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Amtrak at Twenty
Graham Claytor, president of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation and head of Amtrak, spoke to a National Press Club luncheon on the twentieth anniversary of Amtrak, the national passenger rail system. When Amtrak began, it inherited a number of crumbling, financially strapped railroad companies which were operating with huge deficits. Today, Amtrak boasts a record number of annual passenger miles, operates at only 23 percent of the annual loss of 1970, and aims to break even by the year 2000. Mr. Claytor discussed the beginnings and traced the history of Amtrak from 1970 until today.…
Type: Media
Peace in the Middle East
Mr. Sharon, Israeli housing minister, discussed the path to peace in the Middle East and the role of Israel in the peace process. In order to attain peace, which Mr. Sharon believes is possible, he said Saudi Arabia and Kuwait must both negotiate directly with Israel to create a fair peace agreement, since their foreign affairs directly affect Israel. He also called for an end to the arms escalation in the Middle East, and discussed other issues such as the problem of water distribution among the countries. Mr. Sharon said the only real solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees is to…
Type: Media
Taking Apartheid Apart: A Free South Africa
Mr. Hani is the highest ranking member of the African National Congress to visit America since Nelson Mandela's visit in June 1990. He is on a ten-day tour to visit members of Congress, State Department officials and anti-apartheid activists to gather support for the continued efforts to abolish apartheid in South Africa. Congress will be holding hearings on April 30 to assess the impact and the future of sanctions against South Africa as mandated by the Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986. Mr. Hani discussed the status of talks between the ANC and the South African government of Pres. F.W. De Klerk.…
Type: Media
Russian Prime Minister
Prime Minister Silayev spoke before reporters at the National Press Club about his visits with congressional leaders during his trip to the United States. Mr. Silayev is the first prime minister of Russia since Russia adopted sovereignty and instituted a parliamentary system of government. He is also a close ally of Boris Yeltsin, political opponent of Soviet President Gorbachev. In his remarks, Ambassador Silayev discussed the structure of the new sovereign government in Russia, and outlined the policies of the new Russian state. He named the transformation of the economy to a market economy…
Type: Media
New Wildlife Policy for Kenya
Dr. Leakey talked about wildlife preservation. He said that prior to his appointment, certain animals, like the African elephant and the white rhinoceros, were being poached almost to the point of extinction. By killing and selling the ivory tusks of just one elephant, a poacher could earn the nation's average annual income. Under his direction, during an eight month period in 1990, 26 elephants were killed, compared to the same period two years earlier when more than 2,000 were killed. He said the country's poverty has much to do with the possible extinction of species within Kenya. Dr.…
Type: Media
Romanian Economic and Democratic Developments
The Prime Minister talked about the social, economic, and political future of Romania. He concentrated on the economic reforms that have occurred since the "legitimate government" was installed on 28 June 1990. He said that an important reform occurred six weeks ago when the government fully privatized 80 percent of the arable land. Mr. Roman also spoke of how the democratic political process is intertwined with the economic development. He said that the parliament especially works well. Prime Minister Roman is in the United States to talk with government and trade officials as well as…
Type: Media
American Economic Policy
Former Senator Tsongas spoke to the National Press Club on his unannounced candidacy for the presidency in 1992. Sen. Tsongas, who is expected to officially announce his candidacy for the 1992 Democratic nomination for president on April 30, is the only Democrat other than Gov. Wilder of Virginia who has openly sought consideration for the nomination. In his remarks, the former senator spoke on his reasons for running, including a desire to provide debate on important national issues, including the national debt and the trade deficit. He also mentioned his book, A Call to Economic Arms, a…
Type: Media
Taxing the Rich: The Capital Gains Tax
The two speakers presented their views on capital gains tax legislation in a debate format. The question was: Should capital gains be the subject of the same taxation as ordinary income? From the 1920s through 1986 with the passage of the Tax Reform Act, capital gains were taxed at a rate lower than ordinary income. Proponents of a capital gains differential, as represented by Richard Lesher, contend that a reduction of the tax will stimulate economic growth, create new jobs, and encourage new capital formations and increase federal revenue. Opponents, as represented by Rep. Dorgan, argue…
Type: Media
District of Columbia Statehood
Jesse Jackson, Washington DC's "shadow" senator, spoke to the National Press Club luncheon about statehood for Washington, DC. Rev. Jackson warned that "phase two" of the Persian Gulf war would cost the United States even more than the military conflict: to maintain a "new world order" within the global community. He said the U.S. cannot justify military expenditures abroad while social ills such as poverty and homelessness remain at home. Rev. Jackson called for statehood for Washington DC on the grounds that the lack of representation of DC's population is contrary to the ideals the U.S…
Type: Media
Kurdish Human Rights
Mr. Al-Karadaghi is a former minister in the diplomatic service of Iraq. He spoke of the current plight of the Kurdish minority in Iraq in the wake of the Persian Gulf war and ensuing Iraqi civil unrest. He also commented on the recent United Nations Security Council's vote condemning Iraq from human rights abuses against the Kurds. He described the Kurds migration to the borders of Iran and Turkey, where he estimates 1.5 million Kurds have gathered The Kurds are fleeing because the Iraqi army has been attacking and killing Kurds from the air and on the ground day and night, according Mr. Al-…
Type: Media