Bill Clinton: “Well, I think the thing that I'm most concerned about today is the necessity of having growth in every major region of…”

“Well, I think the thing that I'm most concerned about today is the necessity of having growth in every major region of the world to sustain our own. I mean, we're now in a position where about a third of our growth is due to exports, where a significant percentage of them go to Asia. And our own analyses are that the Asian financial crisis, within its present parameters, won't have a terribly destructive impact on the American economy now. But if we had slow growth everywhere at once, it would--which is why I think it's rather important that we support the IMF and have a really disciplined effort to try to help move the Asian countries through this financial period and get them back to growth again. And I feel the same way about what I'm trying to do in Africa as well. I just think that we have to understand that our welfare is more inextricably tied with others than ever before. So that's one of the things that I'm quite concerned about. Japanese Economy Mr. Hunt. In that context, the greatest threat in Asia, most experts think, is Japan. You and Secretary Rubin have encouraged, have cajoled, have pressured the Japanese to try to stimulate their economy, where it always seems to be too little, too late. What are the consequences if that persists, both in Asia and for the United States?”