Bill Clinton: “Good morning. On Monday, I leave for Tokyo for the G- 7 summit, where the world's leading economic powers will seek to…”

“Good morning. On Monday, I leave for Tokyo for the G- 7 summit, where the world's leading economic powers will seek to build a new era of global growth. While international summits were once dominated by the drama of the cold war confrontation, today we compete in a quieter field, the world of global economic competition. Now that the cold war is over, we see the opportunity around the world and in this country to reduce defense spending rather dramatically and to devote our attention to rebuilding our country here at home. But we know now clearly, since defense has been coming down since 1987, that this is not an unmixed blessing in the short run for Americans here at home. Among other things, reduced defense spending means reduced spending on defense contracts. And people, therefore, who work in defense plants are affected by it. And it is impossible to reduce the number of men and women in the armed services without an appropriate reduction in the base structure of the United States at home and abroad. That is the difficult and painful, but important work the base closing commission has had to do. I have received their latest report, and I have decided to forward that report on to Congress. As I transmit that report to Congress, I am ordering an unprecedented Federal effort in the form of a new five-point program to ensure that when we close these bases we also open a new and brighter economic future for the affected workers and their communities. And this week my administration announced that we were going to shut down not only the bases implied in the base closing commission, but also some 90 bases overseas, to be fair and also because our interests are served by that. These five points are as follows: First, we will provide an average grant of a million dollars to each community affected by a major base closing. Second, we will establish for the first time a single Federal coordinator for each community so that all the resources and opportunities that attend this reconstruction effort can be made available as quickly as possible. Third, we will establish a fast-track cleanup program for environmental problems. This has been an enormous problem in the past in trying to move bases to commercial uses. Fourth, we will establish a fast-tract disposal of Federal property emphasizing those uses most likely to create new jobs for the communities affected by base closings. And finally, we will have a coordinated effort to pool all Federal resources giving all the affected communities easier access to Federal assistance. Compared to the past, we will respond more quickly, cut redtape more aggressively, and mobilize resources more assertively to help these communities so that when they lose their bases they do not lose their future. In the past, base closings forced communities to cope with a jarring economic upheaval without tools or resources. Many bases were heavily polluted, the cleanup seemed to take forever. Redtape and bureaucracy frustrated local officials when they sought help. And people in the community saw an employer of thousands turn into a destroyer of economic security. For communities from coast to coast affected by base closings, the Federal Government will now work aggressively to help these patriotic citizens, cities, and towns prosper. We will help them to use their valuable assets as engines of economic growth. This Governmentwide effort will cost over $5 billion in the next 5 years. We will respond rapidly and spend money more wisely. Let me give you one vivid example of this new approach. Current law actually requires the Federal Government to charge communities full price for these closed bases if they are used for job creation and economic development. But the Government could give away a base for free for recreational uses. That gets it backwards. I believe if a community has pulled together and produced a real plan for job creation and economic growth, the Federal Government must pitch in by giving that base to the community at a discount or, in some cases, even for free. Today I am directing the Department of Defense and the National Economic Council to write a legislative proposal within 90 days allowing us to give job creation and economic development the highest priority in the disposition of these assets. This law will be a sizable commitment by the Federal Government. These bases are worth, in some instances, hundreds of millions of dollars. But it's the least we can do for the communities and the people who supported our troops. To avoid bureaucratic confusion, one week from now we will appoint a team of transition coordinators, senior military personnel who will slash redtape and untangle bureaucracy to help these communities. Cleanup will proceed faster than before. We've increased the size of planning grants to help communities map out their future. And a creative worker training program will visit the bases within the next 2 weeks to let workers know of their opportunities. Even with all these aggressive efforts the closing of a military base, as with any large employer, will inevitably be traumatic for the host community. And I cannot promise that every job will be saved. But this will be a great test for our Nation. Over the past 50 years these communities have literally hosted millions of American men and women in uniform who were defending our freedom. When we needed them, these cities and towns did their duty. When they need us today, we can do no less. And I am confident that we will be able to make dramatic progress. I'd like now to introduce the Defense Secretary to make a couple of remarks. I see you raising your hands. We have four other Secretaries who have briefings to give, but after Secretary Aspin speaks, I will take a couple of questions on this subject. You'll have access to me I think later on other matters, but on this subject I will take a couple of questions. But I would like the Secretary of Defense to speak first. [At this point, Secretary Les Aspin outlined the defense conversion program.]”