On the recordMarch 25, 1998
Let me reiterate and say that the Visa Waiver Program does not discriminate against anyone, it applies the same standards to every country in the world. And again I say, as I mentioned a while ago, to reward a couple of countries that have not met the long-established criterion that is objectively applied is like saying to a student who failed the test, we are going to keep lowering the passing grade until we pass you. That is not good for education; it is not good for immigration policy. In the case of Greece and Portugal, two great, wonderful countries, they simply do not qualify. The amendment is not to carve out any kind of a special exemption for those countries.
Source
govinfo.gov
