THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ------------------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release: December 21, 1993 STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT IN RESPONSE TO REP. GEPHARDT'S DECISION TO SUPPORT THE URUGUAY ROUND IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION DECEMBER 21, 1993 I welcome Majority Leader Richard Gephardt's support for the implementation of the Uruguay Round agreement. His statement reflects the fact that we have a strong agreement that promises important benefits for U.S. industry, services and agriculture. The Majority Leader's support will help make it possible to implement the agreement expeditiously, with a strong base of Congressional support. The overriding commitment of this Administration in trade policy has been to open markets and expand trade--multilaterally where possible, and bilaterally where necessary-- and to enforce trade laws against unfair trade practices by other trading nations. The successful Uruguay Round result strengthens our hand in doing so and I look forward to working with the Majority Leader and others in Congress on the implementing legislation. #