Clinton Administration Faces Challenges on Multiple Fronts

President Clinton prepares to leave on a four-nation European trip, marked by a summit in Naples, Italy, with leaders of the Group of 7 industrialized nations, a significant stop in the Baltics, and celebrations of Poland's and Germany's independence. Meanwhile, back in the United States, the administration is dealing with pressing domestic issues, including health care reform, a growing crisis in Haiti, and the surge of Haitian refugees into the Caribbean.

Key Takeaways:

• President Clinton's European trip will focus on economic issues, including the falling value of the dollar and aid to South Africa, as well as the integration of emerging market economies in eastern Europe.
• The Group of 7 meeting in Naples is unlikely to take concerted action on the dollar, as Japan's new prime minister may not be able to commit to any agreement.
• The administration is divided on the use of military force in Haiti, with the National Security Council and State Department supporting an invasion, while the Pentagon and most Congress members oppose it.
• Health care reform remains a significant challenge, with the Finance Committee in the Senate unable to come up with a bill that achieves universal coverage, a requirement supported by the White House.
• The administration plans to reactivate public campaigns to push its case for health care reform, despite efforts by interest groups and Republicans to attack the bill.

Statistics:

• August 31st: Last Russian troops are expected to leave the Baltics.
• $1 million: Amount of money provided by Ross Perot to fund Republican attacks on the president's health care plan.
• Two weeks: Length of Congress's recess during which the Clinton administration plans to push its case for health care reform.
• 7: Number of industrialized nations represented at the summit in Naples, Italy.

Sources:

• NPR's "Morning Edition"
• The White House