Statement by the President: Child Soldiers (7/27/00)

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Statement by the President: Child Soldiers (7/27/00)

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                              THE WHITE HOUSE

                       Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2000


                        STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

     This week, I sent to the Senate two historic United Nations Protocols
that will protect the world?s children in unprecedented new ways.

     Over the past seven years, I am proud of the work we have done with
Congress on a bipartisan basis to stand up for young people and protect the
dignity and rights of children around the world.  These two protocols will
build on that work.  One of these agreements prohibits the forcible
recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.  The other protects
children from slavery, prostitution and pornography.  Together, they
represent a large step forward in the international effort to eliminate
abuses committed against our children and keep them safe.

     Both of these agreements were adopted by the UN General Assembly on
May 25th, and the United States was among the first nations to sign them.
I was pleased to see that both the Senate (on June 7th) and the House of
Representatives (on July 11th) expressed their support for the Protocol on
the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.  Neither agreement will
create obligations for the United States under any international agreement
to which we are not a party.  I am hopeful that the Senate will act quickly
and give its advice and consent to both of these agreements by the end of
the year.

                                 30-30-30

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