Newsgroups: soc.motss
From: dbailey@cix.compulink.co.uk (Diane Bailey)
Subject: Conflict on Clinton Order Story
Reply-To: dbailey@cix.compulink.co.uk
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 13:15:00 +0000

Well, we have a very interesting puzzle today, news-wise.

As you probably know, CNN was yesterday carrying a story that
Clinton had instructed Les Aspin, the new Defence Secretary to
instruct the armed services to cease dismissing lesbians and gays
and cease screening applicants, and to prepare an executive order
to end the ban properly.  there was one message on soc.motss
reporting that CNN story yesterday - no mention otherwise of any
other source or any comment.

This would be a big news story here too, since the UK government
is officially refusing to contemplate changing their equally
viscious ban.

So I checked with the Pentagon press office, who flatly denied
anything had happened or that they had heard anything.  She even
sounded surprised to be asked.  So I checked with CNN in London,
who stood by their story.

This morning the somwhat liberal Guadian newspaper has the same
story, along with several other interesting things they say
Clinton decided on his first day.

However the US Embassy Information Centre here have faxed me the
transcript of the press conference Clinton gave yesterday, and
also of the noon daily briefing, on this subject.  The texts
follow.

I can only think that certain favoured media have had inside
briefings about these draft documents and everyone else is
waiting for the official announcements.  But, if so, its a bit
agonising for us and shows unusual restraint by the bulk of the
media on something I would expect them to wish to make a meal
of...


The Guardian, London:  22nd January 1993

Gay troops pledge 'will be honoured'

   | (pars about White House open day)
   |
   Mr Clinton yesterday... paid a campaign debt to the gay
community.
   The new political muscle of the gay community, which voted
nearly 80 per cent for Mr Clinton and raised some $5 million for
his campaign, was rewarded with the message that the new defence
secretary, Les Aspin, has been told to prepare an executive order
that would lift the ban on gays in the US armed forces.
   The pentagon will be instructed within the week to cease the
practice of asking recruits about their sexual orientation, and
of automatically discharging soldiers who are found to be
homosexual.  This will pave the way for the executive order to
lift the ban on gays, whose precise terms are to be agreed wit
the senior officers at the Pentagon, who are deeply unhappy with
this reform.  Nontheless, Mr Clinton has told his staff that the
executive order should be in force within his first 100 days.
   |
   | (pars about appointing Hillary and signing abortion order)
   |
   This is just one sign of the new aroder in Washington.
Another was the staging of the first gay and lesbian ball to
grace an inauguration.  It was a celebration of their new
political force, and a call to arms to pass a new civil rights
bill for America's homosexuals.
   It was the most political of the inaugural balls and it was
also fun, full of one-liners suggesting the city's new tone.

++++++++++++++++++++

Question & Answer: President Clinton

STAFF: Thank you. Thank you all. Lights. Thank you.

** Q Are you going to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military
today?

PRESIDENT CLINTONs (No other questions ?).

(Inaudible cross talk.)

PRESIDENT CLINTON: You'll have so many questions and so many
answers you'll be sick of it before it's over.

Q We haven't had any answers yet. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT CLlNTON: I just gave you one!

END EXCERPT Question & Answer: President Clinton

STAFF: Thank you. Thank you all. Lights. Thank you.

** Q Are you going to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military
today?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: (No other questions ?).

(Inaudible cross talk.)

PRESIDENT CLINTON: You'll have so many questions and so many
answers you'll be sick of it before it's over.

   Q We haven't had any answers yet. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT CLINTON: I just gave you one!

END EXCERPT

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No. 2 of 2-
- Thursday, January 21, 1993
White House Daily Briefing

    MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: I don't believe there are any more today,
Helen.

**  Q How about all these stories on the lifting of the ban on
homosexuals in the military? Is that soon or imminent?

** MR STEPHANOPOULOS: I think the President intends to end
discrimination agaist homosexuals in the military, intends to
meke an announcement on that policy, and it would be very soon,
probably within the next week, but not today.

    Q Is that through an executive order?

    Q Is it the compromise --

    Q Is it through an executive order?

    MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: I believe that he said that in the
campaign, and I believe that that will be part of the
announcement.

**  Q Will it be a two-step process by which homosexuals will not
be discriminated against, will not be thrown out of the military,
but will also be required to follow a code of conduct as do
heterosexuals?

    MR. STEPHANOPOULOS: I can't comment on the substance of the
announcement, but he will be following -- he will be followlng
through on his commitment, and we hope to have the announcement
by next week

    Q Do you thlnk that that fulfills his commitment, if it's
delay and a two-step process?

    MR STEPHANOPOULOS: Absolutely.

END EXCERPT


Looks to me like someone rather well informed, perhaps even
committed asking the quations at that briefing.  Wonder who it
was?

Any comments?  Any other American media reporting this?

And was anyone at that ball?  I want a description and some
pictures!!!!!


Diane Bailey  -   dbailey@cix.compulink.co.uk

"The Pink Paper - The UK National Newspaper for Lesbians and Gay Men"
                  "128,960 readers nationwide"
   .
Newsgroups: soc.motss