THE WHITE HOUSE

                      Office of the Press Secretary
                            (Brasilia, Brazil)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                   October 14, 1997

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM
THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

October 14, 1997

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

In accordance with the Line Item Veto Act, I hereby cancel the dollar amounts of discretionary budget authority, as specified in the attached reports, contained in the "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1998" (Public Law 105-56; H.R. 2266). I have determined that the cancellation of these amounts will reduce the Federal budget deficit, will not impair any essential Government functions, and will not harm the national interest. This letter, together with its attachments, constitute a special message under section 1022 of the Congressional Budget and Compoundment Act of 1974, as amended.

Sincerely,

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

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