MR. KING: To Tucson, Arizona, for President Clinton. Hello.

Q Hello, Mr. President. First off, I would like to thank you and Mr. King for availing yourselves today via radio to the American people.

MR. KING: Thank you.

Q My question is centered on Asia, most notably, Japan. What will you tell our Ambassador in Japan, Mr. Mondale, to do in Japan to restore the Japanese people's faith on the U.S. and in the U.S. military in relation to the recent rape of a 12-year-old girl by three U.S. military personnel?

MR. KING: Yes, we've got problems there, don't we?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, the case obviously has been very traumatic, as you would imagine. And it's a much more rare occurrence in Japan, unfortunately, than it is here --

MR. KING: Yes.

THE PRESIDENT: -- unfortunately for us.

But I would say to you that we will first of all make it clear that the United States deeply regrets the incident, that we do not condone any misconduct or any abuse of the Japanese people. We think that anybody who violates any laws should be treated accordingly.

But we have been a good partner with Japan. And even though we've had some differences over trade matters -- for example, when we had to have a real conflict over the treatment of automobiles and the auto parts, the Japanese are a great democracy and strong ally for us and our forces have been there now for quite a long time in genuine partnership.

So if they think there's any kind of procedures we ought to take to improve things, we obviously are open to that. But I think as long as they know that we are not turning a blind eye to this, that we are outraged, that our heart goes out to them, they know that we have been a good partner and we respect them and we'll continue to be.

MR. KING: Is Vice President Mondale doing a good job of being up front with the Japanese?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, he's been a terrific Ambassador. He is -- I think it's fair to say that he has exceeded the expectations even of his biggest fans in both showing the Japanese that he -- that we are deeply committed to our friendship and partnership with them, and that we respect them in every way, but that there must be some changes in our trading relationship. He has been very tough and very strong, and at the same time, very supportive of them. He's struck just the right balance.

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