President Clinton Addresses MCI WorldCom Employees And High Tech Leaders On The Importance Of Free Trade In China

Ashburn, Va., March 1, 2000-President Clinton today visited MCI WorldCom's Northern Virginia Operations Center to address MCI WorldCom employees and local technology leaders on the need for Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China and the importance of technology growth in the Asia Pacific region. The President emphasized the benefits that China's accession to the World Trade Organization will bring to the information technology sector. The White House chose MCI WorldCom because of its vital role in the growth of the Internet throughout the world. "The Internet is an instrument of human liberty," said President Clinton. "Look how much the Internet has changed America; it could do the same for China."

In addressing the group, the President was joined by Bernard Ebbers, president and CEO of MCI WorldCom, John Sidgmore, vice chairman of MCI WorldCom and chairman of its UUNET subsidiary, Mark Spagnolo, president and CEO of UUNET, and Melissa Pizzo, vice-president and general manager of service delivery at UUNET.

"President Clinton's visit here today demonstrates the importance of the Internet in bringing the world together," said Ebbers in remarks to the President and 2,000 employees in attendance. "Welcome to Ground Zero of the communications explosion."

Clinton also praised MCI WorldCom calling it "a symbol of 21st century America" and said that the company's growth "shows the power of imagination and enterprise."

Prior to the speech, Clinton toured the company's new Network Operations Center and later met with a number of local technology leaders to further discuss the benefits of trade with China.

MCI WorldCom currently has a presence in 12 countries in Asia, including wholly-owned networks in Japan and Australia. The company recently opened operating companies in South Korea and Taiwan, and a Global Network Operations Center in Hong Kong, the location of MCI WorldCom and UUNET's regional headquarters.