Scientology, Travolta, Clinton, Germany- Undue Influence

> This morning on NBC's "Meet The Press" televisions show the
> first interviewee was Clinton's national security advisor,
> Sandy Berger.  Near the end of this interview, the topic of
> the Clinton adminstration appearing to appease John Travolta
> on the COS in Germany debate.  When Tim Russert asked Berger
> about the US intervening on COS's behalf in Germany, Berger
> made it clear that they saw a sharp distinction between
> discriminating against a group based only on what they believe
> and discriminating based -->on the _actions_ of a group.<--
> 
> This is a distinction that the Sceinos seem to want to blur
> at every opportunity.  They keep harping that a.r.s. critics
> are anti-religion when the real thrust of the idea is 
> against the immoral and illegal _acts_ of some Scientologists.
> (Especially those at or near the top of the Scieno world.)

Here is an exact transcription of that part of the interview:

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[...]

RUSSERT: "George" magazine has a very interesting piece. Let me show it on
the screen. "For [Travolta], Clinton's follow-through on promises is the
climax of his seduction. The president had vowed to help the actor in the
controversial Scientology debate in Germany - and he did. He went to the
extraordinary length os assigning his national security advisor, Sandy
Berger, to be the administrations Scientology point man. Berger briefed
Travolta..."

What this says, Mr. Berger, is that John Travolta, was seduced by the
president, and has created, a movie called "Primary Colors," which in the
words of "George" magazine, is a "celluloid valentine" to the president,
because you helped him out... on his pet cause of Scientology.

BERGER: Uh, it sounds to me, Tim, like you're getting, you're getting uh,
developing your own conspiracy theories here. Uh, the fact is there has
been an issue about, the treatment of Scientology, in f.. a number of
countries, Germany in particular. The State Department Human Rights
report, was critical of the Germans in terms of discrimination against
Scientologists. I did meet with a delegation including, Mr. Travolta, uh,
to indicate that we would continue, to discuss with the German government,
uh, uh, s.. uh, our our, uh, belief that uh one should not be uh
discriminated against on the basis purely of, of belief. And that's uh,
that's the, long and the short of it.

RUSSERT: Did you or the president hope to influence Mr. Travolta, and make
"Primary Colors" more favorable to the president?

BERGER: Uhh, the only thing I was, trying to get an autograph for my, one
of my kids. But other than that I have no ulterior motive.

RUSSERT: Yet "Time" magazine, uh wrote a cover story, "Scientology: The
Cult of Greed" <holds up "TIME" cover> and said quote "In reality, the
church is a hugely profitable global racket, that, eh survives by
intimidating members and critics in a mafia-like manner." Are you
comfortable with Scientology?

BERGER: This is not a question of uh, a debate over Scientology. Th the,
the State Department, whichever year, does human rights reports in a meh,
in a meticulous, manner... reached the conclusion... that.. the German
government.. uh, was for example denying membership in political parties,
on the basis of.. one's belief. Not on the basis of one's acts, but on the
basis of one's belief. Uh and they were critical of that. Uh, and we've
received a number of uh expressions of concern. There are congressional
resolutions, congressional legislation. I met with a delegation to
indicate that we would continue, to discuss this uh with the Germans, uh,
and, and we will.

RUSSERT: But congress voted three to one, the House voted three to one
against the administration position on this, and and supported the German
government.

BERGER: The admin our our our position at we have no position on the
legislation our position is, that there should not be discrimination
against people on the basis of what, they believe as opposed to on the
basis of what they do. That's not an endorsement of Scientology, or an
endorsement of, uh every practice, uhh.. But uh, I I think.. quite
honestly uhh, this is uh a lot of time to spend on a small matter.

RUSSERT: But isn't it unusual for the national security advisor to brief,
and actor from Hollywood?

BERGER: This is not just Mr. Travolta. This was uhh, a delegation of...
uh, uh.. several people, I, half a dozen people. Uh, who came in, and they
have, and they have been on the Hill, they have been in the State
Department, uhh, and, umm, they uh, uh, wanted to, to uh... I didn't
"brief" them, I explained to them, uh, that we would continue to, uh,
discuss with the German government, uh, uh, our, general view, of th th
that human rights should not be violated.

RUSSERT: Thank you Mr Berger, [...]

  -- "Meet the Press with Tim Russert"
     NBC-TV, 15 Feb 1998

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-Mike