Clinton Kicks Off European Tour

Bill Clinton kicked off a post-presidential tour of Europe in the Netherlands Monday at a conference where guests paid thousands of dollars to hear his views.

But journalists could not get in at any price.

Before his speech, Mr. Clinton mingled with about a dozen guests who paid $10,000 each to have lunch with him, discussing the U.S. economy and denouncing President Bush's tax plan as a "short-term solution" that would hurt the social security system, participants said.

He also told his lunch companions that his allergies were acting up but that he's sleeping more now that he's out of office, said Dutch businessman Harry Mens.

"He was very relaxed. It was like talking to your neighbor about the fence," Mens said. "It was worth the money."

It was the former president's first appearance outside the United States since leaving the White House.

At the request of Mr. Clinton's office, organizers canceled invitations to the media to cover the 45-minute speech. Leo van der Kant, of the public relations firm handling the event, said the media ban had to do with the uproar over Mr. Clinton's pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich on his last day in office.

The press also has been banned from covering Mr. Clinton's appearances later this week in Denmark and Germany. Last week, reporters were kept out of his talk to hotel owners in Atlantic City, N.J.

Arriving 30 minutes late Monday, the former president strode into the hotel venue, waving in the direction of a lone supporter and a battery of journalists. A Dutch reporter who shouted a question at Mr. Clinton was evicted from area.

Van der Kant did not disclose how much the former president was being paid. Corporate executives and members of the Dutch government each paid about $1,200 to attend the speech.

Mr. Clinton was due to meet Dutch Queen Beatrix and Prime Minister Wim Kok Monday afternoon before continuing on his European trip. The next stop is Germany.

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