2NOT FOR RELEASE - FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY                  AG
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1996                          (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

       ATTORNEY GENERAL TO KICK-OFF THURSDAY AVAILABILITY 
            BEFORE DEPARTING FOR TRIP TO PUERTO RICO 

    Reno To Make Statement Opposing Assault Weapons Ban Repeal

     WASHINGTON, DC--Attorney General Janet Reno will open her
weekly availability on Thursday, March 21, with a statement
opposing new congressional efforts to repeal the Clinton
Administration's ban on assault weapons.  Associate Attorney
General John Schmidt will answer reporters' questions following
her statement.

               The availability will be held in Conference 
               Room B, Main Justice Building at 9:30 am.

     Immediately following her statement, Reno will leave for a
trip to Puerto Rico on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22,
1996.

     On Thursday, she will address the Plenary Dinner of the
Puerto Rican Governor's Drug Conference on coordinating federal
and state efforts to combat drugs and crime at the Caribe Hilton
Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico at 8:00 pm.

     On Friday, Reno will address and officiate the opening
ceremony of the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area)
Office, #23, "A" Street, Mario Julia Industrial Park, Puerto
Nuevo, Puerto Rico at 10:15 am.

     The Attorney General will also attend a youth crime event on
Friday with Mayor Hector Luis Acevedo, Avenida Rosevelt, No. 208,
Puerto Nuevo, Puerto Rico at 11:30 am.  

     Also on Friday, Ms. Reno will address and accept an Honorary
Degree from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School
of Law, Federico Costa 85, Sector Tres Monjitas, Hato Rey, Puerto
Rico at 1:30 pm.

                              # # #

NOTE:  Thursday morning's availability is open to federally
credentialed reporters only.  T.V. coverage will consist of a
network pool arrangement.  A live feed is available through a
mult box in the Andretta Room, located on the first floor of the
Main Justice Building.

NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, AND MAY
NOT BE RELEASED OR DISTRIBUTED. 
                                 
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