[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H312-H313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY JOSE MARIA AZNAR, PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT 
                                OF SPAIN

  (The following address was delivered in Spanish, with a simultaneous 
translation in English.)
  President AZNAR. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Honorable Members 
of Congress, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to begin by thanking you 
most sincerely for the warm welcome you have extended to me this 
morning. I somehow have the feeling that you, like me, are looking 
forward to a short speech.
  As a parliamentarian and as Prime Minister of Spain, I am deeply 
honored to be invited to address the United States Congress. This 
Chamber is a living symbol, admired the world over, of our common 
desire for freedom and democracy.
  I recall the great emotion the people of Spain felt on June 2, 1976, 
when King Juan Carlos I spoke from this very rostrum on the occasion of 
the commemoration of the Bicentennial of American Independence.
  In his speech, His Majesty the King emphasized the important Hispanic 
contribution to the formation and independence of this great Nation.
  We in Spain were going through difficult and delicate times then; and 
from this rostrum, our King set out his vision of a prosperous and 
modern Spain and conveyed the Spanish people's desire for freedom and 
democracy.
  Today, 28 years on, Spain is fully consolidated as a democracy.
  The process of political decentralization, which was set in motion 
with the 1978 constitution, has been completed successfully.
  We are one of the great nations of Europe. Active members of the 
European Union, we are a dynamic, open, and enterprising country of 43 
million people. Once an emigrant society, today we receive immigrants 
from the four corners of the world.
  We are the eighth largest economy in the world today. Central to that 
achievement has been our membership of the European Union. Our economy 
is growing stably and with confidence at a rate above the average of 
our European Union partners. And our economy has generated half of all 
of the jobs created in Europe in recent years.
  The Spain of today knows full well that growth and maturity bring 
responsibilities also. We know that we have to face risks and shoulder 
commitments, commitments that must be met.
  We want to occupy a position in the first line of defense of 
democracy and the rule of law. Alongside friends and allies in good 
times as well as in times of difficulty, we share with you values and 
principles. Let me say that our commitment to freedom is unwavering.
  Equally unwavering has been the commitment of the United States, and 
allow me to pay public tribute here today to the American people for 
the indispensable role that they have played in the fight for democracy 
and freedom.
  For the last 8 years, it has been my privilege to serve as Prime 
Minister of Spain. At all times I have defended the value and validity 
of the Atlantic relationship for the good of Europe, as well as for 
global stability and security.
  During my term in office, I have constantly worked towards that 
objective, firstly with the Clinton administration and more recently 
with the Bush administration. Indeed, one of the greatest personal and 
political satisfactions gained from these years has been the 
relationship I have established and built up with these two great 
Presidents.
  It comes as no surprise, then, that our relations are nothing short 
of exceptional at present.
  The Atlantic relationship strengthens Europeans and Americans alike, 
and it makes the world a safer and freer place.
  In working intensely to further the process of the European Union, 
Spain believes that the process has to be carried forward while at the 
same time preserving and enhancing the Atlantic relationship. It is a 
relationship that lies at the very origins of Europe's construction. 
Having played a part in its development, it necessarily has to be a 
part of its future also.
  That has always been our view, and it still is our view today, just a 
few weeks before 10 new countries join the European Union as members. 
Many of those countries had to endure the tyranny of communism. Many of 
them now look to the Atlantic Alliance to guarantee their freedom.
  As a European, let me say that I have no wish whatsoever for an 
alternative to the transatlantic relationship. I want no alternative to 
the Atlantic relationship. Wanting a strong European Union, as Spain 
does, and being at the vanguard of Europe, as Spain is, does not entail 
working to be a counterpower to the United States. It means working 
towards an Atlantic-minded Europe. Given that we share the same 
principles and values, it is in our common interest to defend these.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, those very principles and values 
came under brutal attack on September 11, 2001. Nothing can make good 
the grief and suffering caused on that terrible day when terrorists 
demonstrated their despicable contempt for human life.

[[Page H313]]

  But the American people responded with an admirable lesson in civic-
mindedness and responsibility. In so doing, and let me make this 
absolutely clear, they penned one of the most beautiful pages of our 
modern era.
  The United States was not the only target of the September 11 
attacks. Terrorism threw down a calculated challenge to the values that 
are core to humanity, freedom, moral decency, compassion, and respect 
for the lives of others.
  Immediately after the attacks, Spain expressed its active solidarity 
and its commitment to the Government and the people of the United 
States. Allow me here in this Chamber to reiterate that solemn 
commitment today.
  Speaking in Madrid a few months before 9/11, President Bush expressed 
America's solidarity with Spain's fight against the terrorism that we 
have had to endure for too long. That solidarity has materialized in 
the form of active cooperation. We will never forget that gesture of 
support. And I will never forget it.
  The United States and Spain would both like to see the United 
Nation's counterterrorism committee play a real and effective role. We 
would like to see a world list of terrorist organizations drawn up and 
approved. We also feel it important to ensure that the voice of the 
victims of terrorism is listened to permanently.

  Just 10 days ago, the first-ever World Congress of Victims of 
Terrorism was held in Madrid. The victims are the moral backbone that 
underpins our fight against terror. They give us valor. They give us 
courage. But at the same time they also call us into account and demand 
results from us. They also demand justice and reparation.
  There can be no justification whatsoever for terrorism. It destroys 
the causes it purports to defend. The political or religious causes 
that terrorism allegedly serves are among its victims also.
  And allow me to say here today that terrorists must be made to 
realize that the only and inevitable outcome is defeat. We derive our 
strength from the moral superiority of democratic systems. And as has 
occurred on past occasions in history, I have no doubt whatsoever that 
freedom will triumph over barbarity this time too.
  Today, in Afghanistan and in Iraq, the most important phase of the 
fight against terrorism is currently taking place. In Iraq, terrorists 
are trying to prevent the Iraqi people from taking their own destiny in 
hand.
  We refused to countenance the repeated violations of international 
law by Saddam Hussein's tyranny.
  We remain committed to Iraq's material and institutional 
reconstruction, and I can guarantee you that we fully intend to see our 
commitments through.
  At this point, I would like to pay a sincere tribute to all those who 
have given their lives in order to restore freedom to the Iraqi people, 
to guarantee the security and consolidate democracy. Our appreciation 
and gratitude will always be with those who have died.
  The fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is 
another common feature of our pursuit of a more stable and freer world.
  Recent progress in the fight against the proliferation of these 
weapons would not have been possible had it not been for the firm 
stance that we have taken.
  Proliferation poses a very real threat to everyone's security. Faced 
with the risk that these weapons might be used by terrorist groups, we 
cannot stand by and do nothing. In addressing this challenge, we have 
to act together and with resolve. To ignore this reality or to evade 
the real issue and the genuine priorities would not only be highly 
irresponsible but would prove extremely costly in terms of our own 
security and freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, the transatlantic link stands for 
freedom, freedom in all areas. And it is thanks to that freedom that 
North America and Europe are the two most prosperous regions in the 
world.
  Experience shows that free trade is a source of economic growth and 
wealth for everyone. That is why I proposed recently, and reiterate 
here today, that we should create a great economic financial and trade 
zone between Europe and the United States by the year 2015.
  I am sure that we can open up a new era of growth and stability that 
would benefit the rest of the world too.
  It is my belief that freedom brings prosperity. That is what I have 
tried to do in my country since 1996 through economic liberalization 
and reforms. It is also the reason why in Europe I have promoted 
initiatives that prioritize above all else liberalization, innovation, 
and improved competitiveness.
  The very close relationship we have forged between our two countries 
includes a Latin American dimension also. For me, Latin America is a 
key continent for my country. Spain is the world's second biggest 
investor in that region behind the United States.
  The countries of the region have made great efforts in recent decades 
to consolidate democratic regimes and free market economies. That is a 
further reason for our desire to strengthen ties between Europe and 
Latin America.
  I am convinced that the Atlantic relationship will not be complete 
until it embraces the American continent in its entirety. For the 
medium and long term, we should set ourselves the joint goal of 
building a veritable community of common values and interests, 
including a large free trade area. And rest assured that Spain is 
willing and ready to work towards that goal.
  The Hispanic communities in the United States represent a source of 
new and, until very recently, unimaginable opportunities for these 
closer ties between the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
  I myself have been a privileged witness to this emerging and very 
promising reality in Texas, New Mexico, California, New York, and 
Florida.
  Mention of Florida necessarily brings me to say something about Cuba 
and its large exiled population. Like so many Spaniards, I too come 
from a family with roots in Cuba. This Caribbean island is one of the 
last remaining anomalies of history, not just in the Americas but 
anywhere in the entire world.

  I would like to reiterate my desire and hope here today that before 
too long Cuba can be welcomed into the fold of free nations.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, honorable Members of the House, as 
Prime Minister of Spain, I have endeavored at all times to harness the 
trust which the people of my country have placed in me for the last 8 
years to help make Spain a safer, more prosperous, more committed, and 
consequently more respected country.
  Relations between our two nations stretch back more than 200 years. 
Spain provided valuable support to the United States in its fight for 
independence. Thereafter, our relations may not always have been 
governed by understanding. However, there has never been a more 
propitious time than the present to undertake grand projects together. 
What we have achieved together in recent years has already served to 
create a strong relationship, a relationship between countries that are 
friends, allies, and partners.
  And in concluding, may I say that in Spain the American people have a 
friend from Europe. In Spain, the United States has a firm, strong, and 
responsible ally. Let us continue to work together, together for the 
cause of democracy and freedom in the world.
  Thank you.
  [Applause, the Members rising.]
  At 11 o'clock and 28 minutes a.m., the President of the Government of 
Spain, accompanied by the committee of escort, retired from the Hall of 
the House of Representatives.
  The Deputy Sergeant at Arms escorted the invited guests from the 
Chamber in the following order:
  The Members of the President's Cabinet;
  The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

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