    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 17, 1991]
    [Pages 385-387]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Welcoming Ceremony for President Violeta Chamorro of
    Nicaragua
    April 17, 1991

        President Bush. It gives me great pleasure to welcome to the United
    States a woman of courage, a leader of conviction, a person of morality
    and vision: Mrs. Violeta Chamorro, President of Nicaragua.
        We stand here at the White House almost a year to the day after the
    extraordinary moment when you stood at Managua's National Stadium to be
    sworn in as your nation's first freely elected President.
        What a moment that was. In you we saw the exhilarating victory of
    democracy, of that glorious new breeze that, in one amazing year, swept
    out oppression and dictatorship from Prague to Managua. In you we saw
    your nation's peacemaker, the person who would close the books on 11
    years of cruel civil war.
        In you we saw the symbol of national reconciliation with the inner
    strength and

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    resolve to turn the face of your country toward the path of healing.
        In you we saw what your countrymen saw when they cast their ballots
    in their first fair, open election. We all saw the person who inspired
    her people to believe in the triumphant return of peace and freedom.
        On that Inauguration Day we saw Dona Violeta, candidate of
    compassion, become President Chamorro, leader of reconciliation. On that
    day you closed a painful chapter in your nation's history, and you began
    to forge a new one. The beautiful land of Ruben Dario had been exhausted
    by strife, embittered by repression, polarized by government attempts to
    dominate every single aspect of society, impoverished by a cynical and
    mismanaged regime.
        But you are the leader who once said: ``As a mother, I feel with
    great intensity the obligation to teach while governing and to govern
    while forming peaceful hearts.'' And you've begun to bring life and
    dreams back to your people in your ``mission to help them''--as you call
    it, ``mission to help them.'' Your courageous countrymen are showing
    that they are ready to dig in and work hard to reap the benefits of free
    government and free enterprise.
        Following the course of your slogan, ``Yes, we can change things,''
    your reforms are realistic--restoration of democratic liberties,
    religious freedom, economic reconstruction, free-market opportunities,
    reallocation of military funds to vital economic and social programs,
    and reincorporation of former combatants and refugees.
        But your reforms are also visionary: the restoration of moral values
    and human dignity. The importance of an inheritance for your children of
    reconciliation and respect. And the belief in the goodness of a people
    that still turns for guidance to its patron saint, La Purisima.
        And your reforms, your ``new sun of justice and freedom,'' bring
    hope to the watching world. For with the democratization of Nicaragua,
    we are one crucial step closer to the incredible goal of becoming this
    world's first fully democratic hemisphere.
        We know that the tasks facing the Nicaraguan people are difficult.
    Your economic stabilization plan requires hard choices. Economic reform
    after years of mismanagement is never easy and presents challenges to
    leadership. But sacrifice in the short run is vital to achieve long-term
    growth and development. And we hope that all elements of Nicaraguan
    society will work with you for the good of your country.
        The Nicaraguan people do not stand friendless and alone to face
    these challenges. We are confident that as you confront them, all
    Nicaraguans will enjoy renewed and widely shared prosperity.
        Dona Violeta, I am proud to stand with you, and our nation is proud
    to stand by you. We're offering over $500 million in aid over your first
    2 years as President. And we've joined with other developed countries to
    work with the international financial institutions to help Nicaragua.
    And beyond aid, we're offering opportunities for trade and investment
    that will benefit both our countries through the Enterprise for the
    Americas Initiative.
        And most of all, we're offering something from our hearts to your
    proud country, your blue and white Nicaragua, where, as your national
    anthem says, ``the voice of the cannon no longer roars.'' We are
    offering you our respect, our admiration, and our friendship.
        As your nation renews itself under your leadership, the world shares
    the view of Nicaraguan poet Pablo Antonio Cuadra who wrote about your
    late husband, Pedro Joaquin, who was tragically assassinated for the
    pure passion of his political idealism. Cuadra said of you: ``Pedro's
    flag could not be in better hands.''
        Madam President, your nation is fortunate to have you as a leader. I
    am proud to have you as a friend. We salute you. And may God bless you
    and your proud and courageous land. And welcome to the United States.
        President Chamorro. President Bush, my good friend; Mrs. Barbara
    Bush, my good friend also; ladies and gentlemen. Many years have elapsed
    since the President of Nicaragua has made a state visit to the White
    House.
        It is a great honor for me to be here with you this morning, for it
    represents the es-

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    tablishment of a new and precious relationship between our two nations.
    The genuine friendship extended by a noble country such as the United
    States deserves in turn the friendship of democratic governments that
    respect the rights of their people. For only in this manner can there
    exist a sincere relationship between both nations.
        As we meet today, Mr. President, it is our responsibility as leaders
    of two democratic nations to begin fertilizing the seed of a new
    friendship, a friendship based on our shared belief in democracy and
    mutual respect.
        I would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude
    to the people and Government of the United States of America for the
    assistance they have provided to Nicaragua. That assistance was a
    decisive factor during my first year in office. And now Nicaragua has
    begun to recover from the years of political instability and continuous
    conflict.
        I must conclude by reiterating my government's firm commitment to
    the sacred principles of democracy shared by our peoples. This
    commitment is, and will continue to be, to work towards consolidating
    peace, strengthening our democratic institutions, respecting human
    rights, and putting our economy in order.
        I shall work toward achieving this goal without wavering, because I
    have adopted as my own those universal truths which Abraham Lincoln
    bequeathed to mankind: ``a government of the people, by the people, and
    for the people.''
        God bless and protect the peoples and governments of the United
    States and Nicaragua. Thank you.

                        Note: President Bush spoke at 10:15 a.m. at the
                            South Portico of the White House, where
                            President Chamorro was accorded a formal welcome
                            with full military honors. In his remarks,
                            President Bush referred to President Chamorro's
                            late husband, Pedro Joaquin Chamorro. President
                            Chamorro spoke in Spanish, and her remarks were
                            translated by an interpreter. Following the
                            ceremony, the two Presidents met in the Oval
                            Office.