[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
[September 27, 1994]
[Pages 1633-1634]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Welcoming President Boris Yeltsin of Russia
September 27, 1994

    President and Mrs. Yeltsin, members of the Russian delegation, 
distinguished guests. On behalf of the American people, it is my great 
honor to welcome President Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin and Mrs. Naina 
Yeltsin to Washington for this state visit.
    Mr. President, it wasn't so long ago that Russian-American summits 
were moments of high drama and sometimes disappointing results. The 
people of our countries and from around the world watched nervously as 
their leaders met in a heavy atmosphere of mutual suspicion and fear. 
The fate of the world seemed to hang in the balance of those encounters. 
And success was defined as the avoidance of confrontation or crisis.
    Our moment is quite different but no less important. For these are 
exciting times, times of great opportunity. And we are cooperating to 
seize them for the good of all Russians, all Americans, and all the 
people of the world. Today we meet not as adversaries but as partners in 
the quest for a more prosperous and a more peaceful planet. In so many 
areas, our interests no longer conflict, they coincide. And where we do 
disagree, we can discuss our differences in a climate of warm peace, not 
cold war.
    The Russian-American relationship is at last, remarkably, a normal 
one, full of real accomplishments and genuine promise. Mr. President, 
this evolution in our relations is due in no small part to the peaceful 
revolution you are leading in Russia, one that the United States has 
fully supported. Your steadfastness and courage in the face of difficult 
odds have inspired millions of Americans.
    And you have proved the pessimists wrong. Far from falling backward, 
Russia, under your leadership, is coming together and moving forward. 
Your efforts, of course, could not be successful if you did not have the 
support of a great and courageous people. Here in America, we have known 
the trials and tribulations of history, but the Russian people have 
survived invasions and wars, deprivation and dictatorship.

[[Page 1634]]

And through it all, the Russians have endured, producing uplifting 
poetry and songs, great novels and films, ingenious science and path-
breaking technology. Now, the free and open society you are building 
will allow the Russian people finally to reach their full potential. 
Russia's greatest hours lie before her.
    Mr. President, we are privileged to share a great moment, an 
historic opportunity. When we met in Vancouver over 18 months ago, and 
again in Moscow last January, we vowed to seize that opportunity by 
creating and building upon a new partnership between our two nations, a 
partnership that works. And we have kept that commitment.
    As a result, our missiles no longer target each other's people for 
destruction; instead, they are being dismantled. Our soldiers no longer 
face each other as deadly adversaries; instead, they work together as 
partners for peace. Young Russians and Americans no longer learn to be 
fearful and mistrustful of each other; instead, they study together in 
record numbers. Trade between our countries is no longer stifled by 
export controls and prohibitions; instead, it is growing every day to 
the benefit of both our peoples. In short, our nations are growing 
closer together, replacing suspicion and fear with trust and 
cooperation.
    Mr. President, this summit of ours, unlike its predecessors, is 
about the future, a future in which we will strive to integrate Russia 
and the West, to build a new century of peace in Europe, and a future of 
shared responsibility that comes with vast territory, large populations, 
great power, and democratic values, to use our combined influence and 
authority for the good of the world beyond our borders.
    Together, we have agreed to safeguard nuclear materials and to shut 
down plutonium production reactors. Together, with Ukraine, Kazakhstan, 
and Belarus, we will rid your region of thousands of nuclear warheads. 
Together, we must ensure that all the new independent states achieve 
their rightful place as strong and independent nations in Europe, able 
to chart their own destinies. For that reason, all Americans rejoiced 
and deeply respected your decision to withdraw your troops from the 
Baltic nations.
    Together, we are working to bring peace to Bosnia, to the Middle 
East, to Nagorno-Karabakh. Together, we will build an international 
space station and explore the solar system. Together, we will carry the 
fight against transnational problems like terrorism, environmental 
degradation, and organized crime. Together, we can and we will make a 
difference not only for our own people but also for men, women, and 
children all around the world.
    Mr. President, it is an honor to have you with us. Together, we have 
done well in laying the foundation of trust and security between our two 
peoples. Now let us build on it to secure a future of peace.
    Welcome to the United States.

Note: The President spoke at 10:15 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House.