    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [March 15, 1995]
    [Pages 353-354]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Welcoming Ceremony for King Hassan II of Morocco
    March 15, 1995

        Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, members of the Moroccan
    delegation, distinguished guests: On behalf of the United States, it is
    my honor to welcome back to Washington a good friend of America and one
    of the Islamic world's most respected leaders, King Hassan II.
        Your Majesty, the ties that link our two nations go back to the dawn
    of our independence. Before the cornerstone of this White House was
    laid, President George Washington and your ancestor, Sultan Mohammad
    III, signed a treaty of peace and friendship.
        In the decades since, our two nations have sought to live up to that
    treaty's ideals by building on our friendship and working for peace and
    prosperity in your region and throughout the world. Now, much of what we
    have labored for and dreamed of is closer than ever to becoming reality,
    thanks in good measure to your wisdom and to your vision.

        Your Majesty, you have worked tirelessly to secure a lasting and
    comprehensive peace in the Middle East, from helping to arrange
    President Sadat's historic journey to Jerusalem to building trust
    through quiet diplomacy, from establishing ties with Israel to hosting
    the Casablanca economic summit. Now we must accelerate the momentum for
    peace in the Middle East, the momentum which you have done so much to
    nurture and sustain.

        As Morocco and the United States work for peace, we are also forging
    stronger bonds of commerce between our peoples. Morocco has embraced
    free markets, and today your economy stands poised to reap the benefits
    of this wise decision. Your Majesty, I look forward to dis-

    [[Page 354]]

    cussing new opportunities for trade and investment which will support
    good jobs and create wealth in both our nations.
        Your Majesty, under your leadership, Morocco has served as a force
    for tolerance and progress rooted in Islamic values. At a time when
    cooperation and moderation are taking hold in more countries than ever
    before but when violence and extremism still threaten all that we are
    working for, your example and your commitment to peace are more
    important than ever before.
        Your Majesty, the United States is glad to have you as a friend,
    honored to have you as a partner as we work to shape the world for the
    better. Welcome to the White House. Welcome to America.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:46 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House.