[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.