    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [February 1, 1996]
    [Pages 120-121]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Welcoming President Jacques Chirac of France
    February 1, 1996

        President and Mrs. Chirac, members of the French delegation, to all
    the distinguished guests here, French and American alike, at the White
    House today: On behalf of the American people, it is my pleasure to
    welcome back to Washington the leader of a great nation and a great
    people, President Jacques Chirac.
        Let me begin by saying that I know I speak for all Americans when I
    express our condolences to the people of France on the loss of our
    friend President Mitterrand, a leader and statesman whose half-century
    of public service made a vast contribution to France and to the world.
        The friendship we celebrate today, the friendship we strengthen
    today, was forged in the very infancy of the United States. Two hundred
    and eighteen years ago this very week, our nations signed a treaty of
    alliance. Today, our partnership and the ideals at its core--life,
    liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, liberte, egalite, fraternite--are
    making a difference to people all around the world. From the Persian
    Gulf to Haiti, from Burundi to Bosnia--France and America, side by side,
    standing for democracy, for progress, and for peace.
        France was America's very first ally. Today, after all these years,
    France remains among our best allies and best friends. Now, at the dawn
    of a bright new century, we must build on our legacy of leadership. To
    expand opportunity for people within our borders, our vision and our
    strength must extend beyond our borders. We must unite our people around
    the promise of peace, as our predecessors joined against the peril of
    war, and that is what we mean to do.
        Together, we are raising the flag of an undivided Europe, where the
    language of democracy is spoken in every land. We are supporting the
    spread of strong market economies across the entire continent. We are
    transforming NATO to meet new challenges and opening its door to new
    members. And I welcome France's his-

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    toric decision to participate once again in NATO's defense councils.
        Together, we are helping Bosnia find its way from war and
    devastation to peace and reconstruction. I salute France, its
    humanitarian organizations, and especially its soldiers for the
    tremendous sacrifices they have made to help the Bosnian people. The
    United States is proud to work with you to help the peace take hold and
    endure.
        Together, we are leading the fight against the forces of
    destruction--the terrorists, the organized criminals, the drug
    traffickers--the forces that threaten our children, our communities, and
    our future.
        Together, we are bringing the great institutions of global
    cooperation into the 21st century, from renewing the United Nations to
    revitalizing the G-7, which France will host in Lyons later this year.
    France and America are partners for progress.
        Mr. President, in your Inaugural Address you declared: ``France is
    an old country. But it is also a young and enthusiastic nation, ready to
    give its best as long as it is shown a horizon instead of walls.'' So
    let our two nations and our two great peoples march toward the future
    together, shaping those new horizons of hope and opportunity for France,
    for America, and for the world.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:47 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Bernadette Chirac, wife of
    President Chirac, and Francois Mitterrand, former President of France.