[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
[January 8, 1996]
[Page 18]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 18]]


Statement on the Death of Francois Mitterrand
January 8, 1996

    I learned with deep regret this morning of the death of former 
President of France Francois Mitterrand. During his 14 years as 
President of the French Republic and in frequent service as a minister 
in the post-war years, President Mitterrand put his remarkable intellect 
and deep-rooted dedication to democracy at the service of the French 
nation.
    Not only France but the United States and the entire world benefited 
from his strong and principled leadership. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder 
with his NATO allies during the Soviet challenges of the early 1980's, 
the Gulf war, and the peaceful revolutions that ended a half-century of 
East-West confrontation. President Mitterrand's stalwart leadership 
during some of the Alliance's greatest challenges leaves the people of 
Europe with a hard-won legacy of peace.
    I consulted frequently with President Mitterrand, as did my 
predecessors, and greatly valued his insights, advice, and wisdom. He 
was a man of vision whose strength helped bring Europe and the West 
through a period of tough confrontation to the peaceful, undivided 
Europe we are building today.
    Hillary and I join the American people in expressing heartfelt 
sympathy to the people and the Government of France and to Danielle 
Mitterrand and the Mitterrand family. We hope the sorrow of this 
difficult time will be eased by an appreciation of the profound 
contribution that President Mitterrand made to his nation and the world. 
He was a great statesman.