    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [November 25, 1996]
    [Pages 2149-2150]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 2149]]

    Remarks to the Community at the United States Embassy in Manila
    November 25, 1996

        Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank
    you to my fellow Americans and our Filipino friends who make this
    Embassy run so well.
        I'd like to begin with a special word of thanks to Ambassador
    Hubbard, not only for his introduction but for his extraordinary service
    to our Nation. Before coming to Manila, he was a key member of the team
    that persuaded the North Koreans to freeze their nuclear program. He was
    instrumental in securing the release of an American pilot named Bobby
    Hall. In those ways and many others, he has made a real difference for
    the safety and the security of the United States, the stability of Asia,
    and the future of this part of the world. So, Mr. Ambassador, on behalf
    of all Americans, I want to thank you for the extraordinary job you have
    done for America in so many different roles. Thank you, sir.
        This is my second trip to the Philippines as President, and each
    time, though the visit is brief, I have enjoyed myself immensely and I
    come away very grateful for your hard work and the role you played in
    the success of our trip here.
        I came to Manila to participate in the APEC summit, to build on the
    work we began 3 years ago at the first-ever meeting of the Asian-Pacific
    leaders in Washington State. Each year we have worked hard to move from
    vision to action, with members laying out concrete plans to realize our
    goal of free trade and investment in this whole area by the year 2020.
    I'm especially pleased that today the APEC leaders endorsed the early
    completion of an information technology agreement which would cut to
    zero tariffs a vast array of computers, semiconductors, and
    telecommunications technology by the year 2000. These products are to
    the 21st century what highways and railroads were to the 19th century.
    Or in my recent language, they are a big part of that bridge we have to
    build to the future. They are at the core of America's competitiveness.
        Every year we sell $100 billion in information technology, and that
    sector supports almost 2 million jobs in the United States. So imagine
    if we went to zero tariffs in the entire world, what that would mean to
    America in more exports and higher paying jobs. Imagine also what it
    would mean not only to our Nation and others who produce these products
    but to those who would receive them.
        In this global economy, you know as well as anyone that progress is
    not everyone's partner yet. I have been immensely pleased to see the
    rapid growth in the Philippine economy over the last 4 years under the
    leadership of President Ramos. And I am very encouraged about the
    direction of virtually every place in the Asia-Pacific region. But there
    are millions of people--indeed, hundreds of millions of people--who are
    literally disconnected from this emerging economy because they don't
    have phones or computers or access to all the networks that now are
    powering so much of the transfer of knowledge and opportunity in the
    world. Two-thirds of the people in the world still don't have access to
    a regular phone. Over half the people living today still are 2 days'
    walk from a telephone. There's a lot of opportunity out there, not only
    for those of us who produce these products but for those who will buy
    them and use them. For them it means higher growth, greater security,
    and a brighter future for their children.
        APEC's endorsement of this information technology agreement is a big
    deal. And it is the product of determined, consistent diplomacy, the
    kind you practice here every single day, from commercial promotion to
    consular work to the bonds of friendship and respect you build with our
    Filipino partners.
        In this season of thanksgiving, I really wanted to take just a few
    minutes to tell you how profoundly grateful I am for all the work you
    do. Your efforts may not always make the headlines, but I know how hard
    you work, the sacrifices you make to advance America's interests and
    America's values. I want to thank especially the families who are
    represented here, because we know that you, too, are ambassadors of good
    will for the United States. And I want to thank the Filipino colleagues
    who join us here today. You represent an invaluable part of the
    Embassy's spirit and success.

    [[Page 2150]]

        Finally, let me say that I think you have to become President to
    appreciate the unique bond between the United States and the Philippines
    and to appreciate fully the incredible contribution that Philippine-
    Americans have made to our way of life. As I flew over Corregidor on the
    way back here from Subic Bay and remembered what it was like when I was
    there not so very long ago, I thanked God once again for the Philippine-
    Americans who work for me. Five of them I brought here, on my personal
    staff, my physician; others we left back home.
        It's awfully hot in this climate, but it has not burned the
    character or the goodness out of the people here. It has burned them in,
    and for that I am very, very grateful.
        Thank you, and God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:35 p.m. on the terrace. In his remarks,
    he referred to U.S. Ambassador Thomas C. Hubbard; CWO Bobby Hall, USA,
    whose helicopter was shot down over North Korea in December 1994;
    President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines; and Capt. Connie Mariano, USN,
    the President's physician.