    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [May 5, 1997]
    [Pages 541-542]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Departure for Mexico and an Exchange With Reporters
    May 5, 1997

        The President. Good afternoon. As you all know, I'm about to leave
    on a weeklong visit to our closest southern neighbors, Mexico, Central
    America, and the Caribbean. It's the first of three trips I'll take in
    our hemisphere over the next year. I'd like to say a few words about
    what I hope to accomplish and why the Americas are so important for our
    own security and prosperity in the 21st century.
        Little more than a decade ago, our neighbors were plagued by civil
    wars and guerrilla insurgencies, coups and dictators, closed economies
    and hopeless poverty. Now we face a far different moment, a moment of
    truly remarkable possibility. Every nation in our hemisphere but one has
    embraced both free elections and open markets. The region's growing
    economies have become our largest trading partners. Already we export
    twice as much to the Americas as to Europe and nearly half again as much
    as to Asia.
        A partnership is emerging between the United States and the Americas
    based not only on history, geography, and culture but increasingly on
    shared interests and values and a shared commitment to a common future.
    More than ever before, we are working with our neighbors on the basis of
    mutual respect to make a difference on issues that matter most to people
    in their daily lives: creating good new jobs by opening markets and
    spurring growth, improving education to prepare our people to succeed in
    the global economy, making our water clean and the air clean for our
    children, facing up to problems we cannot defeat alone like drugs,
    crime, and corruption.

    [[Page 542]]

        But while the trend in the Americas is positive, clearly the
    transition is not complete. If we want citizens to make a lasting
    commitment to democracy, peace, and open markets, we must support them
    in gaining confidence that they have made the right choice.
        Three years ago, at our historic Summit of the Americas in Miami,
    the leaders of this hemisphere mapped out a concrete plan to lock in the
    democratic gains the Americas have made and to see that they work for
    all of the people. This week we will continue to advance that plan.
    Together, we can strengthen the institutions of democracy and promote
    respect for human rights. We can broaden the benefits of open and fair
    trade. We can shore up the stability of nations that have renounced war.
    We can combat the drugs and crime and environmental degradation that
    threaten all our futures. And we can open the doors of education to
    more, so that they can have the skills they need to make the most of
    their own lives.
        It is fitting that this trip should begin in Mexico. We share one of
    the broadest and deepest relations of any two nations on Earth. Beyond
    the 2,000-mile border that joins us, beyond the strong bonds of trade
    that benefit both our people, we must cooperate as never before to find
    common solutions to common problems.
        Our partnerships with Mexico and with the other nations should be
    the foundation of our own freedom, stability, and prosperity in the 21st
    century, an engine for economic growth and jobs, a sword in the fight
    against transnational threats that respect no borders, an example to the
    world that democracy and open markets actually deliver for those who
    embrace them. If we continue to shape the future of our hemisphere, the
    Americas will prosper and so will America.
        Thank you.

    Director of Central Intelligence Nomination

        Q. Mr. President, given the frustrations of what Tony Lake went
    through for his nomination, are you confident that George Tenet will
    sail through on his nomination--confirmation process?
        The President. I believe he will be confirmed. I sure do.

    Flood Aid Legislation

        Q. Mr. President, while you are gone, the House and Senate are going
    to take up the legislation regarding the flood aid. Are you still
    threatening to veto that? Do you still feel a need to, especially with
    the budget deal?
        The President. I have no reason to change the position I adopted.
        Q. But people are waiting for that aid.
        The President. That's right, and that's why Congress ought to pass
    it unencumbered.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:21 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House.