    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [May 27, 1997]
    [Pages 657-658]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Signing Ceremony for the NATO-Russia Founding Act in
    Paris, France
    May 27, 1997

        President Yeltsin gave me this cane; now he's giving it to me twice.
    [Laughter]
        Ladies and gentlemen, on this beautiful spring day in Paris, in the
    twilight of the 20th century, we look toward a new century with a new
    Russia and a new NATO, working together in a new Europe of unlimited
    possibility. The NATO-Russia Founding Act we have just signed joins a
    great nation and history's most successful alliance in common cause for
    a long-sought but never before realized goal: a peaceful, democratic,
    undivided Europe.
        The United States feels a great deal of gratitude today. The world
    my predecessors dreamed of and worked for for 50 years is finally within
    reach. I want to thank President Chirac for his strong leadership in
    making this day possible and for hosting us. I thank President Yeltsin
    for his courage and vision, for his unbelievable capacity to imagine a
    future that is different from the past that imprisoned us. I thank his
    Foreign Minister, Mr. Primakov, for his negotiations in good faith to
    make this day possible. I especially thank Secretary General Solana for
    his brilliant and persistent and always good-natured efforts that made
    this founding act a reality. I thank my fellow leaders of the North
    Atlantic Treaty Organization and especially our senior leader,
    Chancellor Kohl, who has worked longer and paid a higher price for the
    dream of a united Europe than any other leader.
        For all of us, this is a great day. From now on, NATO and Russia
    will consult and coordinate and work together. Where we all agree, we
    will act jointly, as we are in Bosnia where a Russian brigade serves
    side by side with NATO troops, giving the Bosnian people a chance to
    build a lasting peace. Deepening our partnership today will make all of
    us stronger and more secure.
        The historic change in the relationship between NATO and Russia
    grows out of a fundamental change in how we think about each other and
    our future. NATO's member states recognize that the Russian people are
    building a new Russia, defining their greatness in terms of the future
    as much as the past. Russia's transition to democracy and open markets
    is as difficult as it is dramatic. And its steadfast commitment to
    freedom and reform has earned the world's admiration.
        In turn, we are building a new NATO. It will remain the strongest
    alliance in history, with smaller, more flexible forces, prepared to
    provide for our defense but also trained for peacekeeping. It will work
    closely with other nations that share our hopes and values and interests
    through the Partnership For Peace. It will be an alliance directed no
    longer against a hostile bloc of nations but instead designed to advance
    the security of every democracy in Europe, NATO's old members, new
    members, and nonmembers alike.
        I know that some still see NATO through the prism of the cold war
    and that especially in NATO's decision to open its doors to Central
    Europe's new democracies, they see a Europe still divided, only
    differently divided. But I ask them to look again, for this new NATO
    will work with Russia, not against it. And by reducing rivalry and fear,
    by strengthening peace and cooperation, by facing common threats to the
    security of all democracies, NATO will promote

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    greater stability in all of Europe, including Russia. And in turn, that
    will increase the security of Europe's North American partners--the
    United States and Canada--as well.
        We establish this partnership because we are determined to create a
    future in which European security is not a zero-sum game, where NATO's
    gain is Russia's loss and Russia's strength is our alliance's weakness.
    That is old thinking; these are new times. Together, we must build a new
    Europe in which every nation is free and every free nation joins in
    strengthening the peace and stability for all.
        Half a century ago, on a continent darkened by the shadow of evil,
    brave men and women in Russia and the world's free nations fought a
    common enemy with uncommon valor. Their partnership, forged in battle,
    strengthened by sacrifice, cemented by blood, gave hope to millions in
    the West and in Russia that the grand alliance would be extended in
    peace. But in victory's afterglow, the freedom the Russian people
    deserved was denied them. The dream of peace gave way to the hard
    reality of cold war, and our predecessors lost an opportunity to shape a
    new Europe, whole and free.
        Now we have another chance. Russia has opened itself to freedom. The
    veil of hostility between East and West has lifted. Together we see a
    future of partnership too long delayed that must no longer be denied.
    The founding act we signed captures the promise of this remarkable
    moment. Now we must implement it in good faith, so that future
    generations will live in a new time that escapes the 20th century's
    darkest moments and fulfills its most brilliant possibilities.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:20 a.m. at the Elysee Palace. In his
    remarks, he referred to President Boris Yeltsin and Minister of Foreign
    Affairs Yevgeniy Primakov of Russia; President Jacques Chirac of France;
    NATO Secretary General Javier Solana; and Chancellor Helmut Kohl of
    Germany.