    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [April 8, 1997]
    [Page 402]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Welcoming Prime Minister Jean Chretien of Canada
    April 8, 1997

        Prime Minister and Mrs. Chretien, members of the Canadian
    delegation, distinguished guests, it is a great honor and personal
    pleasure for me to welcome to Washington the Prime Minister of Canada,
    Jean Chretien, leader of a land of great beauty and bounty and a great
    and good people.
        When Hillary and I visited Ottawa in 1995, the Prime Minister and
    the Canadian people made us feel as if we were family. The personal
    working relationship I have established with the Prime Minister for
    nearly 4 years now has made us good friends.
        Today we celebrate one of history's most remarkable partnerships,
    for if nature has made us neighbors, we are friends and allies by
    choice. The close cooperation between our two nations should be a model
    for the world in the 21st century. Every day, 250,000 people and nearly
    $1 billion in trade cross our border. From the snowy Yukon to the shores
    of eastern Maine, our border does not divide our people; it joins us as
    partners and friends, with more and better jobs, cleaner air and water,
    the comforting knowledge that our freedom is jointly guarded and
    defended. Together we are working to shape the force of change to serve
    our region and our world, expanding trade throughout the Americas,
    exploring the mysteries of space, speaking out for freedom, and standing
    up for peace from Bosnia to Haiti. In a world where suffering too often
    results because people cannot live with others different from
    themselves, Canada's compassionate, tolerant society inspires us all
    with hope.
        A Canadian Ambassador to Washington once said that summits between
    our nations are a time to set the beacon jointly. Under your wise
    leadership, Mr. Prime Minister, relations between the United States and
    Canada have never been closer or more constructive. As we stand on the
    threshold of a new millennium, let us raise our beacon high. Let us
    build a future of peace and prosperity, of freedom and dignity for our
    continent and beyond.
        Mr. Prime Minister, welcome to the United States.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:22 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House, where Prime Minister Chretien was accorded a formal welcome with
    full military honors. In his remarks, the President referred to Prime
    Minister Chretien's wife, Aline.