    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [February 26, 1997]
    [Page 215]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the State Dinner Honoring President Eduardo Frei of Chile
    February 26, 1997

        Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President, Mrs. Frei, members of the
    Chilean delegation, distinguished guests, welcome to the White House.
    Mr. President, I enjoyed our meeting today, especially your perspective
    as a trained engineer committed to building bridges. [Laughter] You have
    more experience and credibility at that than I have, but I am glad to be
    your partner in building those bridges.
        The United States respects the extraordinary accomplishments of the
    Chilean people, the brave struggle to reclaim democracy which has cast
    the light of liberty over your land and over the entire hemisphere. The
    United States respects the extraordinary economic achievements of Chile,
    which have shined the light of hope over your land and the entire
    hemisphere.
        Beyond democracy, you have advanced equality before the law and good
    government. Beyond economic growth, you have advanced fuller
    participation in Chile's prosperity, reducing poverty and increasing
    education so that all may have their chance. Under your leadership,
    Chile is a crossroads for global commerce, a force of freedom and peace,
    a valued partner of the United States in building a better world for the
    21st century.
        Three decades ago, Mr. President, during the time of the Alliance
    for Progress launched by President Kennedy, your father made plans for a
    state visit to our country. That visit never came to pass. And in the
    years that followed, the bright hopes that our nations had for
    cooperation in our hemisphere went unrealized. Now we stand at a moment
    of unprecedented promise for the Americas. Just as you donned your
    father's ceremonial sash when you took office, you have completed the
    journey to the United States that he once set out to make.
        Now we must make our bold journey into tomorrow together. Mr.
    President, I gave a book of poems by your great Chilean poet Pablo
    Neruda to my wife for our 20th wedding anniversary. In his ``Ode to the
    Sea,'' Neruda wrote these words that speak to us tonight across the
    years: ``We'll put the affairs of mankind in order, big things first,
    then all the rest. We will make you see an Earth, we will make you
    perform miracles, because inside us, inside our struggle is our daily
    bread, our fish, and our miracle.''
        Mr. President, you have put big things first: democracy, justice,
    freedom, the future. In so doing, you have given the Chilean people the
    chance to reach deep within themselves to perform miracles.
        Tonight it's my great honor to ask all those here present to join me
    in toasting you, Mrs. Frei, people of Chile, and the bright promise of
    our partnership.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:57 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to President Frei's wife,
    Marta.