    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [February 26, 1997]
    [Pages 206-207]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Welcoming President Eduardo Frei of Chile
    February 26, 1997

        President Frei, Mrs. Frei, members of the Chilean delegation,
    distinguished guests. On behalf of the American people, I am delighted
    to welcome President Frei back to the United States and to return the
    warm hospitality the people of Chile showed to the First Lady when she
    visited there 2 years ago.
        Today the countries of our hemisphere stand together facing a new
    era. Never have the Americas been more free or more prosperous. Never
    have we had a better opportunity to create a community of nations united
    by shared values and common purpose. Now, by acting together to deepen
    our democracy, to spur economic growth, to strengthen our partnership,
    the United States and Chile can bring concrete benefits to our own
    people, to all the Americas, and to the world and fulfill the promise of
    our times.
        Chile's return to democracy, a heroic and courageous struggle, has
    helped to fuel freedom's march all across our hemisphere. Its economic
    reforms have set the standard for success throughout our region with
    impressive growth, unmatched financial stability, and high rates of job
    creation and the reduction of poverty.
        During the last 3 years, Mr. President, your determination to expand
    opportunity at home and forge new links abroad has displayed the power
    of open societies and open markets to lift the lives of our people. The
    friendship we celebrate today has its roots in the fight for freedom
    that gave birth to both our countries. Almost two centuries ago, in
    1811, that shared heritage was reflected in Chile's decision to hold its
    first national congress on July 4th, the anniversary of our own
    independence.
        Now our ties are bearing fruit in a growing partnership that
    advances our ideals and our interests. Just as we joined hands to help
    peace take hold in El Salvador, we are working side by side to keep
    peace on the border between Peru and Ecuador and to help them reach a
    lasting settlement. Together we are striving to follow the roadmap set
    by our hemisphere's 34 democracies in the Miami Summit of the Americas
    in 1994. We are working to make trade in the Americas more free and
    fair, the key to jobs and growth and opportunity for all our people in
    the next century. And by advancing human rights, fighting drugs, and
    protecting the air and the water we share, we are proving that
    democracies deliver.
        And now our sights are set on the second summit, which Chile will
    host in March of 1998. We must consolidate the historic advance of the
    Americas from dictatorship, war, and command economies to democracy,
    cooperation, and open markets.
        Mr. President, almost 30 years ago your father, President Eduardo
    Frei Montalva, said, ``Great perspectives will open before us if we are
    united.'' Today the United States and Chile

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    are united, and we can see great new horizons of hope all across our
    hemisphere.
        We must take advantage of this historic opportunity to advance into
    the future together, making the success of our efforts to promote peace
    and freedom and prosperity in the Americas a model for all the world.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:16 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House, where President Frei was accorded a formal welcome with full
    military honors. In his remarks, he referred to President Frei's wife,
    Marta.