    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [May 9, 1997]
    [Pages 584-585]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Reception for Caribbean Leaders in Bridgetown, Barbados
    May 9, 1997

        Governor General, Madam, Prime Minister and Mrs. Arthur, leaders of
    the Caribbean, distinguished guests. First I'd like to thank our hosts
    for their hospitality and the weather. [Laughter] And I'd like to thank
    all of you for agreeing to join in this meeting here in beautiful
    Barbados.
        I'm deeply honored to be the first American President to hold a
    summit with Caribbean heads of government here in the Caribbean. But it
    is high time; America, after all, is a Caribbean nation. Puerto Rico and
    the American Virgin Islands lie in the heart of this region. The bonds
    of commerce among us and the bonds binding our people are strong.
        Today, millions of my fellow Americans trace proud roots to the
    Caribbean. These people have enriched and strengthened the United
    States. We can all be proud that our leadership as a Caribbean
    community, supported by nations around the world, along with the
    determination of the Haitian people, have given Haiti another chance to
    build a democratic future. And we are delighted to have President Preval
    with us here tonight.
        The last time we met as a group was in the White House 3\1/2\ years
    ago on the eve of Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. This hopeful
    moment gives us another chance to meet together and work together. It
    demands that we work together because there are great forces of change
    sweeping our world and our region. We must harness them to our benefit.
    We must meet the host of new challenges before us. And frankly, none of
    us can make the most of the opportunities or deal with the dangers
    alone.
        That's what our meeting tomorrow is all about. We need to ensure
    that the galloping global economy does not trample small economies or
    leave them behind. We must ensure that economic growth and environmental
    protection go forward hand in hand. We must band together to defeat the
    criminal syndicates and drug traffickers that prey on open societies and
    put our children and our very social fabric at risk.
        No nation is so strong that it needs no help from its friends, and
    none is too small to make a real difference. Together we must build a
    new partnership for prosperity and security in the Caribbean, based on
    our common values, aimed at our common dreams. I look forward to the
    work we will do tomorrow and even more to the days of closer and more
    productive partnership ahead.
        Thank you. And thank you for welcoming Hillary and me tonight. Thank
    you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:10 p.m. at the Government House. In his
    remarks, he referred

    [[Page 585]]

    to Barbados Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands and his wife, Lady
    Ruby Husbands; Prime Minister Owen Arthur of Barbados and his wife,
    Beverley; and President Rene Preval of Haiti.