    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 16, 1998]
    [Pages 581-582]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 581]]

    Remarks at a State Dinner Hosted by President Eduardo Frei
    Eduardo Chile in Santiago
    April 16, 1998

        Mr. President, Mrs. Frei, members of the
    Chilean Government, citizens of this great nation: On behalf of my wife,
    our administration, the Members of Congress and our entire party, I
    thank you for the warm welcome we have received. And I understand that I
    should thank you in advance for your patience because the great
    gathering of this coming week will probably create the biggest taco in
    your history. [Laughter] For those in our delegation who don't know,
    that means ``traffic jam.''
        Mr. President, it was just over a year ago that Hillary and I hosted
    you and Martita for a state visit in Washington.
    On that trip you delivered a powerful address to a joint session of our
    Congress. Now I will have the opportunity and the honor of addressing
    your Parliament tomorrow.
        The short time between our visits reflects the growing strength and
    the growing importance of our relations. Chile is admired in the United
    States and around the world for its natural beauty, its writers and
    artists, its athletes, its leadership in seeking peace in volatile
    regions, its remarkable economic growth and stability, and the bravery
    of your people in restoring longstanding democracy after two turbulent
    decades.
        That Chile is host to the second Summit of the Americas shows the
    esteem in which your country is held in this hemisphere. It also
    demonstrates, Mr. President, the great respect you have earned among
    your fellow leaders who are proud to be coming here for this meeting.
        Some see you, Mr. President, as a man of calm reserve; a civil
    engineer who, as you just said, expertly builds bridges to improve the
    lives of your fellow citizens. But it seems to me there may be another
    side to you. It is said that you love opera and the tango--hardly the
    stuff of dry engineering. [Laughter] And when you addressed our Congress
    last year, the first person you quoted was not some gray-suited
    economist but that great political leader Don Quixote de la Mancha. The
    words of the noble Don you selected go to the core of our shared values,
    so let me repeat them tonight: ``Freedom is one of the most precious
    gifts Heaven bestows on man. All the treasure of Earth cannot equal
    it.''
        Mr. President, we have seen that like your father before you, you
    care passionately about the freedom of your people and about the least
    fortunate in your society. I'm sure your father was in your thoughts
    when, in your very first address as Chile's President, you pledged to
    bring hope and dignity to the poorest of your fellow citizens. You've
    worked hard to ensure that your growing prosperity will benefit not just
    the few but everyone. And Mrs. Frei deserves
    great credit for her active work on behalf of the poor, women and
    children, and Chilean artisans.
        The United States wants to deepen our partnership with Chile across
    the whole range of challenges and opportunities we share, strengthening
    democracy, improving education, protecting the environment, preserving
    the peace, and yes, expanding trade. Our meeting today furthered all
    these goals. I know we will continue to do the same. So much is at
    stake. Working with the Chilean people and with you, Mr. President, is a
    great honor for me, my Government, and our citizens.
        In the darkest days of the past year, when dissent was suppressed,
    when people were denied a meaningful vote and true leaders denied the
    chance to lead, the Chilean people never abandoned hope that one day
    things would get better. Now, because of your hope, the courage, the
    vision of your leadership, and your people, things are, indeed, better--
    much better. Better in a way that is a beacon of hope to people
    throughout this hemisphere, and, indeed--perhaps more than you know--
    throughout the world.
        Now the United States and Chile celebrate together the precious
    gifts of freedom and prosperity, and our determination to support
    democracy and to advance prosperity all across the Americas and
    throughout the world.
        For all that you have done and the reception we have received, and
    for all that we must do together for tomorrow, I am honored to invite
    all of you to join me in a toast to the President, the First Lady, and the people of Chile.

    [[Page 582]]

    Note: The President spoke at 9:20 p.m. in La Moneda Palace. In his
    remarks, he referred to President Frei's wife, Marta.