    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [November 15, 1999]
    [Pages 2088-2089]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 2088]]

    Remarks to the American Embassy Community in Ankara, Turkey
    November 15, 1999

        The President. Thank you very much. Good morning. Ambassador
    Parris, it's hard for me to say--you may
    know, Mark worked for us in the White House for a long time and, you
    know, it's difficult for me to be sufficiently respectful of him now
    that he's here with this vast array of support. [Laughter] I do want to
    thank you, Mark, and all of you for the wonderful job you've done under
    particularly adverse circumstances. And I thank Ambassador Albright for
    her representation of the United States here in Turkey, after the
    terrible first earthquake.

    China-U.S. Agreement on World Trade Organization Accession

        I think I should give you an explanation for why we're running a
    little late this morning. We have been up late last night and early this
    morning, following the 11th hour of negotiations between the United
    States and China. And I am pleased to say that the United States and the
    People's Republic of China have now successfully concluded a strong
    accession agreement for China to enter the World Trade Organization.
        This agreement is a major step forward in bringing China into the
    WTO and a profoundly important step in the relationship between the
    United States and China.

    [At this point, there was technical difficulty with the room's
    lighting.]

        The President. Somebody apparently doesn't like it very much.
    [Laughter] Have we put too much strain on the lights? [Laughter] Yeah,
    what do you say? Can you guys pick this up with this light if I go on?
    Okay.
        The China-WTO agreement is good for the United States; it's good for
    China; it's good for the world economy. Today China embraces principles
    of economic openness, innovation, and competition that will bolster
    China's economic reforms and advance the rule of law. President Jiang
    Zemin and Premiere Zhu Rongji have shown genuine leadership in committing China to
    open its markets and abide by global rules of fair trade. In opening the
    economy of China, the agreement will create unprecedented opportunities
    for American farmers, workers, and companies to compete successfully in
    China's market, while bringing increased prosperity to the people of
    China.
        The trade agreement is part of a broader agreement, designed to
    bring China into global systems on issues from nonproliferation to
    regional security to environmental protection to human rights. With this
    agreement, the overall relationship between our countries is
    strengthened.
        I want to thank profusely our United States Trade Ambassador,
    Charlene Barshefsky; my National
    Economic Adviser, Gene Sperling; and the
    entire United States negotiating team, including USTR officials Robert
    Novick and Robert Cassidy, for their hard work and dedication.
        On the basis of this excellent agreement, I will do my best, working
    with other countries, to gain China's entry into the WTO and undertake
    an all out effort to work with our Congress to secure permanent, normal
    trade relations with China. This is a very good day for American
    diplomacy.

    American Embassy

        Let me say again to all of you here in Turkey, during the recent
    earthquake, and even in the last few days, when we have seen the
    terrible news of the other quake, it has been profoundly moving to me to
    know that our Embassy was involved with the people of Turkey on a human
    level, as well as on a political and diplomatic level. I am grateful for
    the work that Mission personnel here have done to raise money to aid
    victims of the quake, to organize trips, to give out food, clothing, and
    other supplies. I understand one of your Embassy employees, Azize
    Ozturk, has been particularly active in that,
    and I thank you very much.
        I hope that the visit that we're making this week will inspire more
    Americans at home to join your efforts to help the people of Turkey
    recover from these natural disasters.
        I'd also like to say a special word of appreciation for the role any
    of you have played in the warming of relationships between Turkey and
    Greece. You know, I have long supported the entry of Turkey into the
    European Union. I have long supported the alliance of the West with
    Turkey. But I have always believed that

    [[Page 2089]]

    ultimately there had to be a reconciliation between Turkey and Greece
    and a resolution of the major issues in the Aegean in order for the
    long-term success of this dream that we all share to be assured.
        Every day, everything you do, in ways small and large, to build the
    bonds between our two people is very important. If you look at a map of
    the world and imagine the future in the 21st century, I think it is
    ironic and interesting that this country, at the center of the Ottoman
    Empire, played such a large role for centuries through the empire and
    then in the way that empire broke up after World War I and before--just
    before and after World War I and the way the 20th century worked out. I
    think if you look at the map and underlying political realities, still
    Turkey is going to have a great deal to do with the way the world is in
    the 21st century.
        It is very important that we maintain our partnership and our
    friendship and to continue to make progress on those issues that are so
    important to all of us.
        Finally, let me say to all of you who work here at the Embassy, both
    Americans and Turkish nationals, I am very proud of your work--the daily
    work you do, which may or may not grab the headlines. I understand that
    one of your employees, Sait Otus, just retired
    after 45 years with the United States Government, beginning with USAID
    in 1954, transferring to USIS in 1974. Thank you for those 45 years. We
    are very grateful to you.
        Now, in closing, I would like to present to all of you at the United
    States Embassy here, the State Department's Superior Honor Award,
    recognizing your extraordinary efforts and accomplishments, from
    coordinating relief after the earthquakes to advancing our objectives in
    the region to preparing for this visit which, in some ways, may be the
    biggest headache of all. [Laughter]
        Congratulations, Mr. Ambassador.
        We are adjourned. [Laughter]

    Note: The President spoke at 10 a.m. in the Embassy. In his remarks, he
    referred to U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Mark R. Parris.