    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 20, 2000]
    [Page 497]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 497]]

    Statement on the Observance of Nowruz
    March 20, 2000

        This week people of Iranian heritage around the world will celebrate
    Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Nowruz is a tradition as old as the land
    of Persia, but at the same time it celebrates change and renewal: the
    changing season from winter to spring, a new year and a new beginning.
    It is a time to gather with family and friends and to look toward the
    future. I extend my best wishes for the new year to Americans of Iranian
    origin and to the people of Iran. I hope this season will bring the
    start of a new era of better relations between our two countries.
        Nowruz Mubarak.