[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 1 (Monday, January 11, 1993)]
[Page 1]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on Recognition of the Czech and 
Slovak Republics

 January 1, 1993

    The President today recognized the new Czech and Slovak Republics 
and offered to establish full diplomatic relations. In an exchange of 
letters, Czech Prime Minister Klaus and Slovak Prime Minister Meciar 
welcomed U.S. recognition and accepted our offer of full diplomatic 
relations.
    Both leaders provided assurances that the new states will fulfill 
the obligations and commitments of the former Czechoslovakia and will 
abide by the principles and provisions of the U.N. Charter, the Charter 
of Paris, the Helsinki Final Act and subsequent CSCE documents. They 
also pledged to prevent the proliferation of destabilizing military 
technology, to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, to uphold 
international standards concerning national minorities, and to move 
rapidly to create free-market economies.
    The United States looks forward to full and mutually productive 
relations with the new Czech and Slovak states. We commend both 
Republics for the peaceful means by which their separation was carried 
out. In the interest of ensuring stability and prosperity in the region 
and speeding full integration into the international community, the 
United States urges continued close regional cooperation among the 
states of central Europe.
    Our Ambassador to Czechoslovakia will remain in Prague as the U.S. 
Ambassador to the Czech Republic. We look forward to appointing an 
Ambassador to the Slovak Republic as soon as possible.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.