    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 46 (Monday, November 21, 1994)]
    [Pages 2375-2376]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at a State Luncheon in Manila

    November 13, 1994

        President and Mrs. Ramos, former President Macapagal, former
    President Aquino, distinguished members of the Philippine Government,
    members of the business community here, members of the diplomatic corps,
    my fellow Americans who are here: Let me begin by thanking President
    Ramos and Mrs. Ramos for making Hillary and me and all of our delegation
    here feel so very welcome on our all too brief but very enjoyable and
    very important visit to the Philippines.
        One hundred thousand Americans call the Philippines home. And now,
    about 1\1/2\ million Filipinos call the United States home. Indeed, I
    was trying to count up all the Philippine-Americans I brought with me on
    this

    [[Page 2376]]

    trip, and I lost count. But we have people here from the Agency for
    International Development; we have three of my Navy stewards; my
    personal physician, Dr. Connie Mariano; and of course, the executive
    with the Export-Import Bank, a long-time friend of yours, Mr. President,
    Maria Louisa Haley. We're all glad to be here, but those with roots here
    in the Philippines are the happiest of all to be home. You have made us
    all feel at home, and we thank you for that.
        We have worked together in many ways over a long period of time.
    President Ramos just described the 50th observation of our partnership
    in the Second World War. I have heard a very moving account of the
    events of last October from Secretary of Defense Perry and General
    Shalikashvili. General Ramos' Philippine soldiers also fought side by
    side with Americans in Korea and in Vietnam. And you were there, sir, in
    both conflicts. We thank you for that individually and for your country.
        During the cold war, the United States led an effort to stand
    against the tyranny of communism. You were our partner then. In the last
    several years, you have led the world in the sweeping resurgence of
    democracy, beginning 8 years ago when you and others exposed yourselves
    to considerable risks to stand up for freedom here in your own country,
    following through with the remarkable People Power Movement of President
    Aquino, where people held flowers in the face of tanks and captured the
    imagination of the entire world.
        And now, sir, under your leadership we see the Philippines moving
    forward, respecting the dignity, the rights of all people and
    aggressively pursuing a modern economic program designed to bring
    prosperity to all the tens of millions of people who call these
    wonderful islands their home.
        You know, President Ramos is a fitting leader for this time. We know
    in America that in 1946--he doesn't look that old--[laughter]--but in
    1946, he won the only Filipino scholarship to the United States Military
    Academy. I met several others of you who graduated from West Point here
    today, and all of you know that when one graduates from West Point, he--
    and now she--becomes a member of the Long Gray Line, linked forever with
    all of those who went before and all of those who will come after.
        Well, Mr. President, you symbolize the link between our two nations,
    which is equally as strong and will always exist. We are linked by our
    history; we are linked by the populations that we share, the Americans
    here, the Filipinos there. But most of all, we are linked by our shared
    values, our devotion to freedom, to democracy, to prosperity and to
    peace.
        And for that common devotion, I ask all of you to stand and join me
    in a toast to President and Mrs. Ramos: To all the people of the
    Philippines, to their health, to their prosperity, and to their eternal
    partnership with the United States.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 3:40 p.m. in the Ceremonial
    Room at the Malacanang Palace. In his remarks, he referred to Philippine
    President Fidel Ramos and his wife, Amelita; former Philippine President
    Diosdado Macapagal; and former Philippine President Corazon Aquino.