[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 3 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Pages 66-67]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Arpad Goncz of Hungary and 
an Exchange With Reporters at Taszar Air Base

January 13, 1996

    President Clinton. I would like to say on behalf of the American 
people how very much we appreciate the wonderful reception that our 
soldiers have received here in Hungary. I thank you, Mr. President and 
Mr. Prime Minister, to all the leaders of your country, especially to 
the Defense Minister and the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff. We are 
very, very grateful for the cooperation that we've had.
    I think it's a remarkable thing that Hungary and the United States 
are involved as partners for peace now, and they have received us here 
in this mission of peace in our staging area for Bosnia. Just think, 
it's been barely more than 6 years ago when Hungary was a member of the 
Warsaw Pact. What would have been unthinkable then now seems perfectly 
normal because we've been working together so closely for the last 
couple of years.
    And I know I speak for all the American people and especially for 
the military, Mr. President, when I say thank you, we are very grateful. 
And I have just met with our com- 

[[Page 67]]

manders and our troops; they're doing very well here, thanks to you. And 
we're enjoying it, and we appreciate it.
    President Goncz. I can even say that it is symbolic. Four or five 
years ago, I think it would have been unthinkable to meet here with the 
President of the United States of America either in Washington or in 
Budapest, the least unthinkable to be able to meet in a small Hungarian 
village. In addition to the fact that on such an important occasion, 
your presence here as well as your personal presence, Mr. President, 
shows the commitment of the United States to ensure the people in the 
region.
    It is a moral obligation to ask because this--we defend the same 
values, and we have common interests. It is a great pleasure for me that 
we have this meeting and that we are part of this great operation. This 
is a Partnership For Peace in the genuine sense of the word. And--it's a 
lot more than what we have done--and this is also an opportunity for us 
to get accustomed to each other the way--[inaudible].
    Thank you, Mr. President.

NATO

    Q. Mr. President, do you think this kind of cooperation with Hungary 
will accelerate Hungary's admittance into NATO as a full-scale member?
    The President. Well, as you know, we believe that NATO should be 
expanded and inevitably will be. And this is the sort of cooperation 
that I think shows you what can happen in a very positive way with this 
sort of partnership. I'm very pleased with it, and I think all of our 
American--and especially our military commanders have been very 
impressed by what's happened so far.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 11:40 a.m. in the Headquarters of the Air 
Base. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.