[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 9 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Pages 247-248]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Welcoming President Eduardo Frei of Chile

February 26, 1997

    President Frei, Mrs. Frei, members of the Chilean delegation, 
distinguished guests. On behalf of the American people, I am delighted 
to welcome President Frei back to the United States and to return the 
warm hospitality the people of Chile showed to the First Lady when she 
visited there 2 years ago.
    Today the countries of our hemisphere stand together facing a new 
era. Never have the Americas been more free or more pros

[[Page 248]]

perous. Never have we had a better opportunity to create a community of 
nations united by shared values and common purpose. Now, by acting 
together to deepen our democracy, to spur economic growth, to strengthen 
our partnership, the United States and Chile can bring concrete benefits 
to our own people, to all the Americas, and to the world and fulfill the 
promise of our times.
    Chile's return to democracy, a heroic and courageous struggle, has 
helped to fuel freedom's march all across our hemisphere. Its economic 
reforms have set the standard for success throughout our region with 
impressive growth, unmatched financial stability, and high rates of job 
creation and the reduction of poverty.
    During the last 3 years, Mr. President, your determination to expand 
opportunity at home and forge new links abroad has displayed the power 
of open societies and open markets to lift the lives of our people. The 
friendship we celebrate today has its roots in the fight for freedom 
that gave birth to both our countries. Almost two centuries ago, in 
1811, that shared heritage was reflected in Chile's decision to hold its 
first national congress on July 4th, the anniversary of our own 
independence.
    Now our ties are bearing fruit in a growing partnership that 
advances our ideals and our interests. Just as we joined hands to help 
peace take hold in El Salvador, we are working side by side to keep 
peace on the border between Peru and Ecuador and to help them reach a 
lasting settlement. Together we are striving to follow the roadmap set 
by our hemisphere's 34 democracies in the Miami Summit of the Americas 
in 1994. We are working to make trade in the Americas more free and 
fair, the key to jobs and growth and opportunity for all our people in 
the next century. And by advancing human rights, fighting drugs, and 
protecting the air and the water we share, we are proving that 
democracies deliver.
    And now our sights are set on the second summit, which Chile will 
host in March of 1998. We must consolidate the historic advance of the 
Americas from dictatorship, war, and command economies to democracy, 
cooperation, and open markets.
    Mr. President, almost 30 years ago your father, President Eduardo 
Frei Montalva, said, ``Great perspectives will open before us if we are 
united.'' Today the United States and Chile are united, and we can see 
great new horizons of hope all across our hemisphere.
    We must take advantage of this historic opportunity to advance into 
the future together, making the success of our efforts to promote peace 
and freedom and prosperity in the Americas a model for all the world.

Note: The President spoke at 10:16 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House where President Frei was accorded a formal welcome with full 
military honors. In his remarks, he referred to President Frei's wife, 
Marta.