[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 9 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Pages 256-257]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring President Frei

February 26, 1997

    Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President, Mrs. Frei, members of the 
Chilean delegation, distinguished guests, welcome to the White House. 
Mr. President, I enjoyed our meeting today, especially your perspective 
as a trained engineer committed to building bridges. [Laughter] You have 
more experience and credibility at that than I have, but I am glad to be 
your partner in building those bridges.
    The United States respects the extraordinary accomplishments of the 
Chilean people, the brave struggle to reclaim democracy which has cast 
the light of liberty over your land and over the entire hemisphere. The 
United States respects the extraordinary economic achievements of Chile, 
which have shined the light of hope over your land and the entire 
hemisphere.
    Beyond democracy, you have advanced equality before the law and good 
government. Beyond economic growth, you have advanced fuller 
participation in Chile's prosperity, reducing poverty and increasing edu

[[Page 257]]

cation so that all may have their chance. Under your leadership, Chile 
is a crossroads for global commerce, a force of freedom and peace, a 
valued partner of the United States in building a better world for the 
21st century.
    Three decades ago, Mr. President, during the time of the Alliance 
for Progress launched by President Kennedy, your father made plans for a 
state visit to our country. That visit never came to pass. And in the 
years that followed, the bright hopes that our nations had for 
cooperation in our hemisphere went unrealized. Now we stand at a moment 
of unprecedented promise for the Americas. Just as you donned your 
father's ceremonial sash when you took office, you have completed the 
journey to the United States that he once set out to make.
    Now we must make our bold journey into tomorrow together. Mr. 
President, I gave a book of poems by your great Chilean poet, Pablo 
Neruda, to my wife for our 20th wedding anniversary. In his ``Ode to the 
Sea,'' Neruda wrote these words that speak to us tonight across the 
years: ``We'll put the affairs of mankind in order, big things first, 
then all the rest. We will make you see an Earth, we will make you 
perform miracles, because inside us, inside our struggle is our daily 
bread, our fish, and our miracle.''
    Mr. President, you have put big things first: democracy, justice, 
freedom, the future. In so doing, you have given the Chilean people the 
chance to reach deep within themselves to perform miracles.
    Tonight it's my great honor to ask all those here present to join me 
in toasting you, Mrs. Frei, people of Chile, and the bright promise of 
our partnership.

Note: The President spoke at 8:57 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the 
White House.