[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 19 (Monday, May 12, 1997)]
[Pages 648-649]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Departure for Mexico and an Exchange With Reporters

May 5, 1997

    The President. Good afternoon. As you all know, I'm about to leave 
on a weeklong visit to our closest southern neighbors, Mexico, Central 
America, and the Caribbean. It's the first of three trips I'll take in 
our hemisphere over the next year. I'd like to say a few words about 
what I hope to accomplish and why the Americas are so important for our 
own security and prosperity in the 21st century.
    Little more than a decade ago, our neighbors were plagued by civil 
wars and guerrilla insurgencies, coups and dictators, closed economies 
and hopeless poverty. Now we face a far different moment, a moment of 
truly remarkable possibility. Every nation in our hemisphere but one has 
embraced both free elections and open markets. The region's growing 
economies have become our largest trading partners. Already we export 
twice as much to the Americas as to Europe and nearly half again as much 
as to Asia.
    A partnership is emerging between the United States and the Americas 
based not only on history, geography, and culture but increasingly on 
shared interest and values and a shared commitment to a common future. 
More than ever before, we are working with our neighbors on the basis of 
mutual respect to make a difference on issues that matter most to people 
in their daily lives, creating good new jobs by opening markets and 
spurring growth, improving education to prepare our people to succeed in 
the global economy, making our water clean and the air clean for our 
children, facing up to problems we cannot defeat alone like drugs, 
crime, and corruption.
    But while the trend in the Americas is positive, clearly the 
transition is not complete. If we want citizens to make a lasting 
commitment to democracy, peace, and open markets, we must support them 
in gaining confidence that they have made the right choice.
    Three years ago, at our historic Summit of the Americas in Miami, 
the leaders of this hemisphere mapped out a concrete plan to lock in the 
democratic gains the Americas have made and to see that they work for 
all of the people. This week we will continue to advance that plan. 
Together, we can strengthen the institutions of democracy and promote 
respect for human rights. We can broaden the benefits of open and fair 
trade. We can shore up the stability of nations that have renounced war. 
We can combat the drugs and crime and environmental degradation that 
threaten all our futures. And we can open the doors of education to more 
so that they can have the skills they need to make the most of their own 
lives.
    It is fitting that this trip should begin in Mexico. We share one of 
the broadest and deepest relations of any two nations on Earth. Beyond 
the 2,000-mile border that joins us, beyond the strong bonds of trade 
that benefit both our people, we must cooperate as never before to find 
common solutions to common problems.
    Our partnerships with Mexico and with the other nations should be 
the foundation of our own freedom, stability, and prosperity in the 21st 
century, an engine for economic growth and jobs, a sword in the fight 
against transnational threats that respect no borders, an example to the 
world that democracy and open markets actually deliver for those who 
embrace them. If we continue to shape the future of our hemisphere, the 
Americas will prosper and so will America.
    Thank you.

[[Page 649]]

Director of Central Intelligence Nomination

    Q. Mr. President, given the frustrations of what Tony Lake went 
through for his nomination, are you confident that George Tenet will 
sail through on his nomination--confirmation process?
    The President. I believe he will be confirmed. I sure do.

Flood Aid

    Q. Mr. President, while you are gone, the House and Senate are going 
to take up the legislation regarding the flood aid. Are you still 
threatening to veto that? Do you still feel a need to, especially with 
the budget deal?
    The President. I have no reason to change the position I adopted.
    Q. But people are waiting for that aid.
    The President. That's right, and that's why Congress ought to pass 
it unencumbered.

Note: The President spoke at 3:21 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House.