[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 20 (Monday, May 19, 1997)]
[Page 695]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Reception for Caribbean Leaders in Bridgetown, Barbados

May 9, 1997

    Governor General, Madam, Prime Minister and Mrs. Arthur, leaders of 
the Caribbean, distinguished guests. First I'd like to thank our hosts 
for their hospitality and the weather. [Laughter] And I'd like to thank 
all of you for agreeing to join in this meeting here in beautiful 
Barbados.
    I'm deeply honored to be the first American President to hold a 
summit with Caribbean heads of government here in the Caribbean. But it 
is high time--America, after all, is a Caribbean nation. Puerto Rico and 
the American Virgin Islands lie in the heart of this region. The bonds 
of commerce among us and the bonds binding our people are strong.
    Today, millions of my fellow Americans trace proud roots to the 
Caribbean. These people have enriched and strengthened the United 
States. We can all be proud that our leadership as a Caribbean 
community, supported by nations around the world, along with the 
determination of the Haitian people, have given Haiti another chance to 
build a democratic future. And we are delighted to have President Preval 
with us here tonight.
    The last time we met as a group was in the White House 3\1/2\ years 
ago on the eve of Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. This hopeful 
moment gives us another chance to meet together and work together. It 
demands that we work together because there are great forces of change 
sweeping our world and our region. We must harness them to our benefit. 
We must meet the host of new challenges before us. And frankly, none of 
us can make the most of the opportunities or deal with the dangers 
alone.
    That's what our meeting tomorrow is all about. We need to ensure 
that the galloping global economy does not trample small economies or 
leave them behind. We must ensure that economic growth and environmental 
protection go forward hand in hand. We must band together to defeat the 
criminal syndicates and drug traffickers that prey on open societies and 
put our children and our very social fabric at risk.
    No nation is so strong that it needs no help from its friends, and 
none is too small to make a real difference. Together we must build a 
new partnership for prosperity and security in the Caribbean, based on 
our common values, aimed at our common dreams. I look forward to the 
work we will do tomorrow and even more to the days of closer and more 
productive partnership ahead.
    Thank you. And thank you for welcoming Hillary and me tonight. Thank 
you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 9:10 p.m. at the Government House. In his 
remarks, he referred to Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands and his 
wife, Lady Husbands; Prime Minister Owen Arthur of Barbados and his 
wife, Beverley; and President Rene Preval of Haiti. This item was not 
received in time for publication in the appropriate issue.