[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 46 (Monday, November 22, 1999)]
[Pages 2376-2377]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to the American Embassy Community in Ankara, Turkey

November 15, 1999

    The President. Thank you very much. Good morning. Ambassador Parris, 
it's hard for me to say--you may know, Mark worked for us in the White 
House for a long time and, you know, it's difficult for me to be 
sufficiently respectful of him now that he's here with this vast array 
of support. [Laughter] I do want to thank you, Mark, and all of you for 
the wonderful job you've done under particularly adverse circumstances. 
And I thank Ambassador Albright for her representation of the United 
States here in Turkey, after the terrible first earthquake.

World Trade Organization Talks in China

    I think I should give you an explanation for why we're running a 
little late this morning. We have been up late last night and early this 
morning, following the 11th hour of negotiations between the United 
States and China. And I am pleased to say that the United States and the 
People's Republic of China have now successfully concluded a strong 
accession agreement for China to enter the World Trade Organization.
    This agreement is a major step forward in bringing China into the 
WTO, and a profoundly important step in the relationship between the 
United States and China----

[At this point, there was technical difficulty with the room's 
lighting.]

    The President. Somebody apparently doesn't like it very much. 
[Laughter] Have we put too much strain on the lights? [Laughter] Yeah, 
what do you say? Can you guys pick this up with this light if I go on? 
Okay.
    The China-WTO agreement is good for the United States; it's good for 
China; it's good for the world economy. Today China embraces principles 
of economic openness, innovation, and competition that will bolster 
China's economic reforms and advance the rule of law. President Jiang 
Zemin and Premiere Zhu Rongji have shown genuine leadership in 
committing China to open its markets and abide by global rules of fair 
trade. In opening the economy of China, the agreement will create 
unprecedented opportunities for American farmers, workers, and companies 
to compete successfully in China's market, while bringing increased 
prosperity to the people of China.
    The trade agreement is part of a broader agreement, designed to 
bring China into global systems on issues from nonproliferation to 
regional security to environmental

[[Page 2377]]

protection to human rights. With this agreement, the overall 
relationship between our countries is strengthened.
    I want to thank profusely our United States Trade Ambassador, 
Charlene Barshefsky; my National Economic Adviser, Gene Sperling; and 
the entire United States negotiating team, including USTR officials 
Robert Novick and Robert Cassidy, for their hard work and dedication.
    On the basis of this excellent agreement, I will do my best, working 
with other countries, to gain China's entry into the WTO and undertake 
an all out effort to work with our Congress to secure permanent, normal 
trade relations with China. This is a very good day for American 
diplomacy.

American Embassy

    Let me say again to all of you here in Turkey, during the recent 
earthquake, and even in the last few days, when we have seen the 
terrible news of the other quake, it has been profoundly moving to me to 
know that our Embassy was involved with the people of Turkey on a human 
level, as well as on a political and diplomatic level. I am grateful for 
the work that Mission personnel here have done to raise money to aid 
victims of the quake, to organize trips, to give out food, clothing, and 
other supplies. I understand one of your Embassy employees, Azize 
Ozturk, has been particularly active in that, and I thank you very much.
    I hope that the visit that we're making this week will inspire more 
Americans at home to join your efforts to help the people of Turkey 
recover from these natural disasters.
    I'd also like to say a special word of appreciation for the role any 
of you have played in the warming of relationships between Turkey and 
Greece. You know, I have long supported the entry of Turkey into the 
European Union. I have long supported the alliance of the West with 
Turkey. But I have always believed that ultimately there had to be a 
reconciliation between Turkey and Greece and a resolution of the major 
issues in the Aegean in order for the long-term success of this dream 
that we all share to be assured.
    Every day, everything you do, in ways small and large, to build the 
bonds between our two people is very important. If you look at a map of 
the world and imagine the future in the 21st century, I think it is 
ironic and interesting that this country, at the center of the Ottoman 
Empire, played such a large role for centuries through the empire, and 
then in the way that empire broke up after World War I and before--just 
before and after World War I--and the way the 20th century worked out. I 
think if you look at the map and underlying political realities, still 
Turkey is going to have a great deal to do with the way the world is in 
the 21st century.
    It is very important that we maintain our partnership and our 
friendship and to continue to make progress on those issues that are so 
important to all of us.
    Finally, let me say to all of you who work here at the Embassy, both 
Americans and Turkish nationals, I am very proud of your work--the daily 
work you do, which may or may not grab the headlines. I understand that 
one of your employees, Sait Otus, just retired after 45 years with the 
United States Government, beginning with USAID in 1954, transferring to 
USIS in 1974. Thank you for those 45 years. We are very grateful to you.
    Now, in closing, I would like to present to all of you at the United 
States Embassy here, the State Department's Superior Honor Award, 
recognizing your extraordinary efforts and accomplishments, from 
coordinating relief after the earthquakes to advancing our objectives in 
the region to preparing for this visit which, in some ways, may be the 
biggest headache of all. [Laughter]
    Congratulations, Mr. Ambassador.
    We are adjourned. [Laughter]

Note: The President spoke at 10 a.m. in the Embassy. In his remarks, he 
referred to U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Mark R. Parris.