[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 12 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Pages 587-588]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Observance
of Nowruz

March 20, 2000

    This week people of Iranian heritage around the world will celebrate 
Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Nowruz is a tradition as old as the land 
of Persia, but at the same time it celebrates change and renewal: the 
changing season from winter to spring, a new year and a new beginning. 
It is a time to gather with family and friends and to look toward the 
future. I extend my best wishes for the new year to Americans of Iranian 
origin and to the people of Iran. I hope this season will bring the 
start of a new era of better relations between our two countries.
    Nowruz Mubarak.

[[Page 588]]