[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 15 (Monday, April 17, 2000)]
[Page 785]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message on the Celebration of Jubilee 2000

April 7, 2000

    Warm greetings to everyone gathered in our nation's capital to 
celebrate Jubilee 2000. You can take pride in being a part of this 
extraordinary grassroots effort to reduce the debt of the world's most 
impoverished countries. Your work is helping to raise awareness and put 
this issue at the forefront of the national agenda.
    In too many countries around the world today, excessive debt and 
unwise economic policies divert crucial resources from health, 
education, environment, and other social investments. Every year, two-
thirds of the world's heavily-indebted poor countries (HIPC) spend more 
on debt service than on health or education. At the same time, basic 
human needs go unmet. In these countries, one in ten children dies 
before his or her first birthday, one in three children is malnourished, 
and the average adult has had only three years of schooling. This is 
wrong.
    Last year, we worked with other creditor nations to reach agreement 
on a plan to triple the debt relief available for the world's poorest 
nations. The Cologne Debt Initiative promises to reduce more than 70 
percent of the total debt of these countries, enabling them to commit 
additional resources to the health and education of their people. Thanks 
to your efforts and the efforts of a bipartisan group in Congress, we 
have made significant progress in lifting the burden of debt from half a 
billion people around the world. This year we must build on that 
progress. For debt relief to move forward, Congress must take action on 
my request to cover the remaining cost of the U.S. share of debt relief.
    I applaud each of you for your commitment to Jubilee 2000. Let us 
say today that no nation on this Earth should be forced to choose 
between feeding and educating children or paying interest on excessive 
debt. Let us say that no children--no matter where they are born--should 
be deprived of the opportunity to reach their full potential.
    Best wishes for a memorable event and continued success in your 
efforts.
                                                  Bill Clinton

Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
April 9.