ACCESSION NUMBER:326997
FILE ID:EUR113
DATE:02/14/94
TITLE:CLINTON: THE U.S. IS BLESSED TO HAVE A NEIGHBOR LIKE CANADA (02/14/94)
TEXT:*94021413.EUR
1EUR113 02/14/94 *
CLINTON: THE U.S. IS BLESSED TO HAVE A NEIGHBOR LIKE CANADA
(Texts: Clinton, Chretien statements) (1430)
Washington -- Following are the official texts of remarks made by President
Clinton and Canadian Ambassador Raymond Chretien upon the occasion of the
presentation of the Canadian envoy's letter of credence during White House
ceremonies February 14:
(Begin Clinton text)
Mr. Ambassador:
I am delighted to accept this Letter of Credence from the governor-general
of Canada, Raymond Hnatyshyn, accrediting you as Canada's ambassador
extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the United States. I also acknowledge
the Letter of Recall of your distinguished predecessor.
Mr. Ambassador, the relationship between the United States and Canada
continues to be excellent. Our ties are profound and deep. They are based
upon the common values and ideals that have allowed our peoples to become
the friendliest of neighbors. Thanks to the North American Free Trade
Agreement and GATT, our trade flows, already the world's largest, can only
increase. Some minor trade disputes continue, but they are minuscule in
comparison with the over $200 billion that flow in goods and services
annually.
I greatly enjoyed meeting your uncle, the prime minister, in Seattle and
Brussels, and I know you will serve as his able and active envoy.
Canada has long stood as our partner in promoting democracy and human rights
throughout the world, both of which have been and will be priorities in my
administration. We are founding members of NATO and the United Nations.
Together in NORAD we defend this continent from attack, and I would hope
that relationship continues. Canada's accession to the Organization of
American States has strengthened that organization, providing a shining
example to many nations in this Hemisphere. I hope Canada can participate
in the Summit of the Americas later this year, offering a model for the
sometimes unstable democracies in the region.
The United States and Canada share a broad range of concerns, including a
desire to safeguard the environment and make the post-Cold War world less
threatening. My administration has worked well with Canada and will
continue to do so, with emphasis on cleanup of the Great Lakes.
The many crises confronting us will require our joint efforts. In addition,
the tragedy in Haiti and the political situation in Russia and Ukraine
require our urgent attention and help. Canada and the United States will
work together in the Group of Seven, the United Nations, NATO, CSCE, APEC,
and the OAS to address many of our mutual concerns.
Our bilateral relations are remarkable. The United States is blessed to
have a neighbor like Canada. I wish the prime minister and the Canadian
people well.
(End Clinton text)
(Begin Chretien text)
I have the honor to present to you a letter from the governor-general of
Canada, Ramon Hnatyshyn, accrediting me as ambassador of Canada to the
United States.
Mr. President, I am honored to have been asked to serve as ambassador to the
United States -- our closest neighbor and ally and largest trading partner.
No other country is more important to Canada and its people.
Our relationship, spanning almost two centuries, has been a model of
peaceful cooperation, friendship and respect. We are linked by geography
-- but also by far more. Our long border is anchored by ties of
1riendship.
We are close enough to be frank with each other when our interests differ --
knowing that the basis of our relationship is solid. We are close enough
to know where cooperation can be most mutually beneficial -- and to
translate our shared interests into practical arrangements. These often
become a model for others to follow.
We have prospered together, faced common foes shoulder to shoulder and
striven to bring peace, democracy and social justice, not only to our own
countries, but to the world.
Together we helped found the United Nations. Our joint partnership in NORAD
has assured North American security, and our membership in NATO contributed
substantially and directly to ending the Cold War. Today, we continue to
work closely towards common ends through the U.N., in the CSCE, in the OAS,
in APEC, in the Group of Seven and in the GATT. Unfortunately, not all
countries enjoy friendly relations or value peace, democracy and human
rights as our two countries do. Out of the new post-Cold War world has
emerged daunting new challenges, brave new possibilities, but also grave
responsibilities.
It is vital that we invent fresh approaches to understanding this new world
and deploy our limited resources in imaginative, innovative ways to ease
suffering, resolve differences and promote world peace and prosperity.
Mr. President, Canada and the United States also share responsibility for
the environment, not only in North America, but globally as well.
Environmental issues are of increasing interest and concern for Canadians
and Americans alike. Both countries have strong and historic bonds to
nature, and seek to preserve the magnificent natural heritage of North
American lakes, streams, forests, as well as the air we breath and the
water we drink.
Since the pioneering 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty, Canada and the United
States have benefited from a long and distinguished record of environmental
cooperation. My government is committed to building upon this record and
to working together in the follow-up to the U.N. Conference on the
Environment and Development. There is much we can do to protect our shared
environment on this continent and to secure a better future for the global
environment.
Mr. President, Canada and the United States are each other's best customer
by far and share the world's largest trading relationship. Well over $200
billion in goods and services crossed our borders last year, and even in
the midst of a global recession our two-way commerce increased steadily.
Trade is an important engine of growth and job creation; my government
considers it vital to economic renewal. Both our countries share the same
economic priorities -- jobs, growth and expanded markets for our products.
This shared perspective provides a sound basis for broad cooperation in our
economic and trade relations with other countries.
The implementation of the results of the Uruguay Round Trade negotiations
will help strengthen our bilateral trading relationship. It will also
strengthen export opportunities elsewhere in the world for both countries.
As well, with the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), we look forward to extending the benefits of expanded trade to
Mexico, and in future to other countries that share our vision.
All of us have a mutual interest in making the NAFTA a success by providing
the careful management it will require. The NAFTA holds the promise of
providing a strong framework for enhancing our trade, avoiding
misunderstandings, and resolving trade disputes. The side agreements on
labor and the environment project the scope of NAFTA beyond that of any
previous trade agreement. They offer a framework on which to build the
1tewardship of the North American environment and to address important
labor concerns. We are both committed to working out improvements over the
next two years in the areas of subsidies, dumping, and the disciplines on
such practices.
As you know, Mr. President, Canadians recently elected a new prime minister
and government. Over the next few months, my government will be reviewing
Canadian policy and our role in international relations. I am confident
that when this is done Canada will choose to build on our proven abilities
to contribute to world peace and prosperity, to democratic reform and to
the preservation of the global environment. I am also confident that our
minister of foreign affairs, Mr. Ouellet, and minister for international
trade, Mr. MacLaren, will continue to enjoy regular and productive
exchanges with your Cabinet in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect
that define our relationship.
As ambassador to your country, I assume my duties with an optimism and
abiding faith in the strong and truly exceptional relationship between our
countries. Our relations are based not only on a record of achievement,
but also on genuine affection and shared values among our citizens. The
greatest danger is in taking this remarkable relationship for granted. I,
for my part, will endeavor to adapt, build and enhance our relationship in
anticipation of the new millennium which is fast approaching. I shall do
my best to represent to you and to the people of the United States the
views of my government and fellow Canadians, and to convey our commitment
to a relationship based on cooperation and mutual respect.
(End Chretien text)
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