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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