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) NNNN .