USIA - Text: Clinton Remarks to the People of Romania, 97-07-11

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From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at <http://www.usia.gov>

TEXT: CLINTON REMARKS TO THE PEOPLE OF ROMANIA JULY 11

(The door to NATO is open and it will stay open) (1150)

"I welcome Romania's deep desire to contribute even more fully to Europe's security and strength," the President said. "I want that too -- for Europe, America and you. And I say to you today: Stay the course, and Romania will cross that milestone.

"To all who want to share the responsibilities of membership," Clinton said, "I reaffirm from this plaza of freedom: the door to NATO is open. It will stay open, and we will help you walk through it.

"NATO has committed to review aspiring members in 1999," the President said, "and Romania is one of the strongest candidates."

Following is the official text, as prepared for delivery:

(begin text)

President William Jefferson Clinton Remarks to the People of Romania Bucharest, Romania

July 11, 1997

America knows that Romania's destiny lies in an undivided, democratic, peaceful Europe -- where every nation is free, and every free nation is our partner. To the people of Romania who love liberty so dearly: I come to Romania because of all you have already done. I come to Romania because of all I know that you can do. I come to Romania because of all that we will do together to achieve your destiny in the family of freedom.

No people in Europe sufferred more under communist repression -- the shortages and indignities... the senseless destruction of villages... the constant climate of fear. No people paid a higher price for the simple right to live in freedom. And no people faced greater challenges in the struggle to start anew. But though your path has been steep and had, you are going forward.

Your spirit, endurance, and determination are symbolized by the feat of one young Romanian athlete. At the end of the New York marathon last fall, a runner named Anuta Catuna, came from behind to close the lead and earn her way to victory. Like her, Romania has set its sights and heart on the long run. And like her, the Romanian people have won the world's respect -- for moving so far, for moving so fast, for believing in yourselves.

Yet, like her race, the marathon of freedom is not a sprint. It takes steady, persistent commitment to stay the course. After 200 years, America knows the journey of democracy is never over. It must be travelled every day.

In just the last year, and especially recent months, you've made dramatic progress.

You have launched bold economic reforms that will give your people the chance to make the most of their own lives. In the short term, there are costs to market reform, but in the long-term, the rewards are far greater -- in new opportunities, better jobs, greater trade and investment. In recent years, we have learned from other nations' experience that the countries that reform the fastest make the most progress for their people. Romania is making up for lost time -- and the world is taking notice.

You have turned old grievances into new friendships, within your borders and beyond. You forged landmark treaties with Hungary and Ukraine. You brought ethnic Hungarians into a democratic government for the very first time. You are giving minorities a greater stake in shaping your common future. Together, you are building one Romania.

You have shown the way of responsible leadership here, in your own region. In Bosnia, Romanian engineers repaired the first train crossing over the Sava River, so that critical aid could reach the Bosnian people after years of deprivation. In Albania, Romania's peacekeeping battalion has played a key role in promoting stability and securing elections. Your nation, at its initiative and expense, has helped its faultering neighbors get their feet back on the ground.

These are remarkable achievements. And of course, there is more work to do. I want you to know that America will do that work with you.

The values that govern Romania today -- liberty, openness, tolerance, free markets -- are values shared by the community of democracies Romania is joining. That community includes security cooperation through the Partnership for Peace. It includes strong ties of trade and investment. It includes institutions like the European Union. And of course, it includes NATO.

I know that Romania would have like to be among the first of Europe's new democracies to join NATO. I welcome Romania's deep desire to contribute even more fully to Europe's security and strength. I want that too -- for Europe, America and you. And I say to you today: Stay the course, and Romania will cross that milestone.

To all who want to share the responsibilities of membership, I reaffirm from this plaza of freedom: the door to NATO is open. It will stay open, and we will help you walk through it.

NATO has committed to review aspiring members in 1999 -- and Romania is one of the strongest candidates.

In the meantime, President Constantinescu and I have agreed to establish a strategic partnership between our nations. This partnership is important to America because Romania is important to America -- in its own right, and as an anchor and model in a difficult part of the world. Together, we can help extend stability beyond Romania's borders -- and show the peoples of this region that there is a better way.

President Constantinescu, citizens of Romania: My visit has been brief, but our frienship will endure the test of time. As long as you proceed down democracy's long road, America will be by your side.

The great Romanian-born playwright Ionescu once said: "There has always been at every living moment of culture a will to renewal." Here in Bucharest, I see that will to renewal all around me.

I am reminded of the words of your national anthem -- once forbidden but never forgotten: "Wake up, Romania."

You have shown the world that Romania has awakened. Awakened to security. Awakened to democracy. Awakened to freedom. Awakened to your destiny. And the world has awakened to Romania. May the light of your new dawn of freedom shine out of Romania for ever. May God bless the Romanian people and the future of our people together.

(end text)

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