Remarks Following Discussions with Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar Of
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Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997 / July 7 1031 to me, in no uncertain terms, that we've got NOTE: The President spoke at 6:43 p.m. at the a sales job to do, but we think we can do Miguel Angel Hotel. it. Q. Mr. President, the Russians have said that if former Soviet Republics are going to be admitted to NATO, they will have to reex- amine their relationship with the alliance, a Remarks Following Discussions With clear message that they would oppose the Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar of Baltic States being new members. Will this Spain and an Exchange With summit, do you believe, send a clear message Reporters in Madrid that when we say the door is open, it also July 7, 1997 includes Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia? Prime Minister Aznar. President Clinton The President. My position is that no Eu- and his family, at the invitation of Their Maj- ropean democracy should be excluded from esty, the King and Queen of Spain, have ultimate consideration. And I have said spent a few days in Mallorca. I hope they thatÐI believe my personal position is that have been good days in Mallorca, a mini-holi- should apply to Russia as well, that any day. I had the opportunity to join them yes- democratic country in Europe prepared to terday, again at the invitation of His Majesty, make NATO's commitments, which includes the King. I think I was meant to torture recognizing the territorial integrity of every President Clinton's holiday for a few mo- other democracy in Europe and every mem- ments, and we discussed at length a number ber of NATO and recognizing our mutual re- of issues. sponsibility for one another's security, that It is my pleasure to officially welcome anyone should be considered. That's always President Clinton and his delegation to Ma- been the United States position, and that is drid. We have just had a meeting, a continu- mine. And I think it's theÐI believe that's ation of yesterday's conversations, and the the position of every Republican and Demo- meeting was of tremendous interest. We crat in this room. I believe it is. talked about the summit which begins tomor- Q. Is there no chance that you will change row in Madrid. I hope that this will represent your mind on three versus five? a decisive contribution to security and peace The President. My view on three versus in the world. We hope that is the case, and five is based on the simple fact that NATO it will be if we engage in a constructive spirit, is a military as well as a political organization the spirit which presides the Atlantic alliance. and we have to be quite disciplined in making Advances have been made in the negotia- judgments about who should come in to tions for the internal reform of the alliance, membership in terms of the obligations that and we have all made efforts to secure the they have to assume and their capacity to do necessary consensus on enlargement of the it. I am very enthusiastic about the develop- Atlantic alliance. Sufficient elements are in ments that have taken place in Romania and place so that the summit which begins tomor- Slovenia recently. I think the fact that they've row can be the point of departure for improv- resolved territorial difficulties, that the Ro- ing the security and cooperation in the Atlan- manians have taken two Hungarians into the tic alliance. And we hope that conversations Government and the cabinet, these things can conclude soon on internal reform for the are extremely laudatory. I'm glad they want security and defense of Europe, proceed with to be in NATO, and I think that they should enlargement and to sign the historic agree- get consideration. I just don't think at this ment between the Ukraine and Russia and time that they should be admitted. That's Atlantic alliance. what I believe. And I think there are a lot I've spoken to President Clinton. I told of other countries who feel that. But we have him that Spain hopes to achieve considerable to reach a consensus decision, and that's advances during this summit, bearing in where I thinkÐI hope and believe that's mind Spain's Parliament decision on the ref- where we'll come out. erendum on NATO. And we hope to join VerDate 01-JUL-97 08:55 Aug 05, 1997 Jkt 173998 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P28JY4.007 INET01 1032 July 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997 the military command of NATO once the This will also greatly strengthen the bonds command is fully defined and our interests of our alliance. It will greatly strengthen our are safeguarded. President Clinton knows alliance, and along with the steps that we will that Spain is deeply interested in having a take over the next 2 days, I am sure we will positive outcome to this situation. promote a greater sharing of responsibility We discussed bilaterally issues of common between America and Europe as we try to interest to us in other parts of the world. Our create an even stronger partnership with bilateral relations are excellent, I must sayÐ richer democracies for a new century. relations between the United States and Finally, Mr. Prime Minister, let me thank Spain. We already had an opportunity to talk you again for hosting this summit and for the a couple of months ago in Washington, and strong leadership you have shown in so many I hope that these conversations and this visit areas. I'm looking forward to the work ahead are a good example of how to engage in per- of us in the next couple of days and to the manent and fruitful dialog between the Unit- future we are trying to make together. ed States and Spain. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. And I give the floor Elections in Mexico to the President of the United States, Mr. Clinton. Q. Thank you very much for being here, and welcome here in Spain. I'm a reporter The President. Thank you very much. Mr. from Televisa. Let me ask you this in Span- Prime Minister, it is wonderful to be back ish, anyway, Mr. President. As you know, in Spain. And let me thank you again, along elections were held in Mexico yesterday. I'd with the King and the Queen and the people like to know what your opinion and the Span- of Spain, for the very warm hospitality that ish Prime Minister's opinion is with respect my family and I have experienced in to Mr. Cardenas' victory. To what extent do Mallorca. And it is great to be back in Madrid you think those elections might influence the and to be with you again. As you said, we relations between the United States and had a very good visit in Washington in the Mexico? springtime, and then we also saw each other The President. It's interesting you ask this in Paris when the NATO leaders met to forge question because we have just discussed it, our compact with Russia. and I believe that the Prime Minister is a The NATO Summit that begins tomorrow step ahead of me. He's already called Presi- is a milestone in our work to adapt NATO dent Zedillo, and they've had a visit. But we to a new Europe and a new century, so that support the elections, and we support the ex- it can meet new security challenges, open the pression of popular will by the people of door to new members, reach out to new part- Mexico. The United States wants to be a ners. This new mission for NATO is designed good partner and a good friend. We share to secure a Europe that is undivided, demo- a long border. We share much common her- cratic, and at peace for the first time in his- itage. We have many of the same problems tory. And it is very appropriate that Spain with the narcotics and many of the same op- should be the host of this summit, because, portunities with economic growth. And we after all, NATO last admitted a new member believe that anything that adds to Mexico's 15 years ago, and that new member was strength as a democracy is good for our com- Spain. mon future. When Spain joined NATO and the Europe These elections, insofar as they gave the Union, Spain strengthened both institutions Mexican people an opportunity for the open, and fortified its own newfound freedoms. free expression of their will, are good for that Now it is one of democracy's staunchest relationship and good for the future. It friends and NATO's strongest leader. And let doesn't matter how they came out. That was me say to you, we welcome Spain's intention for the Mexican people to decide. And we to take her full place in NATO's integrated applaud that. military structure as we complete a new com- Prime Minister Aznar. I have already mand structure. congratulated President Zedillo's election VerDate 01-JUL-97 08:55 Aug 05, 1997 Jkt 173998 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P28JY4.008 INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997 / July 7 1033 yesterday. I have already mentioned this to Spain and France will be in the integrated President Clinton. For us, it is a source of command structure.