Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Jan. 9 which will affect Canada and Mexico, is not the President to say all those things. And a trading bloc, I had an opportunity to glean that is why I was especially moved by the from him that Japan would lose if, say, there friendship shown by the President, the was an Asian trading bloc. I think in terms sense of trust expressed by the President. of cooperation, as your question asked, we Japan was able to grow this much, thanks will cooperate to be sure that we don’t inad- to the continued support and help by the vertently fall into trading blocs that will nar- United States. This again we should not for- row trade rather than increase it. get. And this friendship was at the very But Japan is a respected world power, and foundation of the meetings that I had with we must cooperate. I’ve supported publicly the President this time. the return of the Northern Islands to Japan. The President in Honolulu also men- And there’s an area where perhaps coopera- tioned that we must fight against or fight tion between the two parties can be helpful. off isolationism and protectionism. And I We had long talks about Mr. Yeltsin’s com- think these words were uttered with Japan ing out and trying to bring democracy and in mind. Now, in discussing economic issues free markets to Russia. And I think that this time, there was concern expressed that there’s an area where we can have coopera- the entire world might fall into protection- tion. ism, and what can we do in order to prevent So, as I look around the world, I believe that? Trade imbalance has persisted for 20 cooperation is called for in almost every in- years or so, and if nothing is done then stance. I can’t think of one where it’s not. one of the parties concerned may well fall United Nations, working in the U.N. now into protectionism. So, something ought to with Japan on the Security Council for 2 be done about it. years, close cooperation as we try to use Q. Both the President and the Prime international law to solve some of these Minister have very busy schedules, and I’d problems as we did in the Gulf. like to say they have to adjourn the meeting The Prime Minister. In the speech deliv- today. Thank you very much, President and ered by the President in Honolulu, he said Prime Minister. he held no rancor against Japan or Ger- many. These former enemies have become best friends for democracy, is what basically Note: The President’s 118th news conference he said. There are quite a few warships that began at 2:50 p.m. at the Akasaka Palace. are sunk in Pearl Harbor with the dead bod- The Prime Minister spoke in Japanese, and ies of the soldiers and with veterans in front his remarks were translated by an inter- of him. So, I believe it was not easy for preter.

Remarks at a State Dinner Hosted by Emperor Akihito of Japan in Tokyo January 9, 1992

Your Imperial Majesties and honored before us is daunting, one which will re- guests, on behalf of the American people, quire vision and courage. But it is one from we wish to thank you for the warmth of which we cannot shrink. Too much depends this reception and for your tireless efforts on us. in support of the relationship between our As leaders of this new world, we face sev- two great nations. eral challenges together, addressing the new The United States and Japan today stand security requirements of a changed world, on the threshold of a new era of cooperation promoting freedom and democracy, and in which our nations seek to build a new generating world economic growth and world of freedom and democracy. The task prosperity.

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Tonight, we celebrate the essence of this have been at any time in this century. new world order and the opportunity to be When the great Japanese novelist true partners in its construction. We see Kawabata received the Nobel Prize in lit- how former enemies can become close allies erature, the citation praised him for ‘‘build- and friends, real friends, each supporting, ing a spiritual bridge spanning East and competing, growing, dreaming. Each under- West.’’ In this changing world where the stands that we must resolve our differences walls that once divided whole nations from fairly and constructively. each other are crumbling, we all must be- Our people both believe in work, commu- come both bridges to and partners in a new nity, faith, and family. We know how de- world order. mocracy supports the cause of peace among In that spirit and with heartfelt thanks, nations. We realize that although half a Your Majesty, for your wonderful hospi- world may separate us, great ties unite us, tality, I ask all of your guests to raise their ties that are economic and military, moral, glasses. To your health, sir, and to the and intellectual. bridge of friendship and common purpose Your Majesty, the name you have chosen uniting our countries, to those who built for your reign can be translated as ‘‘achiev- it and cross it still, and to the prosperity ing peace.’’ That choice signifies your deep of our two great peoples. personal commitment to this noble aspira- tion and your resolve not to revisit the trag- edies of the past. We are now closer to Note: The President spoke at 8:10 p.m. at achieving the blessings of peace than we the Imperial Palace.

Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters on Arrival From the Trip to Asian/Pacific Nations January 10, 1992

The President. Let me first say that it is eign relations have never before been so great to be home, and Barbara and I want important to our well-being at home. When to thank all those who made this important we foster democracy abroad, when we trip a success. Secretary Brady is with us strengthen our security engagements with here, Secretary Mosbacher, and then our our allies and friends, when we work to first-ever Presidential delegation of business open markets and expand trade, we make leaders. I want to thank also in addition a priceless investment in our own children’s to them our ambassadors, their dedicated future. staffs, and so many others. And I really want The Tokyo meeting I concluded yesterday to offer my heartfelt thanks to countless with Prime Minister Miyazawa caps a suc- people at home and abroad who so kindly cessful series of talks with four of America’s offered prayers and good wishes when I had most important friends in the Asia-Pacific that very brief but dramatic bout with the region. With each of these countries, Aus- flu. tralia, Singapore, Korea, and Japan, we’re Our mission was uniquely American. forging ever-stronger bonds of democratic America is a world leader not just because values, of mutual security, and of economic of our military or economic might but be- growth through expanding trade. Each of cause we’ve always held the conviction that we’re part of something larger than our- four nations that I visited are robust democ- selves. We now live in an entirely different racies. With each we confirmed the neces- economic world than a generation ago and sity of providing nourishment for the blos- in a completely different political and secu- soming of democracy throughout the region. rity environment than just a year ago. For- At each stop on our journey I reaffirmed

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