TUESDAY: HISTORIC NATO-RUSSIA PARTNERSHIP IS ESTABLISHEDThis morning in Paris, President Clinton joined with French President Chirac, Russian President Yelstin and NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana for the historic signing of the NATO-Russia Founding Act:
The Founding Act establishes a new partnership between NATO and Russia --bridging Europe's Cold War divide, and taking a major new step toward an undivided, democratic, peaceful Europe for the first time in history.
From now on, NATO and Russia will consult and coordinate and work together; where all agree, they will act jointly, as they are in Bosnia. NATO will no longer be an alliance against a hostile bloc of nations, but instead it will advance the security of every democracy in Europe --old NATO members, new members, and non-members alike.
President Clinton said: "We establish this partnership because we are determined to create a future in which European security is not a zero-sum game --where NATO's gain is Russia's loss, and Russia's strength is our alliance's weakness. That is old thinking; these are new times. Together, we must build a new Europe in which every nation is free and every free nations joins in strengthening the peace and stability for all."
WEDNESDAY: PRESIDENT DELIVERS MAJOR ADDRESS TO THE EUROPEAN PEOPLE ON FUTURE OF U.S.-EUROPEAN RELATIONS
Tomorrow in the Hague, President Clinton will lay out his vision of the future U.S.-European relations --and the goal of building a European continent that is undivided, democratic, and peaceful for the first time in history --at a gathering with leaders from all over Europe to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan.
This Saturday at West Point commencement, the President will deliver his address to the American people on the same subject --the future of U.S. responsibilities in the world and of U.S.-European relations.
Tomorrow in the Hague, President Clinton also attends the U.S.-European Union Summit, to continue a practical partnership on the issues that matter most to the American and European people, including trade and the fight against drugs.
MONDAY: PRESIDENT SPEAKS AT MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE
Yesterday at Arlington National Cemetary, President Clinton spoke at a Memorial Day Service honoring those who have given their lives in the service of our country:
President Clinton said: "We must remember the lessons of those who gave their lives in World War II and those who worked so hard to make sure that we would prevail in the Cold War...We must create the institutions and the understandings that will advance the security and prosperity of the American people for the next 50 years."