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PHOTOCOPY
P SERVATION
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FIRST LADY IllLLARY RODHAM CLINTON
VIDEOT1\PED REMARKS I
THE EMERGING DEMOCRACIES BORUM
SANA'A, YEMEN
JUNE 29, 1999
It is a great pleasure to,be able to join all of you, as you ~onclude this historic Emerging
Democracies Forum. As some of you may know, I had hoped t~ attend in person, to hear first
hand about the challenges and opportunities you are facing in th,b often daunting struggle toward
democracy. But when I leal1led I would be unable to come, I was detennined, at the very least,
to speak to you through the wonders of technology. Because thd discussions you have had over
the past few days will have an impact not only on the future of~our own nations - but on our
common dreams of living in ajust and peaceful world.
I want to thank our sponsors,' the Govel1lment of Yemef and the National Democratic
Institute for Intel1lational Affairs. We are particularly grateful to NDl's Les Cambell and the
Prime Minister of Yemen, Abdul K~m AI-Iry.ani for theirvisirn t? bring us all together. I want
to thank Margreeth de Boer for speakmg to us Just now about tHe vItal role that women can
and must - play in developing democracies. Appreciation also ~o Sally for her kind words of
introduction, and for all she is doing at USAID to promote dem'acraty and economic 0ppOltunity
worldwide.
J especially want to tharikall of you, the political, civic and economic leaders of your
nations, for participating in this important intel1lational forum.j America's Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright always reminds us that unlike dictatorships -- democracy can't be imposed.
"It's always a choice." And I iwant tocommend all ofyou for t1e work you do every day to
ensure more citizens of the world not only make that choice fOli democracy, but can begin to
fulfill its promise.
:
And what better place to hold this global conversation and strengthen these bonds of
support among us than here in Yemen, where so much progresb is being made. Yemen's multi
party system, and its d~mocratically elected legislature, serve a model for the region.
Js
I'm impressed as weI;, with Yemen's efforts to expand lhe rights and opportunities for
girls and women. Wherever J go - in my own country and oVdrseas -- I talk about Yemen's
remarkable ~ommitment to girl's education. By eliminating sdhool fees; providing families food
and other incentives to keep their girls in schools; and by enc06raging more women to enter the
teaching profession, you are'sending a p~werful message. ThJt access to education - for every
citizen -- is the very foundation of democracy - and choice.
And that no nation can'move forward until all of its cit~zens -including women -- 'aloe
full participants in the social, economic, and political life of their communities.
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�We've come together here in this historic capital of Yemen at a time of unparalleled
possibilities - as the forces of democracy are literally sweeping ~cross the,world. As
Undersecretary of State Frank Loy noted a few days ago, 40 derhocracies existed in the 1970s.
Today, the people of 120 nations are engaged in building dem6cratic societies. Even now, we
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witness the first free elections in Jndonesia in 40 years; the re-affirmation of multi-racial
democracy in South Africa; and renewed hopes for peace in the Middle East. And finally
Serbia's brutal and systematic efforts to drive ethnic Albanians from their homes has been
halted, and refugees are returning home.
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As Kosovo so painfully reminds us, even as the forces o~ freedom move fOlward, age old
ethnic, reli~ious and tribal hatreds continue to tear apart commu~ities and nations. And human
rights continue to be trampled in,almost every comer of the globe.
..
We also see that in ne:vly emerging democracies, crime, r~olence, corruption - ~d
CItIzen apathy -- threaten to dIsmantle many of our hard fought gams. And today, the rapIdly
changingwo~ld of technology and a global economy'pose new dhallenges to democracies
young and old.
The work that all of you have been engaged in at this conference - to advance an
international agenda of cooperation among democracies, and to ftelp create the citizens of
tomorrow --has never been so critical..
Just a few weeks ago, I met in Palermo, Italy with a number of remarkable women
leaders from around the world who are deeply engaged in makink democracy real in their
communities. They had come to: Palermo to participate in an intbrnational conference promoting
civic education. One woman from Argentina talked to me about how few women in her country
held positions of power or authority - and how she and others arb setting up a website to identify
and promote women leaders.
A woman from Northern Ireland spoke about how women in her country were just
beginning to find their own voices,and take their rightful place in society.,
.
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le
Many are joining the work force for the first time - and
beginning to organize
themselves around issues like expanded child care, and access to loans 'and credit that have been
denied to them for so long.
A young woman from Kuwait told me how proud she was that women in her country had
just gained the right to vote onIy a few weeks earlier. But she is Foncerned that even the 11)ost
educated women in Kuwait are not sure that casting a ballot is part oftheir civic responsibilities.
She's working to mobilize women to vote in the upcoming electibns - and to teach everyone that
being part of the political proce,ss is the kyy to citizenship in a debocratic society.
'
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�. From what I've heard about your discussions over the past few days, these are the kinds
of daunting challenges that many' of you are grappling with in ydur own countries, as you
struggle to expand economic and political reforms.
We know that establishing and maintaining a democracy is very hard work, for emerging
and established democracies alike: It is, in fact, a never ending process. My own country
became a democracy over 220 y~ars, and we're still struggling td; fulfill its promise.
But over the ~ears, w~ h~ve ~lllearn~d.som~ of the samel~essons. That strengthening the
rule oflaw, and creatmg the mstItutIOns of CIVI] SOCIety, and movmg toward a market-based
.
economy are absolutely critical steps. And we must work toget~er to support countries
struggling to make progress in these areas. But we also know thJt democracy can only be
sustained when its values are rootedin the hearts, minds, and adions of ordinary men and
women. When citizens practice the responsibilities of citizenship in their daily lives. And when
parents pass on that tradition to their children by their example, .ind by the stories they tell them.
as they put them to bed at night.
Over the years, I've be~nprivileged to travel on behalf Qf my country, and I've seen
firsthand the remarkable work that many of you have been doing':"" to strengthen civil society,
and widen the circle of human rights in your countries.
I
,
..
A few years ago, I visited Mongolia, and saw how the people of that country· were
moving from a one-party dictatorship to a pluralistic political syJtem. I was told that citizens
demonstrated i~ the s'treets in freezing weather to advocate for t~eir ri~hts and freedoms. And
that when electIOns were held - 90% of the people voted. That's a votmg rate any democracy
. would envy -- including my own.
In Guatemala and EI Salvador, I saw people struggling t~ make the difficult transition.
from war to a peaceful, democratic society. I met with women who were on opposite sides of
those conflicts - but who became the architects of peace and recdnciliation. They realized that
what they held in common was far stronger than what had kept tfuem apart. And they led the way
as people began to rebuild their communities :and put back their tves.
In countries as far apart as Nepal and Bolivia, I've seen how women's lives have been
~ transformed - and empowered as they gain access to life's basib tools of opportunity, like
maternal health care.and education. A few months ago in Morocco, I saw those same
opportunities open up when I visited a small vi11age nestled at ilie base of the Atlas mountains.
A non governmental oq,anization was working with the +llager; there to help spur new .
businesses, to encourage girl's literacy programs, and to organiz~ a village cooperative. For the
first time, these villagers had' the tools and support to shape their own futures.
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And in country after. cquntry through'out this region, I've seen young people of different
cultures and religions spending time together -- learning to oveIillcome stereotypes. Leaming to.
respect each other's differences·. Learning to become the leaders of tomorrow.
.
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'
I
Many may not have heard your stories of progress and shccess -- whether it's expanding
voting rights; strengthening the institutions of civil society; ensuring greater economic and
political opportunities for women and ethnic minorities; or teaching the lessons of democracy to
the next generation of citizens. But the world should know that while we all face different
stmggles, we speak the universai language of democracy and freedom. The ovelWhelmi~g
passage of the "Right to .Democracy" resolution by the UN COIlflmission on Human Rights a few
months ago confirms that democracy is a fundamental human right and the only path to peace
and prosperity.'
.
th~t
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. So I hope that this historic conference will bring attentiol to the remarkable work
you are doing to nurture and sustain democracy in your own coJntries. But I also hope this·
gathering will help forge a new global community of democraci6s that can. SUppOIt each other in
.the years ahead.
.
We cannot minimize the formidable challenges each one of you is facing today. But nor
should we underestimate the benefits that will come with increased intemational support and
cooperation on your behalf
'
Last year, in addressing the citizens of Poland, 'President Clinton said that "the stmggle
for democracy is never over, it must be fought every day." I waht to thank all of you for the
invaluable work you do, every single day, to make democracy rJalin your own countries, and
around the world. Thank you.
4
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Lissa Muscatine - Press Office
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First Lady's Office
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Lissa Muscatine
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1993 - 1997
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<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36239" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="http://catalog.archives.gov/id/7431941" target="_blank">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
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2011-0415-S
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<p>Lissa Muscatine first served in the Clinton Administration as a speechwriter. Within the First Lady’s Office, she served as Communications Director to the First Lady.</p>
<p>Lissa Muscatine’s records consist of materials from First Lady Hillary Clinton’s Press Office, highlighting topics such as health care, women’s rights, the Millennium Council, Hillary Clinton’s 2000 Senate campaign, and deal extensively with press interviews given by the First Lady; her domestic and foreign travel; and speeches and remarks, on a wide variety of topics, given by her before and during her time as First Lady. The records include interview transcripts, press releases, speeches and speech transcripts.</p>
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Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
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1,324 folders in 27 boxes
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FLOTUS Remarks and Speeches 5/99 - 10/12/99 [Binder]: [Emerging Democracies - Sana'a, Yemen 6/29/1999]
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Box 10
<a href="http://clintonlibrary.gov/assets/Documents/Finding-Aids/Systematic/2011-0415-S-Muscatine.pdf" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="http://catalog.archives.gov/id/7431941" target="_blank">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
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Lissa Muscatine
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2011-0415-S
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Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
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7431941