 Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States and Mrs. Reagan. Ladies and gentlemen, the national anthems of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the United States of America. Delighted today to welcome President Figueiredo and Mrs. Figueiredo to Washington. Over our many years of friendship with Brazil, Mr. President, your country has often been described as the nation of the future. Well, the future is here. Brazil has increasingly looked to not for its potential, but for its capabilities, not for what it will accomplish, but for what it is accomplishing. Mr. President, Mr. President, and Mrs. Figueiredo in Washington. Over our many years of friendship with Brazil, Mr. President, your country has frequently been described as the nation of the future. Well, the future is here. Brazil is increasingly looked to not for its potential and always for its capabilities, not for what it will accomplish, but for what it is accomplishing. We in the United States rejoice with the people of Brazil for the progress that you have made economically, politically, and socially, and look forward to expanding on the mature relationship we've developed. The ties that bind us are firm with mutual respect and trust reinforced by time and shared values. Our friendship, Mr. President, goes back to the early days of Brazilian independence when the United States was the first country to recognize your sovereignty. Brazil was the first South American nation to have an ambassador in Washington. In the United States, we rejoice with the people of Brazil for the progress that has been achieved in the economic, political, and social spheres. Brazil is the first country in which we have been related to partnership with everybody, even among the nation we know, and we are holding on to brotherhood. We are one country that is not alone, the United States is united by unity. Glory to the United States! We are united by unity. We are united by unity. The American people will not forget, President Figueredo, that in both the first and second world wars, Brazil joined with us to confront the threat to freedom. Since the war years, our two countries have collaborated on many fronts to meet diverse challenges to the security and well-being of our peoples. Brazil is an independent force for moderation and balance in this hemisphere. And while our two countries have had disagreements which is only natural and to be expected among friends, we have never lost that mutual respect and admiration so characteristic of our relationship. We will not forget, President Figueredo, that in both the first and second world war, Brazil joined with us to face the threat to freedom. Since the war years, our two countries have collaborated on many fronts to face diverse challenges, security and well-being of our peoples. Brazil is an independent force for moderation and balance in this hemisphere. And although there have been disagreements between our countries, which are natural and to be expected among friends, we have never lost that mutual respect and admiration so characteristic of our relationship. Your leadership, Mr. President, has built upon the qualities of which I've just spoken. During a state visit to Colombia last year, you explained, in extreme situations, political wisdom requires utmost levels of tolerance. We learn that tolerance and moderation don't bring bitter fruits and are uncontestable demonstrations of fidelity to the true ideal of democracy. I'm afraid that the future of the country will be a lot of more difficult times for us, and that's why we have to face the challenges of this situation. The future is a long-term, but still a long-term, long-term, long-lasting, long-term, long-lasting struggle. We have to face the challenges of this situation. Mr. President, the motto of Brazil is order and progress, and during these trying times, your country has proven that it takes these words seriously, especially hard hit by rising energy prices, your government made an impressive commitment to do what was necessary to protect your people's standard of living and the Brazilian way of life. As a result of this commitment, your country is now a leader in the development of alternative energy resources, especially the use of alcohol as a fuel in the harnessing of hydroelectric energy. Mr. President, the motto of Brazil is order and progress, and during these trying times, your country has proven that it takes these words seriously, severely hit by rising energy prices, your government made an impressive commitment to do what was necessary to protect the standard of living of your people and the way of living the Brazilian way. Mr. President, the motto of Brazil is order and progress, and during these trying times, your government made an impressive commitment to do what was necessary to protect your people and the way of living the Brazilian way. At Brazil overcomes such obstacles is no surprise to us. We share a similar pioneer heritage. Our two peoples are also similar in that they represent a melting pot of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. But the most significant comparison remains the respect for individual enterprise and diversity that has developed in our two countries. In Brazil, these obstacles are no surprise to us. We have in common a pioneer heritage. Our two countries are also similar in the sense that they represent a chain of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. But the most important parallel remains the respect for individual enterprise and diversity that has developed in our two countries. The Amazon River is to many synonymous with Brazil. Its grandeur, enormity and power stagger the imagination. But so too does Brazil. Let us pledge that we shall always remember and never take for granted the good will between us. President Figueiredo, it has been 11 years since a Brazilian president honored the United States with a state visit. This is too long a period for nations which have so much to contribute to one another. Let us confirm that the personal bonds we develop through this visit will re-enforce the future of Brazil. President Figueiredo, it has been 11 years since a Brazilian president honored the United States with a state visit. This is too long a period for nations which have so much to contribute to one another. Let us confirm that the personal bonds we develop through this visit will strengthen the friendship between our peoples. He reported to me the constructive and amicable approach with which he was met. So today, I look forward to our discussion. I have much to learn from you and seek your counsel on matters of mutual concern. In your annual message to the Brazilian Congress last year you said of Brazil, we seek to understand and to be understood. Well, let this be the basis of our talks today. Two old friends in a period of change, honestly and with sincerity, seeking good will and understanding. We seek to understand and to be understood and to be understood. And let this be the basis of our talks today. Thank you very much. of two old friends who live in a time of transformations in search of honesty and honesty of good will and understanding. And with that said, President Figueiredo, I welcome you to the United States. President Figueiredo, I welcome you to the United States. Mr. President, I am very grateful for the words of salvation that have just been pronounced. Brazil and the United States have been able to conduct their relations in a balanced way, constituting in 150 years a patrimony of appreciation, understanding and respect for reciprocals. Mr. President, thank you for your words of welcome. For over 150 years Brazil and the United States have maintained balanced relations. Ours is a heritage of mutual esteem, understanding and respect. My visit to this country is therefore only a natural development of our bilateral relations. Our relations with the United States play an important role in the framework of our foreign policy. Brazil's progress is predicated upon the diversification and enhancement of its international presence. It is a Brazilian goal to better adapt our bilateral relations to the world of today. To this end, the exchange of information and ideas between our governments should be intensified. I consider it particularly positive that at a time as troubled as we live, we have this opportunity of frank dialogue. The most difficult realities demonstrate all the time that dialogue is a diplomatic instrument of unthinkable value. Under the present difficult circumstances, I regard the opportunity of having an open discussion with you, Mr. President, as particularly positive. The harshest of realities demonstrate repeatedly that dialogue is an invaluable diplomatic tool. I arrive in Washington willing to examine together with you the problems that concern us both in the political and economic fields. I am willing to listen and to speak frankly and objectively. We wish in Brazil to explore in a creative and lasting way the wide range of convergence in the field of interests and values that exist between us and the great country of your excellence. We in Brazil wish to take a lasting and creative approach to the commonality of interests and values existing between us and your great country. The breadth and range of our relations encourages to anticipate favorable results, as our countries have their own unique characteristics and play distinct roles in international and regional politics. The breadth and range of our relations encourages to anticipate favorable results, as our countries have their own unique characteristics and play distinct roles in international as well as regional politics. It is only natural that differences of opinion should exist. We will endeavor to smooth them out through the exchange of ideas, views and clarifications. From the diplomatic angle, we have set the universalist and diversified path to the areas of interest of our foreign policy. Brazil is a country of the West and of the Third World, a Latin American country marked by the African heritage that it received, among others. The Brazilian foreign policy wants to translate to the international plan this inestimable wealth of our historical experience. Mr. President, it is a known fact that in Brazil we are going through a specially significant chapter of our political history during which democratic institutions are being consolidated. From a diplomatic standpoint, we adopt a universalistic approach. Our foreign policy is diversified. Brazil is both a Western and a Third World country. It is a Latin American country with a strong African heritage, among others. Brazilian foreign policy endeavors to reflect this wealth of historical experience. We believe that in a world where reasons of crisis are multiplied, diplomacy must continue to build bridges between states, even in times of despair and conflict. In a world where crisis multiplies, diplomacy must continue to build bridges between states, even in times of despair and conflict, agreement, however difficult, has to be found. In the international sphere, some impasses still remain, such as the issue of nuclear disarmament, of vital importance for the destiny of mankind. The North-South negotiations do not progress. Forging links of cooperation among peoples has never been so vital and so urgent. The ties of mutual confidence among the countries of this continent so that the spirit of conciliation and peace may prosper. Mr. President, in this spirit I want to start my dialogue with you excellently. Our governments are used to understanding. This is our tradition. This will be our future. What about Bob Michael? He doesn't like your budget. You can believe most of it. Well, go on back inside now. Let's go.