 Buenos Tardis and welcome. I'm aware, Mr. President, that today, instead of welcoming you, I should be saying welcome back. My country is most honored that the Mexican people have selected as their new president a man who studied for a time at one of our universities. And this should be no surprise to any of us. The citizens of our two countries are inextricably linked. In commerce and in culture, we're both proud and independent. Yet at the same time, each of our societies is enriched and strengthened by its relationship with the other. Here in the southwest, and especially California, we are keenly aware of our debt to Mexico, the fountainhead of so much of our heritage. It's fitting that we began our day by placing a wreath at the statue of Benito Juarez, a man who also visited the United States before emerging as a great Mexican leader. Juarez, a contemporary of Lincoln, a man acclaimed in the highest levels of our diplomatic community, once said that respect for the rights of others between individuals as between nations is the basis of peace. Today, his words still ring true, but the mutual respect of which he spoke, we will continue the peaceful, amicable, and mutually beneficial relations that are the pride of our two nations. Juarez led your country in a period of great uncertainty. Both Mexico and the United States were engulfed in civil strife. And today, again, both of our people suffer, this time from serious economic problems, a malady which is worldwide in scope. You and your country, Mr. President-elect, as we in the United States, are dedicated to restoring health to a troubled economy. Each nation must confront the crisis in its own way, but as your friend, we stand ready to work with you, recognizing that in times such as these friendships are put to the test. Let there be no doubt that our affection will not only withstand these difficulties, but triumph over them. Indeed, out of economic adversity may spring new incentives to expand the vast economic potential that exists on this proud continent. Our meetings today continue a tradition which began in the first decade of this century. My meetings, as President-elect, and as President-elect, also have been very successful in establishing a personal relationship that proved indispensable. And after getting acquainted today, I am certain that the same core duality and trust that we have in this country, our people and the United States, and the United States, and the United States, and the United States, and the United States, and the United States, and the United States, and the United States, and the United States, and They opened communication lines and established a personal relationship that proved to be indispensable. After having had the opportunity to meet here today, I am sure that that same cordiality and confidence that have played such an important role in the Mexican-American cooperation during the last 21 months will continue and I hope they will increase. Mr. President-elect, I know of your admiration for Jose Maria Morelos, a leader in your country's fight for independence and a man who championed constitutional government. We must never forget that the United States and Mexico represent more than friendly neighbors, something to be proud of in itself, but also two peoples who are dedicated to certain ideals of freedom found in only a few countries. Over these last 21 months, my administration has worked closely with its counterpart in Mexico City in many areas of concern, with particular attention to the stability and independence of Western Hemisphere nations. Your generous contributions to the Caribbean Basin have been much appreciated, and while we have not always agreed on everything, we have developed a firm of respect for your opinions and for the vital role that Mexico plays in international affairs. Mr. President-elect, I know of your admiration for Jose Maria Morelos, a leader in the fight for independence of his country and a man who was a great defender of the constitutional government. We must never forget that the United States and Mexico represent more than two friendly neighbors, something to be proud of in itself, but also two peoples who are dedicated to fighting for a peaceful and a peaceful country. Mr. President, I know of your admiration for Jose Maria Morelos, a leader in the to the stability and independence of the nations of the Western Hemisphere. Its generous contribution to the Caribbean's basin has been very appreciated. While we have not always agreed on all things, we have developed a firm respect for their opinions and for the vital role that Mexico plays in the field of international matters. It's my sincere hope that we can build upon the current spirit of cooperation and that with respect for the rights and dignity of each other, with recognition of our affection and common interests, the friendship for our two countries will serve as a model for free nations everywhere and that our personal relationship will be marked with trust and admiration. I'm confident that will be the case, Mr. President-Elect, because even after our short meetings today, I know you're a man in whom I can confide as a friend. It's my sincere hope that we can build upon the current spirit of existing cooperation and that with respect for the rights and dignity of each other, with recognition of our affection and common interests, the friendship for our two countries will serve as a model for free nations everywhere and that our personal relationship will be marked with trust and admiration. I'm confident that will be the case, Mr. President-Elect, because even after our short meetings today, I know you're a man in whom I can confide as a friend. So now, I ask all of you to join with me in a toast to Miguel de la Madrid, the next President of Mexico. Mr. President, I thank you for the kind and kind hospitality you have given me during this meeting. I express my special recognition for your efforts to begin our conversations in Tijuana with a tribute to President Benito Juárez, which is a symbol that has given the best auspices to our personal relationship. Mr. President, I do appreciate the kind and cordial hospitality that you have shown me throughout this meeting. I particularly thank you for your willingness to begin our meeting with a ceremony in honor of President Benito Juárez, a gesture that represents a symbol providing a good auspice for our personal relations. Benito Juárez represents for the Mexican people a precious piece of our history and everlasting values. He consolidated our national independence in the face of foreign intervention, and he led the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, the United States of America, de diciembre. Este contacto personal y amistoso nos ha permitido un cambio de impresiones libre y espontaneo, sin formalidades o rigidezes en un ambiente de cordialidad y dignidad, características que deben guiar que guían las relaciones entre países, vecinos y amigos como son Estados Unidos y México. I consider our meeting highly beneficial. It is a good prologue to the relations we are to have once I become President of Mexico next December 1st. This personal and friendly contact has allowed a free and spontaneous exchange of opinions without formalities or stiffness in an atmosphere of cordiality and dignity, elements that should be the cornerstones in the relations between countries that are neighbors and friends. Mexico y Estados Unidos han venido construyendo a través de episodios no siempre fáciles o agradables una relación basada en el reconocimiento recíproco de nuestras soberanías e intereses, la larga frontera que nos une y la diversidad de nuestras culturas y etapas de desarrollo económico y social nos obligan a conocernos y comprendernos cada día mejor. Tenemos analogías y diferencias. Si las conocemos y comprendemos, podemos seguir desarrollando nuestras relaciones en provecho de nuestros pueblos. Mexico and the United States have been building throughout different periods of time, some of them not always easy or pleasant, a relation based on the reciprocal recognition of our respective sovereignty and interests. Our long border unites us and the divergence of our cultures and of the stages of our economic and social development compel us to get to know and understand each other better each day. We have differences and similarities. If we recognize them and understand them, we can continue developing our relations for the benefit of our peoples. Tenemos en versiones diferentes la misma vocación por la democracia, la libertad y la justicia social. Cada nación trabaja por conseguir sus objetivos a su propio modo. Como cada hombre debe tener el derecho a construir su propio destino. En la dignidad de nuestro trato está la solidez y la perspectiva favorable de nuestras relaciones. We have, although in a different expression, the same goals, democracy, liberty and social justice. Each nation works in its own way to obtain those objectives, just as every man should have the right to guide its own destiny. In the dignity of our conduct lies the strength and favorable outlook for our relations. He ha firmado la convicción del pueblo de México de que la superación de los problemas económicos que nos afectan deberá fundarse principalmente en nuestro propio esfuerzo. Sabremos hacerlo con responsabilidad y energía. El pueblo de México sabe afrontar la adversidad y superarla con vigor y trabajo organizado. I have asserted the Mexican people's conviction that the solution for our economic problems should be based, essentially, on our own effort. We will do this with responsibility and energy. The Mexican people are capable of facing adversity and rise above it through our strength and organized effort. Pero he es señalado también, señor presidente Reagan, que en el mundo interdependiente que vivimos es necesaria la cooperación internacional para que las naciones afronten con eficacia sus propios problemas. Un ambiente económico internacional negativo como el que vivimos ahora dificulta los esfuerzos internos de cada país. But I have also pointed out, Mr. President, that in the interdependent world in which we live, international cooperation is necessary so as to ensure that nations may effectively solve their own problems. A negative international environment such as the one we live in today makes the internal efforts of each country more difficult. Está en el interés de México que los Estados Unidos tengan una economía sana y próspera y que constituyan un mercado estable y vigoroso para las exportaciones mexicanas de bienes y servicios. Sé que usted está trabajando arduamente para lograr estos objetivos. It is in the interest of Mexico that the United States have a healthy and prosperous economy and that it becomes a stable and vigorous market for Mexican goods and services. I know that you are working hard to achieve these aims. Está en el interés de Estados Unidos como usted lo ha señalado que México supere sus presentes dificultades y que recupere capacidad de crecimiento económico y de generación de empleos. Es natural que Estados Unidos vea compositivo y constructivo interés a un país que es su tercer cliente en el comercio. También la recuperación mexicana es un elemento de importancia para la evolución de la economía mundial y del comercio internacional. It is in the interest of the United States, as you know, that Mexico overcome its current difficulties and that it regain its strength for economic growth and for the creation of jobs. It is only natural that the United States should watch with a constructive interest a country which is its third most important client. The Mexican recovery is also an important element in world economic development and in international trade. Soy optimista, señor presidente Reagan, con respecto al futuro de mi país. Tenemos recursos naturales amplios y diversificados, avances significativos en nuestro desarrollo social, sin que dejemos de reconocer las desigualdades que aún nos afectan. Tenemos la principal riqueza de una nación, una población vigorosa, nacionalista y cada vez mejor preparada para las tareas del desarrollo. Estoy seguro que con esfuerzo, voluntad, equidad y disciplina vamos a superar la crisis por la que atravesamos, que por lo demás no es crisis de estancamiento o decadencia, sino crisis de crecimiento y dinamismo. I am absolutely confident, Mr. President, with respect to the future of my country. We have ample and varied natural resources and a significant progress in our social development. That is not to say we do not have inequality, but we have the most precious wealth of any nation, a strong and nationalistic people, each day better prepared for the tasks of development. I am sure that with effort, with equality and discipline, we will overcome the crisis in which we find ourselves, which is not a crisis of stagnation or decline, but a crisis of growth and dynamism. Los mexicanos tenemos además un activo sólido, un sistema político estable y dinámico, producto de nuestra trayectoria histórica, que aglutina a las fuerzas mayoritarias del país y une a los mexicanos alrededor de un fuerte y arraigado nacionalismo. Nuestro nacionalismo no significa hostilidad ni exclusivismo, atiende a la comprensión de nuestros problemas, al aprovechamiento de nuestros recursos, a la defensa de nuestra independencia política, al aseguramiento de nuestra independencia económica y a la continuidad y acresentamiento de nuestra cultura. We Mexicans have, moreover, a solid asset, a stable and dynamic political system, the product of our historical tradition. It binds together the strongest political forces of the nation and unites Mexicans around a vigorous and deeply rooted nationalism. Our nationalism does not imply hostility or exclusivism. It attends to the understanding of our problems, to the optimum use of our resources, to the defense of our political independence, to the assurance of our economic independence and the continuity and advance of our culture. Los mexicanos queremos la paz para todas las naciones, la solución pacífica de las controversias, el respeto al principio de no intervención, el fortalecimiento de la cooperación económica internacional. We Mexicans want peace for all nations, the peaceful solution of conflicts, respect for the principle of non-intervention and the strengthening of international economic cooperation. Los mexicanos queremos vivir en paz y amistad con nuestros vecinos, en relaciones cordiales, respetuosas, dignas y fructíferas. We also want to live in peace and friendship with our neighbors, enjoying friendly, respectful and fruitful relations with dignity. A todos estos objetivos, señor presidente Reagan, estoy seguro que contribuirá la amistad y relación personal que usted y yo hemos fincado el día de hoy en el curso de nuestras conversaciones. Ellos en beneficio de nuestros grandes pueblos, dejo testimonio expreso, señor presidente Reagan, de la buena voluntad, cordialidad, respeto y simpatía, que usted imprimió a nuestras conversaciones y que seguramente son el prólogo de una era de relaciones amistosas y fructíferas para Estados Unidos y para México. Mr. President, I am sure that the friendship and personal relationship we have built during this meeting will contribute to those goals and shall benefit both our great peoples. I leave testimony of the goodwill and sympathy for the people of Mexico, from the people of Mexico, that you have expressed to me on this opportunity. I believe that this is the prologue and the preamble to a relationship of friendship. I invite all of you to give a warm welcome and prosperity to the people of the United States, President Reagan and the people of Mexico. I also give a warm welcome to Mr. President Reagan for his happiness and his personal well-being. I wish to raise my glass and toast to the friendship and prosperity of the United States and Mexico. I toast to the people of the United States, to your personal happiness, Mr. President, and to your well-being.