Address by Václav Havel during the White House Arrival Ceremony

Washington, D.C., September 16, 1998

Mr. President,
Dear Hillary,

Thank you for your invitation!

I have arrived in the United States at a time when all of Central Europe is remembering the 80th anniversary of the fall of the Habsburg monarchy and self-liberation of its nations. A significant role was played in the process by the support of the United States, and, personally, by that of President Wilson. America, though geographically distant, stood up for the ideals of freedom and democracy in our region. I cannot fail to mention the fact that President Wilson had a distinguished partner in this quest in the person of our first President, TomᚠGarrigue Masaryk.

Unfortunately, the hopes of that time were reduced to dust. Europe was overrun by the tempest of fascism, Nazism, national chauvinism, and, finally, by communism.

I consider it one of the truly great experience of my life that I have arrived in America at a time when I may acknowledge the work which virtually assures that the hopes of 1918 will at last be fulfilled. You certainly know that I am referring to American support, as well as to your personal support, Mr. President, for the enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Mr. President, there is no doubt in my mind that it was your personal leadership that made this historic development possible. I perceive the Alliance, with American presence in Europe, as one of the most important guarantees of our democratic development. At the same time, I firmly believe that the enlargement process will not end at the Polish, Czech, and Hungarian borders.

Mr. President,

Finally, I am delighted to have arrived in your country at a time which I honestly believe to be characterized by the best relations to this point in history between your large and powerful nation, and our state in the very center of Europe.

I am delighted to have arrived in your country at a time when we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was also born on American soil.

Mr. President,

I am delighted to have arrived in this large, diverse and interesting land. I am also pleased to reaffirm in front of everybody that my wife and I consider you, Mr. President, and the First Lady as our great friends.

Thank you.