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Talking Points - U.S. Embassy, Paris 7/17/89
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Talking Points - U.S. Embassy, Paris 7/17/89
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13495
Folder ID Number:
13495-015
Folder Title:
Talking Points - U.S. Embassy, Paris 7/17/89
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25
6
4
1
FWE
TALKING POINTS
U.S. EMBASSY, PARIS, FRANCE
MONDAY, JULY 17, 1989
8:00 A.M.
-- I WANT TO THANK SECRETARY BAKER FOR THAT WARM
INTRODUCTION AND -- ON HIS BEHALF, AND MINE AND
BARBARA'S, AND ALL THOSE TRAVELING WITH US -- EXPRESS
OUR GRATITUDE TO AMBASSADOR CURLEY AND TO ALL OF YOU IN
THE EMBASSY.
- 2 -
-- AND LET ME THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
BECAUSE I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT SURVIVING A VISIT FROM A
PRESIDENT. WE HAD ONE IN BEIJING WHEN I SERVED AS
AMBASSADOR. AND I WAS SURE GLAD TO SEE HIM GO. AND IF
THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, WE SURVIVED TWO FROM HENRY
KISSINGER. TRY THAT ONE ON FOR SIZE.
- 3 -
-- I ALSO HAVE SOME PARTICULAR THANKS, BEGINNING WITH
THOSE THAT ARE TOO OFTEN MENTIONED LAST: THE U.S.
MARINES, THE EMBASSY AND OECD STAFF, YOUR SPOUSES AND
KIDS WHO PITCHED IN AND PUT UP WITH THE OVERTIME, AND
THE FRENCH NATIONALS WHO HELP YOU WITH ALL THE
ARRANGEMENTS.
- 4 -
-- I KNOW THAT YOU HERE IN PARIS ARE OLD HANDS AT THIS
SORT OF THING. BUT THIS WAS A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED
VISIT THAN USUAL -- INVOLVING AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT, A
BILATERAL VISIT TO FRANCE, AND THE BICENTENNIAL
FESTIVITIES. NEVERTHELESS, YOU PULLED IT OFF WITH
CHARACTERISTIC STYLE. THANKS TO YOU, WE MUST BE THE
ONLY AMERICAN TRAVELERS IN PARIS WHO LANDED HOTEL
RESERVATIONS.
- 5 -
-- To MY COLLEAGUES HERE I OFFER MANY SPECIFIC THANKS.
EACH AFTERNOON AS YOUR DAY IN PARIS WINDS DOWN, IT IS
MORNING IN WASHINGTON AND MY DAILY BRIEFING IS ABOUT TO
BEGIN. No ONE VALUES YOUR SOUND REPORTING EFFORTS MORE
THAN ME.
- 6 -
-- I ALSO APPRECIATE THE PARTICULAR BURDEN PLACED ON
THIS EMBASSY'S RESOURCES BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO COME TO PARIS AND NEED YOUR
HELP. You HAVE ALWAYS RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY, AND
ONCE AGAIN PUT IN A STELLAR PERFORMANCE FOR THIS VISIT.
- 7 -
-- You SPEND LONG HOURS WORKING TO MEET THE FOREIGN
POLICY OBJECTIVES OF OUR NATION, TO STRENGTHEN OUR
ECONOMY, TO ENHANCE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, AND TO
PROTECT U.S. CITIZENS OVERSEAS. I WANT TO TELL YOU
THAT YOUR WORK IN PARIS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED BY ME
PERSONALLY AND BY SECRETARY BAKER.
- 8 -
-- THANKS TO YOU WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE TALKS WITH
PRESIDENT MITTERAND AND MANY OF THE WORLD LEADERS
GATHERED HERE. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO ENJOY THE THRILL
OF PARTICIPATING IN THE IMPRESSIVE BICENTENNIAL
CELEBRATIONS.
-- AND I CARE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN PART OF AN EMBASSY
ONCE, AND WHEN YOU'VE DONE THAT YOU KNOW HOW PEOPLE
PULL TOGETHER.
- 9 -
I HAVE RESPECT FOR THE FOREIGN SERVICE. I HAVE RESPECT
FOR THOSE IN THE MILITARY SERVING ABROAD. AND I HAVE
RESPECT FOR THOSE IN THE OTHER AGENCIES THAT MAKE UP A
GREAT EMBASSY LIKE THIS.
-- AND, BEFORE LEAVING, I WANT TO COMMEND AMBASSADOR
CURLEY TO YOU. IN ADDITION TO A LONG CAREER IN BOTH
GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUSINESS, HE HAS BEEN MY FRIEND
FOR MANY YEARS.
- 10 -
JUDGING BY YOUR FIRST CLASS WORK THESE PAST FEW DAYS --
YOU DESERVE THE BEST -- AND I THINK YOU HAVE THE BEST.
I KNOW YOU WILL MAKE HIM PROUD.
-- ONCE AGAIN, BARBARA AND I WISH TO THANK ALL THE MEN
AND WOMEN OF THE PARIS EMBASSY WHO MADE THIS VISIT SUCH
A SUCCESS.
- 11 -
GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE
DOING FOR THE WORLD'S GREATEST EXPERIMENT IN FREEDOM
AND DIVERSITY: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THANK
YOU ALL.
#
#
#
Document No. 051503SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 7/7/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 7/7/89 6:00 PM
SUBJECT: TALKING POINTS/U.S. EMBASSY, PARIS, FRANCE
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
:
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
WINSTON
CARD
CICCONI
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 6:00 PM, Friday, July 7, 1989, with an
info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
61 : Pd L 7nr 68
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
TALKING POINTS
U.S. EMBASSY, PARIS, FRANCE
MONDAY, JULY 17, 1989
8:00 A.M.
-- I WANT TO THANK SECRETARY BAKER FOR THAT WARM
INTRODUCTION AND -- ON HIS BEHALF, AND MINE AND
BARBARA'S, AND ALL THOSE TRAVELING WITH US -- EXPRESS
OUR GRATITUDE TO AMBASSADOR CURLEY AND TO ALL OF YOU IN
THE EMBASSY.
- 2 -
-- AND LET ME THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART
BECAUSE I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT SURVIVING A VISIT FROM A
PRESIDENT. WE HAD ONE IN BEIJING WHEN I SERVED AS
AMBASSADOR. AND I WAS SURE GLAD TO SEE HIM GO. AND IF
THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, WE SURVIVED TWO FROM HENRY
KISSINGER. TRY THAT ONE ON FOR SIZE.
- 3 -
-- I ALSO HAVE SOME PARTICULAR THANKS, BEGINNING WITH
THOSE THAT ARE TOO OFTEN MENTIONED LAST: THE U.S.
MARINES, THE EMBASSY AND OECD STAFF, YOUR SPOUSES AND
KIDS WHO PITCHED IN AND PUT UP WITH THE OVERTIME, AND
THE FRENCH NATIONALS WHO HELP YOU WITH ALL THE
ARRANGEMENTS.
- 4 -
-- I KNOW THAT YOU HERE IN PARIS ARE OLD HANDS AT THIS
SORT OF THING. BUT THIS WAS A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED
VISIT THAN USUAL -- INVOLVING AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT, A
BILATERAL VISIT TO FRANCE, AND THE BICENTENNIAL
FESTIVITIES. NEVERTHELESS, YOU PULLED IT OFF WITH
CHARACTERISTIC STYLE. THANKS TO YOU, WE MUST BE THE
ONLY AMERICAN TRAVELERS IN PARIS WHO LANDED HOTEL
RESERVATIONS.
1
- 5 -
-- To MY COLLEAGUES HERE I OFFER MANY SPECIFIC THANKS.
EACH AFTERNOON AS YOUR DAY IN PARIS WINDS DOWN, IT IS
MORNING IN WASHINGTON AND MY DAILY BRIEFING IS ABOUT TO
BEGIN. No ONE VALUES YOUR SOUND REPORTING EFFORTS MORE
THAN ME.
- 6 -
-- I ALSO APPRECIATE THE PARTICULAR BURDEN PLACED ON
THIS EMBASSY'S RESOURCES BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO COME TO PARIS AND NEED YOUR
HELP. You HAVE ALWAYS RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY, AND
ONCE AGAIN PUT IN A STELLAR PERFORMANCE FOR THIS VISIT.
- 7 -
-- You SPEND LONG HOURS WORKING TO MEET THE FOREIGN
POLICY OBJECTIVES OF OUR NATION, TO STRENGTHEN OUR
ECONOMY, TO ENHANCE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, AND TO
PROTECT U.S. CITIZENS OVERSEAS. I WANT TO TELL YOU
THAT YOUR WORK IN PARIS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED BY ME
PERSONALLY AND BY SECRETARY BAKER.
- 8 -
-- THANKS TO YOU WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE TALKS WITH
PRESIDENT MITTERAND AND MANY OF THE WORLD LEADERS
GATHERED HERE. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO ENJOY THE THRILL
OF PARTICIPATING IN THE IMPRESSIVE BICENTENNIAL
CELEBRATIONS.
-- AND I CARE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN PART OF AN EMBASSY
ONCE, AND WHEN YOU'VE DONE THAT YOU KNOW HOW PEOPLE
PULL TOGETHER.
- 9 -
I HAVE RESPECT FOR THE FOREIGN SERVICE. I HAVE RESPECT
FOR THOSE IN THE MILITARY SERVING ABROAD. AND I HAVE
RESPECT FOR THOSE IN THE OTHER AGENCIES THAT MAKE UP A
GREAT EMBASSY LIKE THIS.
-- AND, BEFORE LEAVING, I WANT TO COMMEND AMBASSADOR
CURLEY TO YOU. IN ADDITION TO A LONG CAREER IN BOTH
GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUSINESS, HE HAS BEEN MY FRIEND
FOR MANY YEARS.
- 10 -
JUDGING BY YOUR FIRST CLASS WORK THESE PAST FEW DAYS --
YOU DESERVE THE BEST -- AND I THINK YOU HAVE THE BEST.
I KNOW YOU WILL MAKE HIM PROUD.
-- ONCE AGAIN, BARBARA AND I WISH TO THANK ALL THE MEN
AND WOMEN OF THE PARIS EMBASSY WHO MADE THIS VISIT SUCH
A SUCCESS.
- 11 -
GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE
DOING FOR THE WORLD'S GREATEST EXPERIMENT IN FREEDOM
AND DIVERSITY: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THANK
YOU ALL.
#
# #
Draft Remarks
Secretary's Introduction of the President
To American Embassy Community
Ambassador Curley, Mary, ladies and gentlemen:
It is wonderful to be in Paris again and to have the
opportunity at last to meet you. Many of you have been working
very hard to support this trip, and have displayed great
dedication and skill. I want you to know how much I personally
appreciate all you have done.
Your efforts have not been in vain. Thanks to you we have
been able to hold very useful consultations with our friends
among the world's leading economic powers and with the leaders
of other governments who are in town for the celebration of the
bicentennial of the French Revolution. Perhaps most important,
we have been able to pay tribute to the ideals of personal
freedom and equality which were heralded here two hundred years
ago. These common values provide the bedrock on which our
historic friendship with France rests. For this reason it was
no surprise that we received a warm welcome when it came time
to renew old acquaintances with President Mitterrand and his
colleagues.
Before the President makes his remarks, 1 want to offer my
respects to my friend, Ambassador Curley. 1 am sure that you
have already learned what a capable gentleman he is. We are
all lucky to have him.
Thank you again for your good work. Now I have the honor
to present the President of the United States and Mrs. Bush.
(McNally/Simon)
July 6, 1989
1:30 p.m.
Draft One
(PARIS)
TALKING POINTS
U.S. EMBASSY, PARIS, FRANCE
TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1989
:00 P.M.
Pt
-- I want to thank Secretary Baker for that warm introduction and
-- on his behalf, and mine and Barbara's, and all those traveling
with us -- express our gratitude to Ambassador Curley and to all
of you in the Embassy.
-- And let me thank you from the bottom of my heart because I
know something about surviving a visit from a President. We had
one in Beijing when I served as Ambassador. And I was sure glad
to see him go. And if that wasn't enough, we survived two from
Henry Kissinger. Try that one on for size.
-- I also have some particular thanks, beginning with those that
are too often mentioned last: the U.S. Marines, the Embassy and
OECD staff, your spouses and kids who pitched in and put up with
the overtime, and the French nationals who help you with all the
arrangements.
--- I know that you here in Paris are old hands at this sort of
thing. But this was a much more complicated visit than usual --
involving an economic summit, a bilateral visit to France, and
the bicentennial festivities. Nevertheless, you pulled it off
with characteristic style. Thanks to you, we must be the only
American travelers in Paris who landed hotel reservations.
-- To my colleagues here I offer many specific thanks. Each
afternoon as your day in Paris winds down, it is morning in
Washington and my daily briefing is about to begin. No one
values your sound reporting efforts more than me.
-- 1 also appreciate the particular burden placed on this
Embassy's resources by the large number of government officials
who come to Paris and need your help. You have always responded
magnificently, and once again put in a stellar performance for
this visit.
-- You spend long hours working to meet the foreign policy
objectives of our nation, to strengthen our economy, to enhance
our national security, and to protect U.S. citizens overseas. I
want to tell you that your work in Paris is greatly appreciated
by me personally and by Secretary Baker.
-- Thanks to you we were able to have talks with President
Mitterand and many of the world leaders gathered here. We were
also able to enjoy the thrill of participating in the impressive
bicentennial celebrations.
-- And 1 care because I've been part of an Embassy once, and when
you've done that you know how people pull together. I have
respect for the Foreign Service. 1 have respect for those in the
military serving abroad. And I have respect for those in the
other agencies that make up a great Embassy like this.
-- And, before leaving, I want to commend Ambassador Curley to
you. In addition to a long career in both government and private
business, he has been my friend for many years. Judging by your
first class work these past few days -- you deserve the best --
and I think you have the best. I know you will make him proud.
-- Once again, Barbara and I wish to thank all the men and women
of the Paris Embassy who made this visit such. a success. God
bless each and every one of you for what you're doing for the
world's greatest experiment in freedom and diversity: the United
States of America. Thank you all.
#
#
#