USA: WASHINGTON: PORTUGAL'S PRIME MINISTER ANTONIO GUTERRES VISIT

(4 Apr 1997) Portuguese/Nat

Portugal's Prime Minister, Antonio Guterres, met U-S President Bill Clinton at the White House Thursday.

He took the opportunity to give his support to the NATO expansion and discuss economic relations between the two countries.

Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Guterres met U-S President Bill Clinton on Thursday at the White House in Washington DC

U-S Vice President Al Gore, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and National Security Adviser Sandy Berger were also included in the closed-door meeting, which also discussions of the two country's economic relations.

At a press conference afterwards, Guterres said the expansion of NATO was like the expansion of Europe - necessary for democracy.

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese)
"This was a perfect occasion to discuss in depth with the United States all the problems of NATO. There is perfect commune of ideas between Portugal and the United States about NATO expansion to the east, due to a new type of relationship of trust with Russia and Ukraine."
SUPER CAPTION: Antonio Guterres, Portuguese Prime Minister

When pressed on Portugal's changing role in NATO following the reform of the military structure, the Prime Minister said his country still had an important role within the alliance organisation.

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese)
"We discussed in depth all the problems derived from the reform of the military structure of NATO. And I think that in general terms Portugal and the United States agree on the issues, but obviously there are questions of detail which have yet to be resolved. There are negotiations at the moment in the Atlantic Alliance, not at a bilateral level, but at a NATO level, so I think there exists between both countries a great deal of cooperation that reinforces Portugal's role within NATO."
SUPER CAPTION: Antonio Guterres, Portuguese Prime Minister

Guterres also said a more unified Europe should maintain a close relationship with the United States, which was important for the economics and defence of all the countries.

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