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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release April 5, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

U.S. to Participate in Expo '98

The United States has accepted the invitation extended by Prime Minister Antonio Guterres of Portugal to participate in the International Exposition to be held in Lisbon, Portugal from May 22 until September 30, 1998. 1998 marks the 500th anniversary of the historic voyage from Europe to India of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, the culmination of the dream of Prince Henry the Navigator. Appropriately, Expo '98 will have as its theme "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future" and will focus on environmental topics.

We share with Portugal a great concern for the world's oceans and welcome a chance to focus attention on their study and well-being. We look forward to working with Portugal, a close friend and long-time NATO ally, with whom we share many common democratic values, to make Expo '98 a success.

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