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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release November 3, 1997

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

President Clinton's Participation in APEC Leaders' Meeting

President Clinton will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 5th Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia November 24-25. This meeting, hosted by Prime Minister Jean Chretien of Canada, will bring together the leaders of the 18 economies that comprise the APEC organization. It will be preceded by an APEC Ministerial Meeting on November 22-23.

Discussions at the annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting are expected to focus on strengthening growth and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Leaders will review progress on advancing their regional trade agenda and addressing common challenges, ranging from infrastructure to the environment.

APEC, formed in 1989, is a regional organization devoted to enhancing trade and investment ties among the economies of the Asia Pacific. The first APEC Leaders' Meeting was hosted by President Clinton in 1993 at Blake Island, Washington; a second meeting in 1994 was hosted by President Soeharto in Bogor, Indonesia; a third meeting in 1995 was hosted by former Prime Minister Murayama in Osaka, Japan; and last year's meeting was hosted by President Ramos of the Philippines at Subic Bay.

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