I was honored when you presented me with sake that came from His Majesty the Emperor. Be careful, because overall, sake will result in dancing and singing. Well, many people were dancing and singing with or without sake, when this year the young Japanese filmmaker, Keiko Ibi, won and Academy Award for her film on the lives of elderly New Yorkers. Her acceptance speech pointed to the possibilities for understanding and friendship between people of different cultures. That spirit is more important than ever today, as the world community works to end the ethnic and religious cleansing in Kosovo.
Japan truly is a world leader for all that is best in humanity.
And we are pulling for you and working with you for economic policies to lift the lives of Japan's citizens, as well as the people in your region. We share the same dreams for a better future. We are united in an alliance of fundamental importance to peace and freedom. As I said to you in Tokyo, all is possible when our countries join hands. I ask all of you to join me in a toast to the Prime Minister, to Mrs. Obuchi, and to the people of Japan.