[originaltext] Here in Washington, the Clinton Administration is reaffirming

Here in Washington, the Clinton Administration is reaffirming the importance of close ties between the US and a united Canada. Mr Clinton discussed the outcome of the referendum Tuesday with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien. VOA White House correspondent Debora Tate reports. "In the days ahead of the vote, the Clinton Administration had been careful to describe the referendum as an internal matter but had emphasized the importance of US ties with a united Canada. A day after the vote, it was the same message. White House spokesman Mike McCurry says President Clinton spoken by telephone with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien after the ballots were counted Monday night." He reaffirmed the importance of the close relationship that exists between the United States and Canada and said once again how valuable that partnership is between the United States and a strong and united Canada. At the State Department, spokesman Nicholas Burns noted that the US border with Canada is the longest undefended border in the world and therefore he said it is critical for the United States to have a stable northern neighbor. Mr Burns said the United States is fortunate to keep in place a free trade treaty and a defense alliance with a united Canada. Both pacts would have had to be negotiated with a separate Quebec, Debora Tare. VOA News at the White House.