(JUNE 3, 2000) Standing under an unforgiving sun in the courtyard of the ninth-century cathedral where Charlemagne is buried and where many Holy Roman emperors and German kings were crowned, Mr. Clinton told an audience of several hundred people that to do otherwise would destroy the vision of an undivided Continent.

Mr. Clinton delivered his speech after he was given the Charlemagne Award, which is given to a world leader who furthers the cause of European unity.