Washington, Friday

President Clinton today gave an emotional send-off to his daughter, Chelsea, at her high school graduation ceremony.

''Though we have raised you for this moment of departure, and we are very proud of you, part of us longs to hold you as we did when you could barely walk,'' Clinton told his 17-year-old daughter at the graduation ceremony at Sidwell Friends school in Washington.

She leaves in autumn for Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

''Our pride and joy are tempered by our coming separation from you,'' Clinton said, speaking on behalf of all the parents at the private school.

He added: ''We hope some day you will have children of your own to bring to this happy day and know how we feel.

''Remember that we love you and, no matter what anybody says, you can come home again.''-Reuter