Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323152199
label
UN General Assembly 9/21/92 [OA 5813]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323152199
contentType
document
title
UN General Assembly 9/21/92 [OA 5813]
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13642-009
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Draft Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323152199
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
af701e3a8a31539d
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13642
Folder ID Number:
13642-009
Folder Title:
UN General Assembly 9/21/92 [OA 5813]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
18
5
1
"THE CHALLENGES OF OUR AGE:
PEACEKEEPING, PROLIFERATION, AND PROSPERITY"
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SEPTEMBER 21, 1992
MR. PRESIDENT, MR. SECRETARY-GENERAL, DISTINGUISHED
GUESTS:
FORTY SEVEN YEARS AGO, I WAS A YOUNG MAN OF TWENTY
ONE. LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS OF MY GENERATION, I HAD
GONE OFF TO WAR TO HELP KEEP FREEDOM ALIVE. BUT FORTY
SEVEN YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, THE WAR WAS FINALLY OVER,
AND I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO PEACE AND THE CHANCE TO
BEGIN MY LIFE IN EARNEST.
1945 MARKED A MOMENT OF PROMISE NOT JUST FOR ME BUT
FOR ALL MANKIND. A GREAT STRUGGLE AGAINST DICTATORSHIP
HAD BEEN FOUGHT AND WON. ACROSS THE GLOBE, WE ALL
LOOKED FORWARD TO A FUTURE FREE OF WAR, A WORLD WHERE
WE MIGHT RAISE OUR CHILDREN IN PEACE AND FREEDOM. THIS
INSTITUTION -- THE UNITED NATIONS -- BORN AMIDST THE
ASHES OF WAR, EMBODIED THOSE HOPES AND DREAMS LIKE NO
OTHER.
- 2 -
BUT THE HOPES AND DREAMS OF 1945 REMAINED
UNFULFILLED. COMMUNIST IMPERIALISM DIVIDED THE WORLD
IN TWO. OUR HOPES FOR PEACE AND OUR DREAMS OF FREEDOM
WERE FROZEN IN THE GRIP OF COLD WAR. INSTEAD OF
FINDING COMMON GROUND, WE FOUND OURSELVES AT GROUND
ZERO. INSTEAD OF LIVING ON CHURCHILL'S "BROAD, SUNLIT
UPLANDS", MILLIONS FOUND THAT THERE WAS -- AS ARTHUR
KOESTLER so CHILLINGLY WROTE -- DARKNESS AT NOON.
INSTEAD OF UNITING THE NATIONS, THIS BODY BECAME A
FORUM FOR DISTRUST AND DIVISION AMONG NATIONS. IN A
CRUEL IRONY, THE UNITED NATIONS -- CREATED TO FREE THE
WORLD OF CONFLICT BECAME ITSELF CONFLICT'S CAPTIVE.
// I, Too, LIVED THROUGH THOSE DISPUTES. I SAT WHERE
YOU SAT, SERVED IN THIS ASSEMBLY - AND I SAW IN MY
TIME THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE COLD WAR'S HOT WORDS ON
THE HIGHER MISSIONS OF THE U.N.
- 3 -
NOW, FORTY SEVEN YEARS LATER, WE STAND AT THE END
OF ANOTHER WAR -- THE COLD WAR - - -- AND OUR HOPES AND
DREAMS HAVE AWAKENED AGAIN. RIVEN BY ITS OWN INTERNAL
CONTRADICTIONS AND BANISHED BY THE PEOPLES' UNDYING
THIRST FOR FREEDOM, IMPERIAL COMMUNISM HAS COLLAPSED IN
ITS BIRTHPLACE. TODAY, RUSSIA HAS AWAKENED:
DEMOCRATIC, INDEPENDENT, AND FREE. THE BALTIC STATES
ARE FREE. AND so, Too, ARE UKRAINE, ARMENIA, BELARUS,
KAZAKHSTAN, AND THE OTHER NEW INDEPENDENT STATES,
JOINING THE NATIONS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE IN
FREEDOM.
- 4 -
THE FEAR OF NUCLEAR ARMAGEDDON BETWEEN THE
SUPERPOWERS HAS VANISHED. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE DONE
OUR PART TO ENSURE THAT OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE
TO PRACTICE HIDING UNDER THEIR DESKS FOR FEAR OF
NUCLEAR ATTACK -- AS THE GENERATION BEFORE THEM. I AM
PROUD, ALSO, TO SALUTE THE COURAGEOUS LEADERS WITH
NUCLEAR RESPONSIBILITIES -- PRESIDENTS YELTSIN,
KRAVCHUK, NAZARBAYEV, AND SHUSHKEVICH -- WHO JOINED ME
IN ENDING THE SUPERPOWER STANDOFF THAT RISKED NUCLEAR
NIGHTMARE. THIS IS THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SEAT
YOU AS TRULY INDEPENDENT AND FREE NATIONS. TO YOU AND
TO THE LEADERS OF THE OTHER NEW INDEPENDENT STATES, I
SAY: WELCOME HOME. WE ARE NOW TRULY UNITED NATIONS.
WITH THE COLD WAR'S END, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A UNIQUE
OPPORTUNITY: TO GO BEYOND ARTIFICIAL DIVISIONS OF A
FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD WORLD, TO FORGE INSTEAD A
GENUINE GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF FREE AND SOVEREIGN NATIONS
-- A COMMUNITY BUILT ON RESPECT FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF
PEACEFUL SETTLEMENTS OF DISPUTES, FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN
RIGHTS, AND THE TWIN PILLARS OF FREEDOM: DEMOCRACY AND
FREE MARKETS.
- 5 -
ALREADY, THE UNITED NATIONS -- ESPECIALLY THE
SECURITY COUNCIL - HAS DONE MUCH TO FULFILL ITS
ORIGINAL MISSION AND TO BUILD THIS GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
U.N. LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN CRITICAL IN RESOLVING
CONFLICTS AND BROKERING PEACE THE WORLD OVER.
BUT SECURING DEMOCRACY AND SECURING THE PEACE IN
THE CENTURY AHEAD WILL BE NO SIMPLE TASK. IMPERIAL
COMMUNISM MAY HAVE BEEN VANQUISHED, BUT THAT DOES NOT
END THE CHALLENGES OF OUR AGE -- -- CHALLENGES THAT MUST
BE OVERCOME IF WE ARE FINALLY TO END THE DIVISIONS
BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, NORTH AND SOUTH THAT FUEL STRIFE
AND STRAIN AND CONFLICT AND WAR.
AS WE SUPPORT THE HISTORIC GROWTH OF DEMOCRACY
AROUND THE WORLD, I BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS -
- AND THE UNITED NATIONS - -- FACE THREE CRITICAL,
INTERRELATED CHALLENGES AS WE ENTER THE TWENTY-FIRST
CENTURY.
- 6 -
FIRST, WE FACE THE POLITICAL CHALLENGE OF KEEPING
TODAY'S PEACE AND PREVENTING TOMORROW'S WARS. AS WE
SEE DAILY IN BOSNIA, SOMALIA, CAMBODIA -- EVERYWHERE
CONFLICT CLAIMS INNOCENT LIVES -- THE NEED FOR ENHANCED
PEACEKEEPING CAPABILITIES HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER, THE
CONFLICTS WE MUST DEAL WITH MORE INTRACTABLE, THE COSTS
OF CONFLICT HIGHER.
SECOND, WE FACE THE STRATEGIC CHALLENGE OF THE
PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- TRULY
THE FASTEST GROWING SECURITY CHALLENGE TO INTERNATIONAL
PEACE AND ORDER.
THIRD, WE FACE THE COMMON ECONOMIC CHALLENGE OF
PROMOTING PROSPERITY FOR ALL, OF STRENGTHENING AN OPEN,
GROWTH-ORIENTED FREE-MARKET INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC
ORDER WHILE SAFEGUARDING THE ENVIRONMENT.
MEETING THESE CHALLENGES WILL REQUIRE US TO
STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE ENGAGEMENT. IT WILL REQUIRE
US TO TRANSFORM OUR COLLECTIVE INSTITUTIONS.
- 7 -
ABOVE ALL, IT WILL REQUIRE THAT EACH OF US LOOK
SERIOUSLY AT OUR OWN GOVERNMENTS AND HOW WE CONDUCT OUR
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. WE, Too, MUST CHANGE OUR
INSTITUTIONS AND OUR PRACTICES IF WE ARE TO MAKE A NEW
WORLD OF THE PROMISE OF TODAY -- IF WE ARE TO SECURE A
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PEACE.
WITH YOU TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THESE THREE
CHALLENGES -- PEACEKEEPING, PROLIFERATION, AND
PROSPERITY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO BEGIN TO SKETCH HOW I BELIEVE THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MEET THESE THREE
CHALLENGES AND HOW THE UNITED STATES IS CHANGING ITS
INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES TO CATALYZE THIS EFFORT.
LET ME BEGIN WITH PEACEKEEPING.
- 8 -
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED
HISTORY OF PEACEKEEPING AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF. FROM
CYPRUS AND LEBANON TO CAMBODIA AND CROATIA, THE BLUE
BERET HAS BECOME A SYMBOL OF HOPE AMID HOSTILITY. THE
U.N. HAS LONG PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN PREVENTING
CONFLICTS FROM TURNING INTO WARS, AND STRENGTHENED
PEACEKEEPING CAPABILITIES CAN HELP BUTTRESS THESE
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS.
BUT AS MUCH AS THE U.N. HAS DONE, IT CAN DO MUCH
MORE.
PEACEKEEPERS ARE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT WHILE
DEMANDS FOR THEIR SERVICES INCREASE BY THE DAY. THE
NEED FOR MONITORING AND PREVENTIVE PEACEKEEPING --
PUTTING PEOPLE ON THE GROUND BEFORE THE FIGHTING STARTS
-- MAY BECOME ESPECIALLY CRITICAL IN VOLATILE REGIONS.
- 9 -
THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE BECAUSE OF THE RAPID
AND TURBULENT CHANGE THAT CONTINUES TO SHAKE EASTERN
EUROPE AND EURASIA. ACROSS THE LANDS THAT ONCE WERE
IMPRISONED BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN, PEOPLES ARE
REASSERTING THEIR HISTORICAL IDENTITIES THAT WERE
FROZEN IN COMMUNISM'S CATACOMB.
/
WHERE THIS IS TAKING PLACE IN A DEMOCRATIC MANNER
WITH TOLERANCE AND CIVILITY AND RESPECT FOR FUNDAMENTAL
HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, THIS NEW, DEMOCRATIC
NATIONALISM IS ALL TO THE GOOD. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE
NEED ONLY LOOK TO THE BLOODY BATTLES RAGING PLACES SUCH
AS THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA TO SEE THE DANGERS OF ETHNIC
VIOLENCE.
- 10 -
THIS IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE "DEMOCRATIC
PEACE" WE HOPE TO BUILD WITH EASTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA,
AND EURASIA, EVEN MORE so THAN ECONOMIC DEPRIVATION.
WE FULLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF NATO, C.S.C.E., W.E.U.,
THE C.I.S., AND OTHER COMPETENT REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
TO DEVELOP PEACEKEEPING CAPABILITIES. WE ARE
CONVINCED, HOWEVER, THAT ENHANCED U.N. CAPABILITIES ARE
A NECESSARY COMPLEMENT TO THESE REGIONAL EFFORTS NOT
JUST IN EUROPE AND EURASIA BUT ACROSS THE GLOBE.
I WELCOME THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S CALL FOR A NEW
AGENDA TO STRENGTHEN THE U.N.'S ABILITY TO PREVENT,
CONTAIN, AND RESOLVE CONFLICT ACROSS THE GLOBE. TODAY,
I CALL UPON ALL MEMBER STATES TO JOIN ME IN TAKING BOLD
STEPS TO ADVANCE THAT AGENDA.
I THEREFORE WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH MY COLLEAGUES
THE MERITS OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS
SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S
PROPOSALS AND TO DEVELOP CONCRETE RESPONSES IN FIVE KEY
AREAS:
- 11 -
ONE, ROBUST PEACEKEEPING REQUIRES MEN AND EQUIPMENT
ONLY MEMBER STATES CAN PROVIDE. NATIONS SHOULD DEVELOP
AND TRAIN MILITARY UNITS FOR POSSIBLE PEACEKEEPING
OPERATIONS AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF. THESE FORCES MUST
BE AVAILABLE ON SHORT NOTICE AT THE REQUEST OF THE
SECURITY COUNCIL AND WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE
GOVERNMENTS PROVIDING THEM.
TWO, IF MULTINATIONAL UNITS ARE TO WORK TOGETHER,
THEY MUST TRAIN TOGETHER. MANY NATIONS -- FOR EXAMPLE,
FIJI, NORWAY, CANADA, AND FINLAND -- HAVE A LONG
HISTORY OF PEACEKEEPING, AND WE CAN ALL TAP INTO THAT
EXPERIENCE AS WE TRAIN FOR EXPANDED OPERATIONS.
EFFECTIVE MULTINATIONAL ACTION WILL ALSO REQUIRE
COORDINATED COMMAND-AND-CONTROL AND INTEROPERABILITY OF
BOTH EQUIPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS. MULTINATIONAL
PLANNING, TRAINING, AND FIELD EXERCISES WILL BE NEEDED.
THESE EFFORTS SHOULD LINK UP WITH REGIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS.
- 12 -
THREE, WE ALSO NEED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LOGISTICAL
SUPPORT FOR PEACEKEEPING AND HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS.
MEMBER STATES SHOULD DESIGNATE STOCKPILES OF RESOURCES
NECESSARY TO MEET HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING
FAMINES, FLOODS, OR CIVIL DISTURBANCES. THIS WILL SAVE
VALUABLE TIME IN A CRISIS.
FOUR, WE WILL NEED TO DEVELOP PLANNING, CRISIS
MANAGEMENT, AND INTELLIGENCE CAPABILITIES FOR
PEACEKEEPING AND HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS.
FIVE, WE MUST ENSURE ADEQUATE, EQUITABLE FINANCING
FOR U.N. AND ASSOCIATED PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS.
AS I SAID, WE MUST CHANGE OUR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
IF WE ARE TO CHANGE OUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, so LET
ME ASSURE YOU: THE UNITED STATES IS READY TO DO ITS
PART TO STRENGTHEN WORLD PEACE BY STRENGTHENING
INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING.
- 13 -
FOR DECADES, THE AMERICAN MILITARY HAS SERVED AS A
STABILIZING PRESENCE AROUND THE GLOBE. I WANT TO DRAW
ON OUR EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN WINNING WARS AND KEEPING
THE PEACE TO SUPPORT U.N. PEACEKEEPING.
I HAVE DIRECTED THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO
PLACE A NEW EMPHASIS ON PEACEKEEPING. BECAUSE OF
PEACEKEEPING'S GROWING IMPORTANCE AS A MISSION FOR THE
US MILITARY, WE WILL EMPHASIZE TRAINING OF COMBAT,
ENGINEERING, AND LOGISTICAL UNITS FOR THE FULL RANGE OF
PEACEKEEPING AND HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES. WE WILL WORK
WITH THE UNITED NATIONS TO BEST EMPLOY OUR CONSIDERABLE
LIFT, LOGISTICS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND INTELLIGENCE
CAPABILITIES TO SUPPORT PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS. AND
WE WILL OFFER OUR CAPABILITIES FOR JOINT SIMULATIONS
AND EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO UNDERTAKE
JOINT PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS. THERE IS ROOM FOR ALL
COUNTRIES LARGE AND SMALL, AND I HOPE ALL WILL PLAY A
PART.
- 14 -
MEMBER STATES, AS ALWAYS, MUST RETAIN THE FINAL
DECISION ON THE USE OF THEIR TROOPS. BUT WE MUST
DEVELOP OUR ABILITY TO COORDINATE PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS
so THAT WE CAN MOBILIZE QUICKLY WHEN A THREAT TO PEACE
ARISES OR WHEN PEOPLE IN NEED LOOK TO THE WORLD FOR
HELP.
I HAVE FURTHER DIRECTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
PERMANENT PEACEKEEPING CURRICULUM IN US MILITARY
SCHOOLS.
TRAINING, PLAINLY, IS KEY. THE UNITED STATES IS
PREPARED TO MAKE AVAILABLE OUR BASES AND FACILITIES FOR
MULTINATIONAL TRAINING AND FIELD EXERCISES. ONE SUCH
BASE NEARBY WITH FACILITIES IS FORT DIX. AMERICA USED
THESE BASES TO WIN THE COLD WAR; TODAY, WITH THAT WAR
OVER, THEY CAN HELP BUILD A LASTING PEACE.
- 15 -
THE UNITED STATES IS WILLING TO PROVIDE OUR
MILITARY EXPERTISE TO THE UNITED NATIONS TO HELP THE
U.N. STRENGTHEN ITS PLANNING AND OPERATIONS FOR
PEACEKEEPING. WE WILL ALSO BROADEN AMERICAN SUPPORT
FOR MONITORING, VERIFICATION, RECONNAISSANCE, AND OTHER
REQUIREMENTS OF U.N. PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE OPERATIONS.
FINALLY, THE UNITED STATES WILL REVIEW HOW WE FUND
PEACEKEEPING AND EXPLORE NEW WAYS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE
AMERICAN FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR U.N. PEACEKEEPING AND
HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES. I DO BELIEVE WE MUST THINK
DIFFERENTLY ABOUT HOW WE ENSURE -- AND PAY FOR -- OUR
SECURITY IN THIS NEW ERA.
WHILE THE END OF THE COLD WAR MAY HAVE ENDED THE
SUPERPOWER NUCLEAR ARMS COMPETITION, REGIONAL
COMPETITIONS IN WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION CONTINUE.
OVER TWENTY COUNTRIES HAVE OR ARE DEVELOPING NUCLEAR,
CHEMICAL, OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AND THE MEANS TO
DELIVER THEM.
- 16 -
AT A TIME WHEN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS FORMER
ADVERSARIES ARE ENGAGED IN DEEP, HISTORIC CUTS IN OUR
NUCLEAR ARSENALS, OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WILL
NEVER FORGIVE US IF WE ALLOW NEW AND UNSTABLE NUCLEAR
STAND-OFFS TO DEVELOP AROUND THE WORLD.
WE BELIEVE THE SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD BECOME A KEY
FORUM FOR NONPROLIFERATION ENFORCEMENT. THE SECURITY
COUNCIL SHOULD MAKE CLEAR ITS INTENTION TO STEM
PROLIFERATION AND SANCTION PROLIFERATORS. REAFFIRMING
ASSURANCES MADE AT THE TIME THE NUCLEAR
NONPROLIFERATION TREATY WAS NEGOTIATED, I PROPOSE THAT
THE SECURITY COUNCIL REASSURE NON-NUCLEAR STATES THAT
IT WILL SEEK IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER, TO ANY NON-NUCLEAR WEAPON
STATE PARTY TO THE N.P.T. THAT IS A VICTIM OF AN ACT OF
AGGRESSION OR AN OBJECT OF THREAT OF AGGRESSION
INVOLVING NUCLEAR WEAPONS. I ALSO CALL FOR THE
INDEFINITE RENEWAL OF THE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION
TREATY WHEN IT IS REVIEWED IN 1995.
- 17 -
I BELIEVE WE MUST EXPLORE WAYS WE CAN STRENGTHEN
LINKAGES BETWEEN THE SUPPLIERS CLUBS' -- THE NUCLEAR
SUPPLIERS' GROUP, THE AUSTRALIA GROUP, AND THE MISSILE
TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME -- AND SPECIALIZED U.N.
AGENCIES. HERE I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE UNSCOM'S
PRODUCTIVE EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE THE IRAQI WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION PROGRAM AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC
ENERGY AGENCY'S CONTINUING GOOD WORK.
BUT AS THE U.N. ORGANIZATIONS ADAPT TO STOP
PROLIFERATION, so TOO MUST EVERY MEMBER STATE CHANGE
ITS STRUCTURES TO ADVANCE OUR NON-PROLIFERATION GOALS.
IN THAT SPIRIT, I WANT TO ANNOUNCE MY INTENTION
TODAY TO WORK WITH THE US CONGRESS TO REDIRECT THE US
ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY - OR ACDA
TO
REFOCUS ITS TALENTS ON PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR
NON PROLIFERATION, WEAPONS MONITORING AND DESTRUCTION,
AND GLOBAL DEFENSE CONVERSION. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
THE SECRETARY OF STATE, ACDA SHOULD BE USED NOT ONLY IN
COMPLETING THE TRADITIONAL ARMS CONTROL AGENDA, BUT
JUST AS IMPORTANTLY IN PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
ON OUR NEW SECURITY AGENDA.
- 18 -
EVEN AS WE WORK TO PREVENT PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS
OF MASS DESTRUCTION, WE MUST BE REALISTIC AND GUARD
OURSELVES AGAINST PROLIFERATION THAT HAS ALREADY TAKEN
PLACE. THEREFORE, WE ARE WORKING TOWARD A COOPERATIVE
SYSTEM FOR DEFENSE AGAINST LIMITED BALLISTIC MISSILE
ATTACKS. WE FULLY INTEND TO HAVE OTHER NATIONS
PARTICIPATE IN THIS GLOBAL PROTECTION SYSTEM.
WHILE EXPANDED PEACEKEEPING CAPABILITIES AND
IMPROVED NONPROLIFERATION EFFORTS WILL BE CRITICAL FOR
BUILDING AN ENDURING PEACE, SHARED ECONOMIC GROWTH IS
THE LONG-TERM FOUNDATION FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE WELL
INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
- 19 -
THAT'S WHY I STATED YESTERDAY -- DURING A MOMENT OF
INTERNATIONAL UNCERTAINTY -- THAT THE UNITED STATES
WOULD BE STRONGLY ENGAGED WITH ITS GLOBAL PARTNERS IN
BUILDING A GLOBAL ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, AND TRADING
STRUCTURE FOR THIS NEW ERA. AT THE SAME TIME, I URGED
THAT OUR GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITIES LEAD US TO EXAMINE
WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE G-7 COORDINATION PROCESS. I
AFFIRMED AMERICA'S SUPPORT FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
THAT OPENS MARKETS AND ENHANCES EUROPE'S CAPABILITIES
TO BE OUR PARTNER IN THE GREAT CHALLENGES WE FACE IN
THIS NEW ERA. WHILE THE EXACT FORM OF INTEGRATION IS,
OF COURSE, FOR EUROPEANS TO DETERMINE, WE WILL STAND BY
THEM.
- 20 -
ECONOMIC GROWTH IS NOT A ZERO-SUM PROCESS. ALL OF
US WILL BENEFIT FROM THE EXPANDED TRADE AND INVESTMENT
THAT COMES FROM A VIBRANT, GROWING WORLD ECONOMY. TO
ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS OF THIS GROWTH ARE SUSTAINED
AND SHARED BY ALL, FAIR AND OPEN COMPETITION SHOULD BE
THE FUEL FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC ENGINE. THAT'S WHY
THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO COMPLETE THE URUGUAY ROUND
OF THE GATT NEGOTIATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TO
CREATE A NETWORK OF FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS, BEGINNING
WITH THE NORTH AMERICA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE
A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO FOSTER AND SUPPORT THE FREE
MARKET REFORMS NECESSARY TO BUILD GROWING ECONOMIES AND
VIBRANT DEMOCRACIES IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD AND THE NEW
DEMOCRATIC STATES. THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY PROMOTING
THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BUILD THESE NEW ECONOMIES, NOT BY
FOSTERING DEPENDENCY WITH TRADITIONAL GOVERNMENT-TO-
GOVERNMENT FOREIGN AID.
- 21 -
SINCE WORLD WAR II, FOREIGN ASSISTANCE OFTEN SERVED
AS A WEAPON IN THE COLD WAR. OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL STILL
USE CRITICAL FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FUNDS TO MEET
LEGITIMATE SECURITY NEEDS. AND AS OUR HUMANITARIAN
OPERATIONS IN SOMALIA, NORTHERN IRAQ, BOSNIA, AND THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION TESTIFY, WE WILL CONTINUE OUR
ROBUST HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE EFFORTS TO HELP THOSE
SUFFERING FROM MAN-MADE AND NATURAL DISASTERS.
BUT FOREIGN "AID" AS WE HAVE KNOWN IT NEEDS TO BE
TRANSFORMED. THE NOTION OF A "HAND-OUT" TO LESS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES NEEDS TO GIVE WAY TO COOPERATION
IN MUTUALLY PRODUCTIVE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS.
WE KNOW THAT THE MORE A NATION RELIES ON THE
PRIVATE SECTOR AND FREE MARKETS, THE HIGHER ITS RATE OF
GROWTH. THE MORE OPEN TO TRADE, THE HIGHER ITS RATE OF
GROWTH. AND THE BETTER A COUNTRY'S INVESTMENT CLIMATE,
ONCE AGAIN, THE HIGHER ITS RATE OF GROWTH.
- 22 -
TO MOVE FROM AID DEPENDENCY TO ECONOMIC
PARTNERSHIP, WE PROPOSE TO ALTER FUNDAMENTALLY THE
FOCUS OF US FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO BUILDING
STRONG, INDEPENDENT ECONOMIES THAT CAN BECOME
CONTRIBUTORS TO A HEALTHY, GROWING GLOBAL ECONOMY.
THAT MEANS OUR NEW EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON BUILDING
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIPS AMONG OUR PRIVATE SECTORS THAT
WILL PROMOTE PROSPERITY AT HOME AND ABROAD.
WORKING WITH OUR CONGRESS, I WILL PROPOSE A TOP-
TO-BOTTOM OVERHAUL OF OUR INSTITUTIONS THAT PLAN AND
ADMINISTER FOREIGN ASSISTANCE -- DRASTICALLY REDUCING
THE BUREAUCRACY THAT HAS BUILT UP AROUND GOVERNMENT-
BASED PROGRAMS, STREAMLINING OUR DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND
STRENGTHENING SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
AND ECONOMIC REFORM. THE AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT -- ANOTHER INSTITUTION BORN DURING THE COLD
WAR -- NEEDS TO BE FUNDAMENTALLY AND RADICALLY
OVERHAULED. PROMOTING ECONOMIC SECURITY, OPPORTUNITY,
AND COMPETITIVENESS WILL BECOME A PRIMARY MISSION OF
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
- 23 -
OUR ASSISTANCE EFFORTS SHOULD NOT BE CHARITY. ON
THE CONTRARY, THEY SHOULD PROMOTE MUTUAL PROSPERITY.
THEREFORE, USING EXISTING FOREIGN AFFAIRS RESOURCES, I
WILL PROPOSE CREATING A $1 BILLION "GROWTH FUND." THE
FUND WILL PROVIDE GRANTS AND CREDITS TO SUPPORT US
BUSINESSES IN PROVIDING EXPERTISE, GOODS, AND SERVICES
DESPERATELY NEEDED IN COUNTRIES UNDERTAKING ECONOMIC
RESTRUCTURING. I WILL ALSO SUPPORT SIGNIFICANTLY
INCREASING THE PROGRAMS OF THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK TO
ENSURE THAT US PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY PROMOTE
INVESTMENT IN WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
THE UNITED STATES WILL WORK WITH ITS GLOBAL
ECONOMIC PARTNERS, ESPECIALLY THE G-7 NATIONS, TO
ENHANCE GLOBAL GROWTH AT THIS KEY POINT IN WORLD
HISTORY AS WE END ONE ERA AND BEGIN ANOTHER. NONE OF
US CAN AFFORD INSULAR POLICIES. EACH OF US MUST
CONTRIBUTE, THROUGH GREATER COORDINATED ACTION, TO
BUILD A STRONGER WORLD ECONOMY.
- 24 -
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I REALIZE WHAT I HAVE
OUTLINED TODAY IS AN AMBITIOUS AGENDA -- BUT WE LIVE IN
REMARKABLE TIMES: TIMES WHEN EMPIRES COLLAPSE, //
IDEOLOGIES DISSOLVE, // AND WALLS CRUMBLE -- TIMES WHEN
CHANGE CAN COME so FAST THAT WE SOMETIMES FORGET HOW
FAR AND FAST WE'VE PROGRESSED IN ACHIEVING OUR HOPES
FOR A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRATIC NATIONS.
IN THE FACE OF TODAY'S CHANGES -- WITH THE LOSS OF
SO MUCH THAT WAS FAMILIAR AND PREDICTABLE -- THERE IS
NOW A GREAT TEMPTATION FOR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO TURN
INWARD AND TO BUILD WALLS AROUND THEMSELVES: WALLS
AGAINST TRADE, WALLS AGAINST PEOPLE, WALLS AGAINST
IDEAS AND INVESTMENT, WALLS AGAINST ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT APPEARS NEW AND DIFFERENT.
AS THE BERLIN WALL FELL, THESE WALLS, Too, MUST
FALL.
- 25 -
THEY MUST FALL BECAUSE WE CANNOT SEPARATE OUR FATE
FROM THAT OF OTHERS - -- OUR PEACE IS so INTERCONNECTED,
OUR SECURITY so INTERTWINED, OUR PROSPERITY so
INTERDEPENDENT THAT TO TURN INWARD AND RETREAT FROM THE
WORLD IS TO INVITE DISASTER AND DEFEAT.
AT THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW CENTURY, WE CAN TRULY
SAY: A MORE PEACEFUL, MORE SECURE, MORE PROSPEROUS
FUTURE BECKONS TO US.
FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN --
FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE WHO PERISHED DURING THE COLD WAR
-- FOR THE SAKE OF EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD WHO KEPT
FREEDOM'S FLAME ALIVE EVEN DURING THE DARKEST NOON --
LET US PLEDGE OURSELVES TO MAKE THAT FUTURE REAL.
LET US PLEDGE OURSELVES TO FULFILL THE PROMISE OF A
TRULY UNITED NATIONS. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.
# # #
"THE CHALLENGES OF OUR AGE:
PEACEKEEPING, PROLIFERATION, AND PROSPERITY"
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SEPTEMBER 21, 1992
MR. PRESIDENT, MR. SECRETARY-GENERAL, DISTINGUISHED
GUESTS:
FORTY SEVEN YEARS AGO, I WAS A YOUNG MAN OF TWENTY
ONE. LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS OF MY GENERATION, I HAD
GONE OFF TO WAR TO HELP KEEP FREEDOM ALIVE. BUT FORTY
SEVEN YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, THE WAR WAS FINALLY OVER,
AND I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO PEACE AND THE CHANCE TO
BEGIN MY LIFE IN EARNEST.
1945 MARKED A MOMENT OF PROMISE NOT JUST FOR ME BUT
FOR ALL MANKIND. A GREAT STRUGGLE AGAINST DICTATORSHIP
HAD BEEN FOUGHT AND WON. ACROSS THE GLOBE, WE ALL
LOOKED FORWARD TO A FUTURE FREE OF WAR, A WORLD WHERE
WE MIGHT RAISE OUR CHILDREN IN PEACE AND FREEDOM. THIS
INSTITUTION -- THE UNITED NATIONS -- BORN AMIDST THE
ASHES OF WAR, EMBODIED THOSE HOPES AND DREAMS LIKE NO
OTHER.
- 2 -
BUT THE HOPES AND DREAMS OF 1945 REMAINED
UNFULFILLED. COMMUNIST IMPERIALISM DIVIDED THE WORLD
IN TWO. OUR HOPES FOR PEACE AND OUR DREAMS OF FREEDOM
WERE FROZEN IN THE GRIP OF COLD WAR. INSTEAD OF
FINDING COMMON GROUND, WE FOUND OURSELVES AT GROUND
ZERO. INSTEAD OF LIVING ON CHURCHILL'S "BROAD, SUNLIT
UPLANDS", MILLIONS FOUND THAT THERE WAS -- AS ARTHUR
KOESTLER SO CHILLINGLY WROTE - DARKNESS AT NOON.
INSTEAD OF UNITING THE NATIONS, THIS BODY BECAME A
FORUM FOR DISTRUST AND DIVISION AMONG NATIONS. IN A
CRUEL IRONY, THE UNITED NATIONS -- CREATED TO FREE THE
WORLD OF CONFLICT - -- BECAME ITSELF CONFLICT'S CAPTIVE.
11 I, Too, LIVED THROUGH THOSE DISPUTES. I SAT WHERE
YOU SAT, SERVED IN THIS ASSEMBLY - AND I SAW IN MY
TIME THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE COLD WAR'S HOT WORDS ON
THE HIGHER MISSIONS OF THE U.N.
- 3 -
NOW, FORTY SEVEN YEARS LATER, WE STAND AT THE END
OF ANOTHER WAR -- THE COLD WAR -- AND OUR HOPES AND
DREAMS HAVE AWAKENED AGAIN. RIVEN BY ITS OWN INTERNAL
CONTRADICTIONS AND BANISHED BY THE PEOPLES' UNDYING
THIRST FOR FREEDOM, IMPERIAL COMMUNISM HAS COLLAPSED IN
ITS BIRTHPLACE. TODAY, RUSSIA HAS AWAKENED:
DEMOCRATIC, INDEPENDENT, AND FREE. THE BALTIC STATES
ARE FREE. AND so, Too, ARE UKRAINE, ARMENIA, BELARUS,
KAZAKHSTAN, AND THE OTHER NEW INDEPENDENT STATES,
JOINING THE NATIONS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE IN
FREEDOM.
- 4 -
THE FEAR OF NUCLEAR ARMAGEDDON BETWEEN THE
SUPERPOWERS HAS VANISHED. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE DONE
OUR PART TO ENSURE THAT OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE
TO PRACTICE HIDING UNDER THEIR DESKS FOR FEAR OF
NUCLEAR ATTACK -- AS THE GENERATION BEFORE THEM. I AM
PROUD, ALSO, TO SALUTE THE COURAGEOUS LEADERS WITH
NUCLEAR RESPONSIBILITIES -- PRESIDENTS YELTSIN,
KRAVCHUK, NAZARBAYEV, AND SHUSHKEVICH -- WHO JOINED ME
IN ENDING THE SUPERPOWER STANDOFF THAT RISKED NUCLEAR
NIGHTMARE. THIS IS THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SEAT
YOU AS TRULY INDEPENDENT AND FREE NATIONS. TO YOU AND
TO THE LEADERS OF THE OTHER NEW INDEPENDENT STATES, I
SAY: WELCOME HOME. WE ARE NOW TRULY UNITED NATIONS.
WITH THE COLD WAR'S END, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A UNIQUE
OPPORTUNITY: TO GO BEYOND ARTIFICIAL DIVISIONS OF A
FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD WORLD, TO FORGE INSTEAD A
GENUINE GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF FREE AND SOVEREIGN NATIONS
-- A COMMUNITY BUILT ON RESPECT FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF
PEACEFUL SETTLEMENTS OF DISPUTES, FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN
RIGHTS, AND THE TWIN PILLARS OF FREEDOM: DEMOCRACY AND
FREE MARKETS.
- 5 -
ALREADY, THE UNITED NATIONS -- ESPECIALLY THE
SECURITY COUNCIL -- HAS DONE MUCH TO FULFILL ITS
ORIGINAL MISSION AND TO BUILD THIS GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
U.N. LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN CRITICAL IN RESOLVING
CONFLICTS AND BROKERING PEACE THE WORLD OVER.
BUT SECURING DEMOCRACY AND SECURING THE PEACE IN
THE CENTURY AHEAD WILL BE NO SIMPLE TASK. IMPERIAL
COMMUNISM MAY HAVE BEEN VANQUISHED, BUT THAT DOES NOT
END THE CHALLENGES OF OUR AGE -- -- CHALLENGES THAT MUST
BE OVERCOME IF WE ARE FINALLY TO END THE DIVISIONS
BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, NORTH AND SOUTH THAT FUEL STRIFE
AND STRAIN AND CONFLICT AND WAR.
AS WE SUPPORT THE HISTORIC GROWTH OF DEMOCRACY
AROUND THE WORLD, I BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS -
- AND THE UNITED NATIONS -- FACE THREE CRITICAL,
INTERRELATED CHALLENGES AS WE ENTER THE TWENTY-FIRST
CENTURY.
FIRST, WE FACE THE POLITICAL CHALLENGE OF KEEPING
TODAY'S PEACE AND PREVENTING TOMORROW'S WARS. AS WE
SEE DAILY IN BOSNIA, SOMALIA, CAMBODIA -- EVERYWHERE
CONFLICT CLAIMS INNOCENT LIVES -- THE NEED FOR ENHANCED
PEACEKEEPING CAPABILITIES HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER, THE
CONFLICTS WE MUST DEAL WITH MORE INTRACTABLE, THE COSTS
OF CONFLICT HIGHER.
SECOND, WE FACE THE STRATEGIC CHALLENGE OF THE
PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- TRULY
THE FASTEST GROWING SECURITY CHALLENGE TO INTERNATIONAL
PEACE AND ORDER.
THIRD, WE FACE THE COMMON ECONOMIC CHALLENGE OF
PROMOTING PROSPERITY FOR ALL, OF STRENGTHENING AN OPEN,
GROWTH-ORIENTED FREE-MARKET INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC
ORDER WHILE SAFEGUARDING THE ENVIRONMENT.
MEETING THESE CHALLENGES WILL REQUIRE US TO
STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE ENGAGEMENT. IT WILL REQUIRE
US TO TRANSFORM OUR COLLECTIVE INSTITUTIONS.
- 7 -
ABOVE ALL, IT WILL REQUIRE THAT EACH OF US LOOK
SERIOUSLY AT OUR OWN GOVERNMENTS AND HOW WE CONDUCT OUR
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. WE, Too, MUST CHANGE OUR
INSTITUTIONS AND OUR PRACTICES IF WE ARE TO MAKE A NEW
WORLD OF THE PROMISE OF TODAY -- IF WE ARE TO SECURE A
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PEACE.
WITH YOU TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THESE THREE
CHALLENGES -- PEACEKEEPING, PROLIFERATION, AND
PROSPERITY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY
TO BEGIN TO SKETCH HOW I BELIEVE THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MEET THESE THREE
CHALLENGES AND HOW THE UNITED STATES IS CHANGING ITS
INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES TO CATALYZE THIS EFFORT.
LET ME BEGIN WITH PEACEKEEPING.
- 8 -
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED
HISTORY OF PEACEKEEPING AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF. FROM
CYPRUS AND LEBANON TO CAMBODIA AND CROATIA, THE BLUE
BERET HAS BECOME A SYMBOL OF HOPE AMID HOSTILITY. THE
U.N. HAS LONG PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN PREVENTING
CONFLICTS FROM TURNING INTO WARS, AND STRENGTHENED
PEACEKEEPING CAPABILITIES CAN HELP BUTTRESS THESE
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS.
BUT AS MUCH AS THE U.N. HAS DONE, IT CAN DO MUCH
MORE.
PEACEKEEPERS ARE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT WHILE
DEMANDS FOR THEIR SERVICES INCREASE BY THE DAY. THE
NEED FOR MONITORING AND PREVENTIVE PEACEKEEPING --
PUTTING PEOPLE ON THE GROUND BEFORE THE FIGHTING STARTS
-- MAY BECOME ESPECIALLY CRITICAL IN VOLATILE REGIONS.
- 9 -
THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE BECAUSE OF THE RAPID
AND TURBULENT CHANGE THAT CONTINUES TO SHAKE EASTERN
EUROPE AND EURASIA. ACROSS THE LANDS THAT ONCE WERE
IMPRISONED BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN, PEOPLES ARE
REASSERTING THEIR HISTORICAL IDENTITIES THAT WERE
FROZEN IN COMMUNISM'S CATACOMB.
WHERE THIS IS TAKING PLACE IN A DEMOCRATIC MANNER
WITH TOLERANCE AND CIVILITY AND RESPECT FOR FUNDAMENTAL
HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, THIS NEW, DEMOCRATIC
NATIONALISM IS ALL TO THE GOOD. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE
NEED ONLY LOOK TO THE BLOODY BATTLES RAGING PLACES SUCH
AS THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA TO SEE THE DANGERS OF ETHNIC
VIOLENCE.
- 10 -
THIS IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE "DEMOCRATIC
PEACE" WE HOPE TO BUILD WITH EASTERN EUROPE, RUSSIA,
AND EURASIA, EVEN MORE SO THAN ECONOMIC DEPRIVATION.
WE FULLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF NATO, C.S.C.E., W.E.U.,
THE C.I.S., AND OTHER COMPETENT REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
TO DEVELOP PEACEKEEPING CAPABILITIES. WE ARE
CONVINCED, HOWEVER, THAT ENHANCED U.N. CAPABILITIES ARE
A NECESSARY COMPLEMENT TO THESE REGIONAL EFFORTS NOT
JUST IN EUROPE AND EURASIA BUT ACROSS THE GLOBE.
I WELCOME THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S CALL FOR A NEW
AGENDA TO STRENGTHEN THE U.N.'S ABILITY TO PREVENT,
CONTAIN, AND RESOLVE CONFLICT ACROSS THE GLOBE. TODAY,
I CALL UPON ALL MEMBER STATES TO JOIN ME IN TAKING BOLD
STEPS TO ADVANCE THAT AGENDA.
I THEREFORE WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH MY COLLEAGUES
THE MERITS OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS
SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S
PROPOSALS AND TO DEVELOP CONCRETE RESPONSES IN FIVE KEY
AREAS:
- 11 -
ONE, ROBUST PEACEKEEPING REQUIRES MEN AND EQUIPMENT
ONLY MEMBER STATES CAN PROVIDE. NATIONS SHOULD DEVELOP
AND TRAIN MILITARY UNITS FOR POSSIBLE PEACEKEEPING
OPERATIONS AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF. THESE FORCES MUST
BE AVAILABLE ON SHORT NOTICE AT THE REQUEST OF THE
SECURITY COUNCIL AND WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE
GOVERNMENTS PROVIDING THEM.
TWO, IF MULTINATIONAL UNITS ARE TO WORK TOGETHER,
THEY MUST TRAIN TOGETHER. MANY NATIONS -- FOR EXAMPLE,
FIJI, NORWAY, CANADA, AND FINLAND -- HAVE A LONG
HISTORY OF PEACEKEEPING, AND WE CAN ALL TAP INTO THAT
EXPERIENCE AS WE TRAIN FOR EXPANDED OPERATIONS.
EFFECTIVE MULTINATIONAL ACTION WILL ALSO REQUIRE
COORDINATED COMMAND-AND-CONTROL AND INTEROPERABILITY OF
BOTH EQUIPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS. MULTINATIONAL
PLANNING, TRAINING, AND FIELD EXERCISES WILL BE NEEDED.
THESE EFFORTS SHOULD LINK UP WITH REGIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS.
- 12 -
THREE, WE ALSO NEED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LOGISTICAL
SUPPORT FOR PEACEKEEPING AND HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS.
MEMBER STATES SHOULD DESIGNATE STOCKPILES OF RESOURCES
NECESSARY TO MEET HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING
FAMINES, FLOODS, OR CIVIL DISTURBANCES. THIS WILL SAVE
VALUABLE TIME IN A CRISIS.
FOUR, WE WILL NEED TO DEVELOP PLANNING, CRISIS
MANAGEMENT, AND INTELLIGENCE CAPABILITIES FOR
PEACEKEEPING AND HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS.
FIVE, WE MUST ENSURE ADEQUATE, EQUITABLE FINANCING
FOR U.N. AND ASSOCIATED PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS.
AS I SAID, WE MUST CHANGE OUR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
IF WE ARE TO CHANGE OUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, so LET
ME ASSURE YOU: THE UNITED STATES IS READY TO DO ITS
PART TO STRENGTHEN WORLD PEACE BY STRENGTHENING
INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING.
- 13 -
FOR DECADES, THE AMERICAN MILITARY HAS SERVED AS A
STABILIZING PRESENCE AROUND THE GLOBE. I WANT TO DRAW
ON OUR EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN WINNING WARS AND KEEPING
THE PEACE TO SUPPORT U.N. PEACEKEEPING.
I HAVE DIRECTED THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO
PLACE A NEW EMPHASIS ON PEACEKEEPING. BECAUSE OF
PEACEKEEPING'S GROWING IMPORTANCE AS A MISSION FOR THE
US MILITARY, WE WILL EMPHASIZE TRAINING OF COMBAT,
ENGINEERING, AND LOGISTICAL UNITS FOR THE FULL RANGE OF
PEACEKEEPING AND HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES. WE WILL WORK
WITH THE UNITED NATIONS TO BEST EMPLOY OUR CONSIDERABLE
LIFT, LOGISTICS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND INTELLIGENCE
CAPABILITIES TO SUPPORT PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS. AND
WE WILL OFFER OUR CAPABILITIES FOR JOINT SIMULATIONS
AND EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO UNDERTAKE
JOINT PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS. THERE IS ROOM FOR ALL
COUNTRIES LARGE AND SMALL, AND I HOPE ALL WILL PLAY A
PART.
- 14 -
MEMBER STATES, AS ALWAYS, MUST RETAIN THE FINAL
DECISION ON THE USE OF THEIR TROOPS. BUT WE MUST
DEVELOP OUR ABILITY TO COORDINATE PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS
SO THAT WE CAN MOBILIZE QUICKLY WHEN A THREAT TO PEACE
ARISES OR WHEN PEOPLE IN NEED LOOK TO THE WORLD FOR
HELP.
I HAVE FURTHER DIRECTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
PERMANENT PEACEKEEPING CURRICULUM IN US MILITARY
SCHOOLS.
TRAINING, PLAINLY, IS KEY. THE UNITED STATES IS
PREPARED TO MAKE AVAILABLE OUR BASES AND FACILITIES FOR
MULTINATIONAL TRAINING AND FIELD EXERCISES. ONE SUCH
BASE NEARBY WITH FACILITIES IS FORT DIX. AMERICA USED
THESE BASES TO WIN THE COLD WAR; TODAY, WITH THAT WAR
OVER, THEY CAN HELP BUILD A LASTING PEACE.
- 15 -
THE UNITED STATES IS WILLING TO PROVIDE OUR
MILITARY EXPERTISE TO THE UNITED NATIONS TO HELP THE
U.N. STRENGTHEN ITS PLANNING AND OPERATIONS FOR
PEACEKEEPING. WE WILL ALSO BROADEN AMERICAN SUPPORT
FOR MONITORING, VERIFICATION, RECONNAISSANCE, AND OTHER
REQUIREMENTS OF U.N. PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE OPERATIONS.
FINALLY, THE UNITED STATES WILL REVIEW HOW WE FUND
PEACEKEEPING AND EXPLORE NEW WAYS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE
AMERICAN FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR U.N. PEACEKEEPING AND
HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES. I DO BELIEVE WE MUST THINK
DIFFERENTLY ABOUT HOW WE ENSURE -- AND PAY FOR -- OUR
SECURITY IN THIS NEW ERA.
WHILE THE END OF THE COLD WAR MAY HAVE ENDED THE
SUPERPOWER NUCLEAR ARMS COMPETITION, REGIONAL
COMPETITIONS IN WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION CONTINUE.
OVER TWENTY COUNTRIES HAVE OR ARE DEVELOPING NUCLEAR,
CHEMICAL, OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AND THE MEANS TO
DELIVER THEM.
- 16 -
AT A TIME WHEN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS FORMER
ADVERSARIES ARE ENGAGED IN DEEP, HISTORIC CUTS IN OUR
NUCLEAR ARSENALS, OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WILL
NEVER FORGIVE US IF WE ALLOW NEW AND UNSTABLE NUCLEAR
STAND-OFFS TO DEVELOP AROUND THE WORLD.
WE BELIEVE THE SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD BECOME A KEY
FORUM FOR NONPROLIFERATION ENFORCEMENT. THE SECURITY
COUNCIL SHOULD MAKE CLEAR ITS INTENTION TO STEM
PROLIFERATION AND SANCTION PROLIFERATORS. REAFFIRMING
ASSURANCES MADE AT THE TIME THE NUCLEAR
NONPROLIFERATION TREATY WAS NEGOTIATED, I PROPOSE THAT
THE SECURITY COUNCIL REASSURE NON-NUCLEAR STATES THAT
IT WILL SEEK IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER, TO ANY NON-NUCLEAR WEAPON
STATE PARTY TO THE N.P.T. THAT IS A VICTIM OF AN ACT OF
AGGRESSION OR AN OBJECT OF THREAT OF AGGRESSION
INVOLVING NUCLEAR WEAPONS. I ALSO CALL FOR THE
INDEFINITE RENEWAL OF THE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION
TREATY WHEN IT IS REVIEWED IN 1995.
- 17 -
I BELIEVE WE MUST EXPLORE WAYS WE CAN STRENGTHEN
LINKAGES BETWEEN THE SUPPLIERS CLUBS' -- THE NUCLEAR
SUPPLIERS' GROUP, THE AUSTRALIA GROUP, AND THE MISSILE
TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME -- AND SPECIALIZED U.N.
AGENCIES. HERE I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE UNSCOM'S
PRODUCTIVE EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE THE IRAQI WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION PROGRAM AND THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC
ENERGY AGENCY'S CONTINUING GOOD WORK.
BUT AS THE U.N. ORGANIZATIONS ADAPT TO STOP
PROLIFERATION, SO TOO MUST EVERY MEMBER STATE CHANGE
ITS STRUCTURES TO ADVANCE OUR NON-PROLIFERATION GOALS.
IN THAT SPIRIT, I WANT TO ANNOUNCE MY INTENTION
TODAY TO WORK WITH THE US CONGRESS TO REDIRECT THE US
ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY -- OR ACDA -- TO
REFOCUS ITS TALENTS ON PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR
NON-PROLIFERATION, WEAPONS MONITORING AND DESTRUCTION,
AND GLOBAL DEFENSE CONVERSION. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
THE SECRETARY OF STATE, ACDA SHOULD BE USED NOT ONLY IN
COMPLETING THE TRADITIONAL ARMS CONTROL AGENDA, BUT
JUST AS IMPORTANTLY IN PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
ON OUR NEW SECURITY AGENDA.
- 18 -
EVEN AS WE WORK TO PREVENT PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS
OF MASS DESTRUCTION, WE MUST BE REALISTIC AND GUARD
OURSELVES AGAINST PROLIFERATION THAT HAS ALREADY TAKEN
PLACE. THEREFORE, WE ARE WORKING TOWARD A COOPERATIVE
SYSTEM FOR DEFENSE AGAINST LIMITED BALLISTIC MISSILE
ATTACKS. WE FULLY INTEND TO HAVE OTHER NATIONS
PARTICIPATE IN THIS GLOBAL PROTECTION SYSTEM.
WHILE EXPANDED PEACEKEEPING CAPABILITIES AND
IMPROVED NONPROLIFERATION EFFORTS WILL BE CRITICAL FOR
BUILDING AN ENDURING PEACE, SHARED ECONOMIC GROWTH IS
THE LONG-TERM FOUNDATION FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE WELL
INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
- 19 -
THAT'S WHY I STATED YESTERDAY -- DURING A MOMENT OF
INTERNATIONAL UNCERTAINTY -- THAT THE UNITED STATES
WOULD BE STRONGLY ENGAGED WITH ITS GLOBAL PARTNERS IN
BUILDING A GLOBAL ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, AND TRADING
STRUCTURE FOR THIS NEW ERA. AT THE SAME TIME, I URGED
THAT OUR GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITIES LEAD US TO EXAMINE
WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE G-7 COORDINATION PROCESS. I
AFFIRMED AMERICA'S SUPPORT FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
THAT OPENS MARKETS AND ENHANCES EUROPE'S CAPABILITIES
TO BE OUR PARTNER IN THE GREAT CHALLENGES WE FACE IN
THIS NEW ERA. WHILE THE EXACT FORM OF INTEGRATION IS,
OF COURSE, FOR EUROPEANS TO DETERMINE, WE WILL STAND BY
THEM.
- 20 -
ECONOMIC GROWTH IS NOT A ZERO-SUM PROCESS. ALL OF
US WILL BENEFIT FROM THE EXPANDED TRADE AND INVESTMENT
THAT COMES FROM A VIBRANT, GROWING WORLD ECONOMY. TO
ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS OF THIS GROWTH ARE SUSTAINED
AND SHARED BY ALL, FAIR AND OPEN COMPETITION SHOULD BE
THE FUEL FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC ENGINE. THAT'S WHY
THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO COMPLETE THE URUGUAY ROUND
OF THE GATT NEGOTIATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND TO
CREATE A NETWORK OF FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS, BEGINNING
WITH THE NORTH AMERICA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE
A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO FOSTER AND SUPPORT THE FREE
MARKET REFORMS NECESSARY TO BUILD GROWING ECONOMIES AND
VIBRANT DEMOCRACIES IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD AND THE NEW
DEMOCRATIC STATES. THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY PROMOTING
THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BUILD THESE NEW ECONOMIES, NOT BY
FOSTERING DEPENDENCY WITH TRADITIONAL GOVERNMENT-TO-
GOVERNMENT FOREIGN AID.
- 21 -
SINCE WORLD WAR II, FOREIGN ASSISTANCE OFTEN SERVED
AS A WEAPON IN THE COLD WAR. OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL STILL
USE CRITICAL FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FUNDS TO MEET
LEGITIMATE SECURITY NEEDS. AND AS OUR HUMANITARIAN
OPERATIONS IN SOMALIA, NORTHERN IRAQ, BOSNIA, AND THE
FORMER SOVIET UNION TESTIFY, WE WILL CONTINUE OUR
ROBUST HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE EFFORTS TO HELP THOSE
SUFFERING FROM MAN-MADE AND NATURAL DISASTERS.
BUT FOREIGN "AID" AS WE HAVE KNOWN IT NEEDS TO BE
TRANSFORMED. THE NOTION OF A "HAND-OUT" TO LESS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES NEEDS TO GIVE WAY TO COOPERATION
IN MUTUALLY PRODUCTIVE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS.
WE KNOW THAT THE MORE A NATION RELIES ON THE
PRIVATE SECTOR AND FREE MARKETS, THE HIGHER ITS RATE OF
GROWTH. THE MORE OPEN TO TRADE, THE HIGHER ITS RATE OF
GROWTH. AND THE BETTER A COUNTRY'S INVESTMENT CLIMATE,
ONCE AGAIN, THE HIGHER ITS RATE OF GROWTH.
- 22 -
TO MOVE FROM AID DEPENDENCY TO ECONOMIC
PARTNERSHIP, WE PROPOSE TO ALTER FUNDAMENTALLY THE
FOCUS OF US FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO BUILDING
STRONG, INDEPENDENT ECONOMIES THAT CAN BECOME
CONTRIBUTORS TO A HEALTHY, GROWING GLOBAL ECONOMY.
THAT MEANS OUR NEW EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON BUILDING
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIPS AMONG OUR PRIVATE SECTORS THAT
WILL PROMOTE PROSPERITY AT HOME AND ABROAD.
WORKING WITH OUR CONGRESS, I WILL PROPOSE A TOP-
TO-BOTTOM OVERHAUL OF OUR INSTITUTIONS THAT PLAN AND
ADMINISTER FOREIGN ASSISTANCE -- DRASTICALLY REDUCING
THE BUREAUCRACY THAT HAS BUILT UP AROUND GOVERNMENT-
BASED PROGRAMS, STREAMLINING OUR DELIVERY SYSTEMS, AND
STRENGTHENING SUPPORT FOR PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
AND ECONOMIC REFORM. THE AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT -- ANOTHER INSTITUTION BORN DURING THE COLD
WAR -- NEEDS TO BE FUNDAMENTALLY AND RADICALLY
OVERHAULED. PROMOTING ECONOMIC SECURITY, OPPORTUNITY,
AND COMPETITIVENESS WILL BECOME A PRIMARY MISSION OF
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
- 23 -
OUR ASSISTANCE EFFORTS SHOULD NOT BE CHARITY. ON
THE CONTRARY, THEY SHOULD PROMOTE MUTUAL PROSPERITY.
THEREFORE, USING EXISTING FOREIGN AFFAIRS RESOURCES, I
WILL PROPOSE CREATING A $1 BILLION "GROWTH FUND." THE
FUND WILL PROVIDE GRANTS AND CREDITS TO SUPPORT US
BUSINESSES IN PROVIDING EXPERTISE, GOODS, AND SERVICES
DESPERATELY NEEDED IN COUNTRIES UNDERTAKING ECONOMIC
RESTRUCTURING. I WILL ALSO SUPPORT SIGNIFICANTLY
INCREASING THE PROGRAMS OF THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK TO
ENSURE THAT US PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY PROMOTE
INVESTMENT IN WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
THE UNITED STATES WILL WORK WITH ITS GLOBAL
ECONOMIC PARTNERS, ESPECIALLY THE G-7 NATIONS, TO
ENHANCE GLOBAL GROWTH AT THIS KEY POINT IN WORLD
HISTORY AS WE END ONE ERA AND BEGIN ANOTHER. NONE OF
US CAN AFFORD INSULAR POLICIES. EACH OF US MUST
CONTRIBUTE, THROUGH GREATER COORDINATED ACTION, TO
BUILD A STRONGER WORLD ECONOMY.
- 24 -
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I REALIZE WHAT I HAVE
OUTLINED TODAY IS AN AMBITIOUS AGENDA -- BUT WE LIVE IN
REMARKABLE TIMES: TIMES WHEN EMPIRES COLLAPSE, 11
IDEOLOGIES DISSOLVE, 11 AND WALLS CRUMBLE -- TIMES WHEN
CHANGE CAN COME so FAST THAT WE SOMETIMES FORGET HOW
FAR AND FAST WE'VE PROGRESSED IN ACHIEVING OUR HOPES
FOR A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRATIC NATIONS.
IN THE FACE OF TODAY'S CHANGES -- WITH THE LOSS OF
so MUCH THAT WAS FAMILIAR AND PREDICTABLE -- THERE IS
NOW A GREAT TEMPTATION FOR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO TURN
INWARD AND TO BUILD WALLS AROUND THEMSELVES: WALLS
AGAINST TRADE, WALLS AGAINST PEOPLE, WALLS AGAINST
IDEAS AND INVESTMENT, WALLS AGAINST ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT APPEARS NEW AND DIFFERENT.
AS THE BERLIN WALL FELL, THESE WALLS, TOO, MUST
FALL.
- 25 -
THEY MUST FALL BECAUSE WE CANNOT SEPARATE OUR FATE
FROM THAT OF OTHERS - -- OUR PEACE IS SO INTERCONNECTED,
OUR SECURITY SO INTERTWINED, OUR PROSPERITY so
INTERDEPENDENT THAT TO TURN INWARD AND RETREAT FROM THE
WORLD IS TO INVITE DISASTER AND DEFEAT.
AT THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW CENTURY, WE CAN TRULY
SAY: A MORE PEACEFUL, MORE SECURE, MORE PROSPEROUS
FUTURE BECKONS TO US.
FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN - --
FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE WHO PERISHED DURING THE COLD WAR
-- FOR THE SAKE OF EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD WHO KEPT
FREEDOM'S FLAME ALIVE EVEN DURING THE DARKEST NOON --
LET US PLEDGE OURSELVES TO MAKE THAT FUTURE REAL.
LET US PLEDGE OURSELVES TO FULFILL THE PROMISE OF A
TRULY UNITED NATIONS. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.
# # #
Bush, 1992
Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Sept. 21
1697
sful-the suc-
Address to the United Nations
joining the nations of Central and Eastern
round.
General Assembly in New York City
Europe in freedom.
growth of our
September 21, 1992
The fear of nuclear Armageddon between
here in this
the superpowers has vanished. We are proud
our deficits.
Thank you, Mr. President, to you, sir, and
to have done our part to ensure that our
antle internal
Mr. Secretary-General and distinguished
schoolchildren do not have to practice hiding
:ative process
guests. Forty-seven years ago, I was a young
under their desks for fear of nuclear attack
elping people
man of 21, and like thousands of others of
as the generation before them.
capital to in-
my generation, I'd gone off to war to help
I am proud also to salute the courageous
ite to greater
keep freedom alive. But 47 years ago this
leaders with nuclear responsibilities: Presi-
month, the war was finally over, and I was
dent Yeltsin, Kravchuk, Nazarbayev,
e succeeded
looking forward to peace and the chance to
Shushkevich, who join me in ending the su-
S in offering
begin my life in earnest. Nineteen forty-five,
perpower standoff that risked nuclear night-
ople the op-
it marked a moment of promise, not just for
mare. This is the first General Assembly to
omic future.
me but for all of mankind. A great struggle
seat you as truly independent and free na-
nge has left
against dictatorship had been fought and
tions. And to you and the leaders of the other
IS about the
won. Across the globe we all looked forward
global eco-
to a future free of war, a world where we
independent states, I say: Welcome home;
we are now truly United Nations.
*ructure for
might raise our children in peace and free-
eople trans-
dom. And this institution, the United Na-
With the cold war's end, I believe we have
tions, born amidst the ashes of war, em-
a unique opportunity to go beyond artificial
ity for gen-
bodied those hopes and dreams like no other.
divisions of a first, second, and third world
But the hopes and dreams of 1945 re-
to forge instead a genuine global community
eate an ex-
mained unfulfilled. Communist imperialism
of free and sovereign nations; a community
atively and
divided the world in two; our hopes for peace
built on respect for principle, of peaceful set-
everybody
and our dreams of freedom were frozen in
tlements of disputes, fundamental human
the United
the grip of cold war. And instead of finding
rights, and the twin pillars of freedom, de-
:k. We will
a common ground, we found ourselves at
mocracy and free markets.
ratulations
ground zero. Instead of living on Churchill's
Already the United Nations, especially the
e situation
"broad, sunlit uplands," millions found that
Security Council, has done much to fulfill its
coopera-
there was, as Arthur Koestler so chillingly
original mission and to build this global com-
k really is
wrote, "darkness at noon." And instead of
munity. U.N. leadership has been critical in
eople all
uniting the nations, this body became a
resolving conflicts and brokering peace the
'S will stay
forum for distrust and division among na-
entire world over. But securing democracy
partners,
tions. And in a cruel irony, the United Na-
and securing the peace in the century ahead
the solu-
tions, created to free the world of conflict,
will be no simple task. Imperial communism
became itself conflict's captive.
may have been vanquished, but that does not
ing. It is
I too lived through those disputes. I sat
end the challenges of our age, challenges that
vanted to
where you sit, proudly so, served in this As-
must be overcome if we are finally to end
nvite you
sembly. I saw in my time the consequences
the divisions between East and West, North
of the cold war's hot words on the higher
and South that fuel strife and strain and con-
ving line
to a little
missions of the United Nations. And now 47
flict and war.
years later, we stand at the end of another
As we support the historic growth of de-
war, the cold war, and our hopes and dreams
mocracy around the world, I believe the
have awakened again.
community of nations and the United Na-
Driven by its own internal contradictions
tions face three critical, interrelated chal-
and banished by the people's undying thirst
lenges as we enter the 21st century:
in the
for freedom, imperial communism has col-
First, we face the political challenge of
his re-
lapsed in its birthplace. Today, Russia has
keeping today's peace and preventing tomor-
olchaga,
awakened, democratic, independent, and
row's wars. As we see daily in Bosnia and
ce and
free. The Baltic States are free, and so too
Somalia and Cambodia, everywhere conflict
manag-
are Ukraine and Armenia and Belarus and
claims innocent lives, the need for enhanced
Fund.
Kazakhstan and the other independent states
peacekeeping capabilities has never been
1698
Sept. 21 / Administration of George Bush, 1992
Administra
greater, the conflicts we must deal with more
were frozen in communism's catacomb.
Three, W
intractable, the costs of conflict higher.
Where this is taking place in a democratic
logistical SL
Second, we face the strategic challenge of
manner with tolerance and civility and re-
manitarian
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruc-
spect for fundamental human rights and free-
designate st
tion, truly the fastest growing security chal-
doms, this new democratic nationalism is all
meet huma
lenge to international peace and order.
to the good. But unfortunately, we need only
famines, flo
And third, we face the common economic
look to the bloody battles raging in places
save valuabl
challenge of promoting prosperity for all, of
such as the former Yugoslavia to see the dan-
Four, WE
strengthening an open, growth-oriented free
gers of ethnic violence. This is the greatest
crisis mana;
market international economic order while
threat to the democratic peace we hope to
ties for peac
safeguarding the environment.
build with Eastern Europe, with Russia and
ations.
Meeting these challenges will require us
Eurasia, even more so than economic depri-
And five,
to strengthen our collective engagement. It
vation.
table finan
will require us to transform our collective in-
We fully support the efforts of NATO and
peacekeepir
stitutions. And above all, it will require that
CSCE and WEU, the C.I.S. and other com-
As I said,
each of us look seriously at our own govern-
petent regional organizations to develop
stitutions if
ments and how we conduct our international
peacekeeping capabilities. We are convinced
national rela
affairs. We too must change our institutions
that enhanced U.N. capabilities, however,
United Sta
and our practices if we are to make a new
are a necessary complement to these regional
strengthen
world of the promise of today, if we're to
efforts, not just in Europe and Eurasia but
internationa
secure a 21st century peace.
across the globe.
For deca
With you today, I would like to discuss
I welcome the Secretary-General's call for
served as a
these three challenges: peacekeeping, pro-
a new agenda to strengthen the United Na-
globe. I war
liferation, and prosperity. And I'd like to use
tions' ability to prevent, contain, and resolve
ence in win
this opportunity to begin to sketch how I be-
conflict across the globe. And today, I call
to support
lieve the international community can work
upon all members to join me in taking bold
rected the
together to meet these three challenges and
steps to advance that agenda. I, therefore,
fense to pla
how the United States is changing its institu-
will be discussing with my colleagues the
ing. Becaus
tions and policies to catalyze this effort.
merits of a special meeting of the U.N. Secu-
portance as
Let me begin with peacekeeping. The
rity Council to discuss the Secretary-Gen-
military, we
United Nations has a long and distinguished
eral's proposals and to develop concrete re-
bat, engine
history of peacekeeping and humanitarian re-
sponses in five key areas:
full range o
lief. From Cyprus and Lebanon to Cambodia
One, robust peacekeeping requires men
activities.
and Croatia, the blue beret has become a
and equipment that only member states can
We will ,
symbol of hope amid all that hostility, and
provide. Nations should develop and train
best emplo
the U.N. has long played a central role in
military units for possible peacekeeping op-
communica
preventing conflicts from turning into wars.
erations and humanitarian relief. And these
ties to supp
Strengthened peacekeeping capabilities can
forces must be available on short notice at
will offer ou
help buttress these diplomatic efforts.
the request of the Security Council and with
and peaceke
But as much as the United Nations has
the approval, of course, of the governments
@bility to un
done, it can do much more. Peacekeepers
providing them.
ations. The
are stretched to the limit while demands for
Two, if multinational units are to work to-
and small,
their services increase by the day. The need
gether, they must train together. Many na-
Member
for monitoring and preventive peacekeeping,
tions, for example, Fiji, Norway, Canada, and
final decisio
putting people on the ground before the
Finland, have a long history of peacekeeping.
course. But
And we can all tap into that experience as
coordinate
fighting starts, may become especially critical
we train for expanded operations. Effective
can mobiliz
in volatile regions. This is especially the case
because of the rapid and turbulent change
multinational action will also require coordi-
arises or wi
that continues to shake Eastern Europe and
nated command-and-control and interoper-
world for he
Eurasia.
ge Bush, 1992
Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Sept. 21
1699
is catacomb.
Three, we also need to provide adequate
able our bases and facilities for multinational
a democratic
ivility and re-
logistical support for peacekeeping and hu-
training and field exercises. One such base
manitarian operations. Member states should
nearby with facilities is Fort Dix. America
ights and free-
ionalism is all
designate stockpiles of resources necessary to
used these bases to win the cold war, and
meet humanitarian emergencies including
today, with that war over, they can help build
we need only
famines, floods, civil disturbances. This will
a lasting peace.
ging in places
save valuable time in a crisis.
The United States is willing to provide our
0 see the dan-
Four, we will need to develop planning,
military expertise to the United Nations to
S the greatest
crisis management, and intelligence capabili-
help the U.N. strengthen its planning and
e we hope to
ties for peacekeeping and humanitarian oper-
operations for peacekeeping. We will also
th Russia and
ations.
broaden American support for monitoring,
onomic depri-
And five, we must ensure adequate, equi-
verification, reconnaissance, and other re-
table financing for U.N. and associated
quirements of U.N. peacekeeping or human-
of NATO and
d other com-
peacekeeping efforts.
itarian assistance operations.
As I said, we must change our national in-
And finally, the United States will review
to develop
stitutions if we are to change our inter-
how we fund peacekeeping and explore new
are convinced
national relations. So let me assure you: The
ways to ensure adequate American financial
es, however,
United States is ready to do its part to
support for U.N. peacekeeping and U.N. hu-
these regional
strengthen world peace by strengthening
manitarian activities. I do believe that we
I Eurasia but
international peacekeeping.
must think differently about how we ensure
For decades, the American military has
and pay for our security in this new era.
eral's call for
served as a stabilizing presence around the
While the end of the cold war may have
e United Na-
globe. I want to draw on our extensive experi-
ended, the superpower nuclear arms com-
1, and resolve
ence in winning wars and keeping the peace
petition, regional competition, weapons of
today, I call
to support U.N. peacekeeping. I have di-
mass destruction continue. Over 20 countries
n taking bold
rected the United States Secretary of De-
have or are developing nuclear, chemical, or
I, therefore,
fense to place a new emphasis on peacekeep-
biological weapons and the means to deliver
olleagues the
ing. Because of peacekeeping's growing im-
them. At a time when the United States and
.e U.N. Secu-
portance as a mission for the United States
its former adversaries are engaged in deep
cretary-Gen-
military, we will emphasize training of com-
historic cuts in our nuclear arsenals, our chil-
concrete re-
bat, engineering, and logistical units for the
dren and grandchildren will never forgive us
full range of peacekeeping and humanitarian
if we allow new and unstable nuclear
equires men
activities.
standoffs to develop around the world.
er states can
We will work with the United Nations to
We believe the Security Council should
op and train
best employ our considerable lift, logistics,
become a key forum for nonproliferation en-
ekeeping op-
communications, and intelligence capabili-
forcement. The Security Council should
ef. And these
ties to support peacekeeping operations. We
make clear its intention to stem proliferation
ort notice at
will offer our capabilities for joint simulations
and sanction proliferators. Reaffirming assur-
incil and with
and peacekeeping exercises to strengthen our
ances made at the time the Nuclear Non-
governments
ability to undertake joint peacekeeping oper-
proliferation Treaty was negotiated, I pro-
ations. There is room for all countries, large
posed that the Security Council reassure the
e to work to-
and small, and I hope all will play a part.
non-nuclear states that it will seek immediate
r. Many na-
Member states, as always, must retain the
action to provide assistance in accordance
Canada, and
final decision on the use of their troops, of
with the charter to any non-nuclear weapons
eacekeeping.
course. But we must develop our ability to
state party to the NPT that is a victim of
xperience as
coordinate peacekeeping efforts so that we
an act of aggression or an object of threat
ns. Effective
can mobilize quickly when a threat to peace
of aggression involving nuclear weapons.
quire coordi-
arises or when people in need look to the
I also call for the indefinite renewal of the
d interoper-
world for help.
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty when it is
communica-
I have further directed the establishment
reviewed in 1995. I believe we must explore
aining, field
of a permanent peacekeeping curriculum in
ways that we can strengthen linkages be-
ese efforts
U.S. military schools. Training plainly is key.
tween these suppliers' clubs, the Nuclear
rganizations.
The United States is prepared to make avail-
Suppliers Group, Australia Group, and the
1700
Sept. 21 / Administration of George Bush, 1992
Adminis
Missile Technology Control Regime, and
zero-sum process. All of us will benefit from
Work
specialized U.N. agencies. Here, I would like
the expanded trade and investment that
& top-to-
to note UNSCOM's productive efforts to dis-
comes from a vibrant, growing world econ-
that plar
mantle the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction
drastical
omy.
program and the International Atomic En-
To ensure that the benefits of this growth
built up
ergy Agency's continuing good work.
are sustained and shared by all, fair and open
grams; Si
But as the U.N. organizations adapt to stop
competition should be the fuel for the global
strength
proliferation, so, too, must every member
velopme
economic engine. That's why the United
state change its structures to advance our
States wants to complete the Uruguay round
cy for In
nonproliferation goals. In that spirit, I want
other ins
of the GATT negotiations as soon as possible
to announce my intention today to work with
needs to to'
and to create a network of free trade agree-
the United States Congress to redirect the
hauled. F
ments beginning with the North American
United States Arms Control and Disar-
tunity, a
free trade agreement. At the same time we
mament Agency, known to some of you as
primary
need to recognize that we have a shared re-
Our a.
ACDA, to refocus its talents on providing
sponsibility to foster and support the free
technical support for nonproliferation, weap-
ity. On
market reforms necessary to build growing
ons monitoring and destruction, and global
mutual I
economies and vibrant democracies in the
defense conversion. Under the direction of
foreign a
the Secretary of State, ACDA should be used
developing world and in the new democratic
ing a $1
not only in completing the traditional arms
states. This should be done by promoting the
provide
private sector to build these new economies,
business
control agenda, but, just as importantly, in
not by fostering dependency with traditional
services
providing technical assistance on our new se-
curity agenda.
government-to-government foreign aid.
dertaking
Even as we work to prevent proliferation
Since World War II, foreign assistance
I will
of weapons of mass destruction, we must be
often served as a weapon in the cold war.
the prog.
realistic and guard ourselves against pro-
Obviously, we will still use critical foreign as-
ensure t
liferation that has already taken place. There-
sistance funds to meet legitimate security
promote
fore, we're working toward a cooperative sys-
needs. As our humanitarian operations in So-
growth. -
tem for defense against limited ballistic mis-
malia and northern Iraq, Bosnia, and the
Llobal P
sile attacks. And we fully intend to have other
former Soviet Union will testify, we will con-
to enhan
tinue our robust humanitarian assistance ef-
in world
nations participate in this global protection
system.
forts to help those suffering from manmade
another.
While expanded peacekeeping capabilities
and natural disasters.
cies. Eac
and improved nonproliferation efforts will be
But foreign aid as we've known it needs
greater C(
to be transformed. The notion of the handout
world ecc
critical for building an enduring peace,
Ladies
shared economic growth is the long-term
to less developed countries needs to give way
I've outli
foundation for a brighter future well into the
to cooperation in mutually productive eco-
But we li
next century. That's why I stated yesterday,
nomic relationships. We know that the more
during a moment of international uncer-
a nation relies on the private sector and free
empires
walls crur
tainty, that the United States would be
markets, the higher its rate of growth; the
so fast tha
strongly engaged with its global partners in
more open to trade, the higher its rate of
how fast
building a global economic, financial, and
growth; and the better a country's investment
hopes for
trading structure for this new era. At the
climate, the higher its rate of growth.
nations.
same time I urge that our global responsibil-
To move from aid, what I would call aid
In the
ities lead us to examine ways to strengthen
dependency, to economic partnership, we
loss of so
the G-7 coordination process. I affirmed
propose to alter fundamentally the focus of
ble, ther
America's support for European integration
U.S. assistance programs to building strong,
ole every
that opens markets and enhances Europe's
independent economies that can become
walls arou
capability to be our partner in the great chal-
contributors to a healthy, growing global
walls agai
lenges that we face in this new era.
economy. Now, that means that our new em-
investment
While the exact form of integration is, of
phasis should be on building economic part-
appears r
course, for Europeans to determine, we will
nerships among our private sectors that will
Wall fell,
stand by them. Economic growth is not a
promote prosperity at home and abroad also.
Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Sept. 21
1701
Working with our Congress, I will propose
must fall because we cannot separate our fate
top-to-bottom overhaul of our institutions
from that of others. Our peace is so inter-
that plan and administer foreign assistance,
connected, our security so intertwined, our
drastically reducing the bureaucracy that has
prosperity so interdependent that to turn in-
built up around Government-based pro-
ward and retreat from the world is to invite
grams; streamlining our delivery systems; and
disaster and defeat.
strengthening support for private sector de-
At the threshold of a new century we can
velopment and economic reform. The Agen-
truly say a more peaceful, more secure, more
cy for International Development, AID, an-
prospering future beckons to us. And for the
other institution born during the cold war,
sake of our children and our grandchildren,
needs to be fundamentally and radically over-
and for the sake of those who perished during
hauled. Promoting economic security, oppor-
the cold war, and for the sake of every man,
tunity, and competitiveness will become a
woman, and child who kept freedom's flame
primary mission of the State Department.
alive even during the darkest noon, let us
Our assistance efforts should not be char-
pledge ourselves to make that future real.
ity. On the contrary, they should promote
And let us pledge ourselves to fulfill the
mutual prosperity. Therefore, using existing
promise of a truly United Nations.
foreign affairs resources, I will propose creat-
Thank you, and may God bless you all.
ing a $1 billion growth fund. The fund will
Thank you very much.
provide grants and credits to support U.S.
businesses in providing expertise, goods, and
Note: The President spoke at 11:02 a.m. in
services desperately needed in countries un-
the General Assembly Hall at the United Na-
dertaking economic restructuring.
tions.
I will also support significantly increasing
the programs of the Export-Import Bank to
ensure that U.S. products and technology
promote investment in worldwide economic
Message to the Senate Transmitting
growth. The United States will work with its
the Organization of American States-
lobal partners, especially the G-7 nations,
United States Headquarters
to enhance global growth at this key point
Agreement
in world history as we end one era and begin
September 21, 1992
another. None of us can afford insular poli-
cies. Each of us must contribute through
To the Senate of the United States:
greater coordinated action to build a stronger
With a view to receiving the advice and
world economy.
consent of the Senate to approval, I transmit
Ladies and gentlemen, I realize that what
herewith the Headquarters Agreement Be-
I've outlined today is an ambitious agenda.
tween the Government of the United States
But we live in remarkable times, times when
of America and the Organization of American
empires collapse, ideologies dissolve, and
States ("the Agreement"), signed at Wash-
walls crumble, times when change can come
ington on May 14, 1992. I transmit also, for
so fast that we sometimes forget how far and
the information of the Senate, the Report of
how fast we've progressed in achieving our
the Department of State with respect to this
hopes for a global community of democratic
Agreement.
nations.
The Agreement will place the status of the
In the face of today's changes, with the
Organization of American States ("OAS") in
loss of so much that was familiar and predict-
the United States on a clear legal basis and
ble, there is now a great temptation for peo-
will underscore our commitment to the Or-
ple everywhere to turn inward and to build
ganization. The Agreement in large measure
walls around themselves: walls against trade,
elaborates and codifies the existing arrange-
walls against people, walls against ideas and
ments governing the presence of the head-
investment, walls against anything at all that
quarters of the OAS in the United States.
appears new and different. As the Berlin
However, it departs from existing arrange-
Wall fell, these walls, too, must fall. They
ments in several respects. It extends diplo-