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POW/MIA 7/24/92 [OA 7577]
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POW/MIA 7/24/92 [OA 7577]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
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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 Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13822
Folder ID Number:
13822-011
Folder Title:
POW/MIA 7/24/92 [OA 7577]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
22
6
5
Date To Jannie
Time
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
M
of
Phone
Area Code
Number
Extension
TELEPHONED
PLEASE CALL
CALLED TO SEE YOU
WILL CALL AGAIN
WANTS TO SEE YOU
URGENT
RETURNED YOUR CALL
Message See. D. will
NOT be there
Operator
AMPAD
EFFICIENCY®
23-023 CARBONLESS
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Brookville, Ohio)
For Immediate Release
July 24, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES
OF POW/MIA'S IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Stouffer Concourse Hotel
Crystal city, Virginia
9:35 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Sue, thank you very
much. And, Ann, I'm just glad to be back with you and this
organization. To members of the board, my respects; to the family,
friends.
Let me first start off by saluting two former NSC hands
-- Bud McFarland and Dick Childress over here who have worked very
hard on all of this. (Applause.) And also the Chairman Emeritus,
George Brooks. (Applause.)
Let me begin by thanking you for the opportunity to
speak again to what has got to be one of the bravest and most
dedicated groups of Americans in this country.
We live in a marvelous time, a time of tremendous
opportunity. We've seen the end of the Cold War and the collapse of
imperial communism and a new birth of freedom, from Moscow to
Managua. America's courage, America's vision, America's values have
indeed changed the world. (Applause.)
And, yes, the Cold War may be over, but the noble cause
that took your fathers, your sons and your husbands away from home is
with us still. And our work must not end and will not end until you
have answers about your loved ones. (Applause.)
Over the past 20 years, the National League of Families
has seen the issue of your missing swept up in international or
domestic politics, manipulated by foreign governments, exploited by
con men, sensationalized by the media. And all that time, you never
lost sight of what you were looking for: good faith, an honest
effort to resolve your uncertainty, to find answers to the agonizing
question that you live with every day.
Sometimes you may have wondered whether your government
had forgotten you. And when President Reagan and I took office in
MORE
- 2 -
'81, we made your ordeal our top priority. We knew that with all the
uncertainties you live with, the one thing you should be sure of is
that your government really cares.
You're talking to a person that was shot down himself in
combat. Fortunately, I wasn't taken prisoner, but I was shot down in
combat. I understand a little bit what that means. I understand
what it means. And BO we set out to meet with you to ask your
advice.
And when we took office, no policy-level negotiations
with Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia had been held for several years. And
despite the fears of some that negotiating with Vietnam implied
recognition, despite the fears of others that the POW/MIA issue was a
Cold War fantasy, we took your advice and entered into high-level
negotiations.
And when we took office, some saw this issue as a matter
between this nation and Vietnam, not part of broader relations
between the U.S. and Soviet, China and our friends in ASEAN -- the
ASEAN countries. We took your advice and urged our friends as well
as our adversaries to help us find the answers.
And let me add that I am gratified to hear the ASEAN
ambassadors are here today. I salute them over there. (Applause.)
They are cooperating with us. Their countries deserve credit for
their understanding, for their help and for their fellowship with
you, the families. (Applause.)
Most important of all, when we took office, we came up
against a string of official statements -- (audience disruption.)
No, no -- no, this is a very emotional -- understandably
emotional. And the thing that I would say to you, however, as a
veteran, and one who still wears my Navy wings from time to time is,
I hope you understand how I feel about patriotism, about service to
my country. And I will put my record up against anybody here.
let me finish. (Applause.) Would you please shut up and sit down.
(Audience disruption.) And I just -- would you please be quiet and
(Applause.)
And I would say this: To suggest that a Commander-in-
chief that led this country into its most successful recent effort
would condone for one single day the personal knowledge of a person
held against his will, whether it's here or anyplace else, is simply
totally unfair. (Applause.) Now, to say I understand the agony that
I've reheard here today is true. I do.
But I do not like the suggestion that any American
his will, whether it's here or the allegation being over in the other
anywhere would know of a live American being held somewhere against
MORE
- 3 -
part of the world -- Iran; the suggestion was made that we left
people being prisoner in Iran so to win an election. Now, what kind
of an allegation is that to make against a patriot? What kind to
make against -- it is not.
And SO I would simply say to you: I care about it. We
are trying and we're going to continue to try. And I understand the
divisions here. I understand the divisions we hear in these
hearings. I understand the agony that people feel. But I would also
like to ask that you understand where I'm coming from on this issue.
And I think most of you do. And I'm going to continue to try.
(Applause.)
We talked about Presidential commissions and
congressional committees indicating that they felt Vietnam had done
all it could. And once again, we took your advice. We refused to
accept the fact that the book was closed.
And it's no secret to any of you that for many years
now, significant lobbying has taken place in opposition to this
policy. And some of it comes from those same voices we've heard
since the '70s -- people who want us to pretend Vietnam never
happened. And some comes from people who seek to smooth over
sticking points that stand in the way of commercial opportunities.
And others say, look, the war is over, let's move on.
And that is something we can and will never say. (Applause.) For
us, the POW/MIA issue is not a sticking point; not some bad dream we
shake off; not a footnote from a forgotten time we can simply ignore.
The POW/MIA issue is something entirely different --
something more. And this I want you to understand: It is a question
of justice, of oaths sworn, of commitments kept, and a nation's test
of its own worth measured in the life of one, lone individual.
(Applause.) And this we know: The wounds won't heal, the American
family will not be whole, as I said earlier, so long as the brave men
remain missing.
And in my Inaugural Address as President, I did say that
"goodwill begets goodwill." And in the spirit of that statement, we
developed a detailed road map for Vietnam -- a road map that
addresses our objectives as well as that government's desire in terms
of diplomatic and economic relations with the United States.
Let me be very clear: Without further positive movement
on the POWs and MIAs, we cannot and will not continue to move forward
with Hanoi. (Applause.)
Now, the other side of this is where they have moved,
we've responded. When the government of Vietnam pledged greater
cooperation, including field operations, we greatly increased our
MORE
- 4 -
manpower, even opened a permanent office in Hanoi. And while we've
seen an unprecedented level of joint investigations, these activities
have not provided the concrete results that we seek.
Make no mistake, we want to continue and expand our
joint efforts. And I'll never accept joint activities as a
substitute for real results. (Applause.) Your long years of
uncertainty must end. And I am pledged to end them in any way I can.
(Applause.)
And now as a measure of simple human decency, I call on
the government of Vietnam again to repatriate all recovered and
readily recoverable remains. I call on the government of Vietnam to
act without delay.
And I can say in return the United States stands ready
to move forward on the road map that we've laid out. My message is
the same to the other nations of Indochina. In Laos, our joint field
operations have produced definitive answers, but the process remains
painfully slow and cumbersome. We recognize the reality that most of
our men unaccounted for in Laos were lost in areas under Vietnamese
control.
Our relations with Laos have grown from wary distrust in
those early '80s, to a broader, more open relationship. We cannot
let this momentum wane. And I address the Lao leaders when I say our
relationship can grow further, and will, if and when they provide the
cooperation we now seek. (Applause.)
Our years of trying to seek cooperation from Cambodia
and the Soviets were not rewarded until just recently. The UN-
sponsored settlement plan in Cambodia, the historic changes in the
lands that used to be the Soviet Union have opened the way for
unprecedented access. And we will push hard to translate this access
into answers. (Applause.)
I know you've lived through hopes and then hopes dashed
before. And unfortunately -- and it breaks my heart to see this
happen, we have seen false reporting. I think We would all agree
there have been some scam operations that divert manpower and sap our
resources. I simply cannot fathom the cruelty of those who would
exploit that issue for personal gain. (Applause.)
Nevertheless, we are determined not to allow such
incidents to discourage us. And we're going to continue to pursue
and openly receive information from all sources and continue to treat
each report --- every report --- as the breakthrough that just might
end the ordeal of one single American family. (Applause.)
I think our efforts have produced some results. For 241
families, the uncertainty has ended. For others -- too many others
MORE
- 5 -
-- the questions linger. And every day now, it seems, the news
purports to unearth some great new revelation of fact -- facts that
you've known for 20 years and facts we've shared with you for a
decade.
Well, the key fact is one we all agree on: There are
Americans who did not return home at the end of hostilities -- and
Americans last known to be alive. Accounting for these men remains
this highest priority. (Applause.) And although there's not proof
that any Americans are now alive, in the absence of firm answers, our
assumption will always be: Let facts direct our policy. And let
hope be our guide. (Applause.)
so the policy remains: full disclosure -- full
disclosure of all relevant information to families. And we're going
to continue to cooperate fully with congressional committees to
ensure the access they must have to perform their oversight role.
But there are some things we're not going to do.
However loud the critics may complain, we will not publicly release
any information that would jeopardize ongoing intelligence or
negotiating efforts to account for your missing loved ones.
(Applause.)
And let the critics complain. We have got to get this
job done. And as President, I take it to be an article of faith -- a
solemn covenant with those who serve this country: The United States
will make every possible effort always, take every possible action,
to account for those taken prisoner or missing in action. Our aim
remains: the fullest possible accounting for our POWs and MIAs and
nothing less. And I want you to know that comes to you with
conviction. (Applause.)
Let me just say semething about this gentleman sitting
here. Tell me your name again -- Jeff. I can't pretend to know the
grief that you carry in your heart. My experience in combat was a
little different. My wingman was shot down the first -- disappeared
the first mission I was on. We had maybe something like seven out of
our squadron of 15 killed.
I understand what combat is, but I can't -- because of
the way Barbara and I feel about our family -- I can't try to say
that I understand the grief that you carry with you every day -- the
anguish of uncertainty. So I don't want to try to put myself with
everybody here who has suffered for a long time on a equal plane in
that sense. That's not what I'm trying to do.
But I can remember that day that I mentioned to you
fifty years ago, when I was a scared kid -- 20 years old, I think --
floating around just a couple of miles off a Japanese-held island.
And I remember the uncertainty at that moment. And I can remember,
MORE
- 6 -
when I wasn't wondering if anyone would find me at all, my worry was
who's going to find me.
so what I'm trying to say is, I can identify with those
who served. And I can identify with their sacrifice. I can identify
as a father who lost a child with the family implications -- but
again I'm not trying to put myself on the same plane with those who
have suffered a lot.
But what I want to tell you is, I mean what I tell you
in terms of priority. And I know there's doubt here, and I know
people are saying, as this gentleman said right from the heart: "Go
over there and bring them back." Do you think if I knew of one
single person and where he is and how it was that I wouldn't do that?
of course, I'd do that. (Applause.)
And BO all I'm asking -- all I'm here to say is I am the
President, and I am the Commander-in-Chief. Some of you believe it,
and some of you may not. But we are going to get this job done, and
we are going to account for every single person who is missing. And
I'm going to keep on it. I don't care how long it takes.
(Applause.)
And thank you very, very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
10:00 A.M. EDT
To
Jeannie
Date
CHAWA
Time 4:15
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
M
Mary Backley
of
(EXX)
Phone 703 (418)6800 7752
Area Code
Number
Extension
TELEPHONED
X
PLEASE CALL
CALLED TO SEE YOU
WILL CALL AGAIN
WANTS TO SEE YOU
URGENT
RETURNED YOUR CALL
Message
National League
of Cities
CK
Operator
AMPAD
EFFICIENCY®
23-023 CARBONLESS
Dick CHILDRESS
FORMER DIR. ASIAN
AFFAIRS NSC FOR
PRES. REAGAN
I
CONE. PENE PETERSON
(FLA)
No/Achutaler
I
CONG. SAM JOHNSON (TX)
Date To Jeannil mtg.5pm. Time
- Kris Godwin
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
of Bd.rf Dirs. (9mbrs.)
M Bais Cowling
Phone 703-756-6257
Area Code
Number
Extension
TELEPHONED
PLEASE CALL
4
CALLED TO SEE YOU
WILL CALL AGAIN
WANTS TO SEE YOU
URGENT
RETURNED YOUR CALL
t
4341
Message
tage through Signal
of not there
4341
got
Operator
AMPAD
EFFICIENCY®
23-023 CARBONLESS
JUL-23-92 THU 18:40
P.01/02
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES
OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
1001 CONNECTICUT AVENUE. NORTHWEST, SUITE 219
202/223-6846
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20036-5504
UPDATE LINE: 202/659-0133
/
FAX TRANSMITTAL
TO:
Jeannie Buster
1768
FAX NUMBER:
456 - 6218
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 703/808-2794
FROM:
ANN MILLS GRIFFITHS
FAX NUMBER:
202/785-9410
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
202/775-8076
DATE:
7/23/92
TIME:
6:45 per
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THE COVER SHEET: 2
NOTES:
Ain gour request
JUL-23-92 T.HU 18:41
P.02/02
ASEAN AMBASSADORS
His Excellency M.L. Birabbongse Kasemsri
Royal Thai Embassy
2300 Kalorama Road, NW
Washington, D.C. 20003
(WILL ATTEND OPENING SESSION FOR PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS)
His Excellency Abdul Majid Mohamed
Embassy of Malaysia
2401 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
(WILL ATTEND OPENING SESSION FOR PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS)
His Excellency Abdul Rachman Ramly
Embassy of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
(AMB. OT: SENDING LTC DADI SUSANTO & WIFE - MILITARY ATTACHE)
His Excellency Emmanuel Pelaez
Embassy of the Philippines
1617 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
(WILL ATTEND THE OPENING SESSION FOR PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS)
His Excellency S.R. Nathan
Embassy of Singapore
1824 R Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
(WILL ATTEND THE OPENING SESSION FOR PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS)
His Excellency Dato Haji Mohammed Kassim
Embassy of Brunei
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
(ZAINIDI HAJI SIDUP, CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, WILL ATTEND PRES. ADDRESS)
McGroarty/Bunton
July 21, 1992
6:00 p.m.
[POW-MIA]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN
PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Stouffer Concourse Hotel
JULY 24, 1992
9:30 A.M.
Sue, Anne, members of the board, family members and friends,
and also my old friend, [[your Chairman Emeritus, Mr. George
Brooks. ]]
Let me begin by thanking you for the opportunity to speak
again to one of the bravest and most dedicated groups of
Americans in this country.
Over the past 20 years, the National League of Families has
seen the issue of your missing relatives swept up in
international or domestic politics, manipulated by foreign
governments / exploited by con men / sensationalized by the
media. All that time, you never lost sight of what you were
looking for: good faith -- an honest effort to resolve your
uncertainty, to find answers to the question you live with every
day.
Many times you've wondered whether your government had
forgotten you. When Ronald Reagan and I took office in 1981, we
made your ordeal our priority. After years of neglect -- with
all the uncertainties you live with -- the one thing you should
be sure of is that your government cares.
So we set out to meet with you -- to ask your advice.
When we took office, no policy-level negotiations with
Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia had been held for several years.
2
Despite fears from the right that negotiating with Vietnam
implied recognition, and from the left that the POW/MIA issue was
a Cold War fantasy -- we took your advice and entered high-level
negotiations.
When we took office, some saw this issue as a matter between
this nation and Vietnam -- not part of the broader relations
between the U.S. and Soviet Union, China and our friends in
ASEAN. We took your advice, and urged our friends as well as our
adversaries to help us find answers.
When we took office, we came up against a string of official
statements, Presidential commissions and Congressional committees
indicating that they felt Vietnam had done all it could. Once
again, we took your advice -- and refused to accept indifference
as an answer.
It is no secret to any of you that for many years now,
significant lobbying has taken place in opposition to our policy.
Some of it comes from those same voices we've heard since the
'70's -- people who want us to pretend Vietnam never happened.
Some comes from people who seek to smooth over sticking points
that stand in the way of commercial opportun ties.
Others simply say, "The war is over. Let's move on." //
But for us, the POW/MIA issue is not a sticking point. Not
some bad dream we shake off. Not a footnote from a forgotten
time we can simply ignore. The POW/MIA issue is something
different -- something more: it is a question of justice. A
3
nation's test of its own worth -- measured in the life of one,
lone individual.
This we know: The wounds won't heal -- the war won't end -
- so long as even one brave American remains unaccounted for.
In my inaugural address as President, I said that "goodwill
begets goodwill." In the spirit of that statement, we developed
a detailed roadmap for Vietnam -- a roadmap that addresses our
objectives, as well as that government's desires in terms of
diplomatic and economic relations with the United States. Let me
be clear: without that kind of positive movement on POW's and
MIA's, we cannot and will not move forward with Hanoi. //
Where Vietnam has moved, we've responded. When the
Government of Vietnam pledged greater cooperation -- including
field operations -- we greatly increased our manpower. And while
we've seen an unprecedented level of joint investigations --
these activities have not provided the concrete results we seek.
Make no mistake: We want to continue and expand our joint
efforts. But joint efforts can never be a substitute for real
results that end your uncertainty. //
I continue to believe: Our own informa ion suggests that
Vietnam can resolve hundreds of cases, unilaterally and
instantly. Once more, I call on the Government of Vietnam to act
-- without delay. //
I can say, in return, the United States stands ready to move
forward on the roadmap we've laid out.
4
My message is the same to the other nations of Indochina.
In Laos, our joint field operations have produced definitive
answers, but the process remains painfully slow and cumbersome.
We recognize the reality that most of our men unaccounted for in
Laos were lost in areas under Vietnamese control.
Our relations with Laos have grown from wary distrust in the
early 1980's to a broader, more open relationship. We cannot let
this momentum wane, and I address the Lao leaders when I say our
relationship can grow further, and will, if they provide the
cooperation we now seek.
Our years of attempting to seek cooperation from Cambodia
and the Soviets were not rewarded -- until just recently. The
UN-sponsored settlement in Cambodia -- and the historic changes
in the lands of the old Soviet Union --- have opened the way for
unprecedented access. We will push hard to translate this access
into answers.
I know you've lived through all this before. We have,
unfortunately -- and it breaks my heart to see this happen --
seen false reporting, even scam operations, that divert manpower
and sap our resources. I simply cannot fath m the cruelty of
those who would exploit this issue for personal gain.
Nevertheless, we are determined not to allow such incidents
to discourage us. We will continue to pursue and openly receive
information from all sources. We will continue to treat each
report -- every report -- as the breakthrough that just might end
one family's ordeal.
5
Our efforts since 1981 have produced results. For 241
families, the uncertainty has ended. For others -- too many
others -- the questions linger. And every day now, it seems, the
news purports to unearth some great new revelation of fact --
facts you've known for 20 years. Facts we've shared with you for
a decade.
Well, the key fact is one we all agree on:
There are Americans who did not return home at the end of
hostilities -- Americans last known to be alive in captivity.
Learning the fate of these men remains our highest priority.
And although we do not yet have proof that any Americans are
now alive, in the absence of firm answers -- our assumption will
always be: Let hope be our guide.
Our policy remains: full disclosure -- full disclosure of
all relevant information to families. We will continue to
cooperate fully with Congressional committees -- to ensure the
access they must have to perform their important oversight role.
But there are some things we will not do -- however loud the
critics may complain. We will not publicly release any
information that would jeopardize ongoing in elligence efforts or
negotiations to account for your missing loved ones -- America's
missing heroes.
I repeat: let the critics complain. We have a job to do.
As President, I take it to be an article of faith -- a
solemn covenant with those who serve this country: The United
States will always make every possible effort -- take every
6
possible action -- to learn the fate of those taken prisoner or
missing in action. Our aim remains: a full accounting for every
POW and MIA -- nothing less. //
Let me close today with a few words from the heart. //
No, I don't know the grief you carry with you. I can't
claim to understand the anguish of uncertainty -- or the solace
of hope.
But I can remember the day -- almost fifty years ago now -
when I was a scared kid, alone in a raft, paddling against the
current to keep from washing ashore on an enemy island. I can
remember -- when I wasn't wondering if anyone would find me at
all -- worrying about who might find me first. //
I was fortunate. / I know that.
And I learned first-hand what it means that America will
never abandon its fighting men, whatever their fate. ///
You have my word: America will never forget. America will
stand with you -- until every hero has come home. //
Thank you again for having me with you. God bless you --
and may God bless the greatest country on earth, the United
States of America.
# # #
McGroarty/Bunton
July 23, 1992
6 p.m.
[POW-MIA]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN
PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Stouffer Concourse Hotel
JULY 24, 1992
9:30 A.M.
Sue. Ann. Members of the board, family members and
friends. Let me salute two old NSC hands -- Bud McFarland and
Dick Childress. And also my old friend, your Chairman Emeritus,
Mr. George Brooks.
Let me begin by thanking you for the opportunity to speak
again to one of the bravest and most dedicated groups of
Americans in this country.
We live at a time of tremendous opportunity. We've seen the
end of the Cold War -- the collapse of imperial communism -- and
a new birth of freedom, from Moscow to Managua. America's
courage -- America's vision -- America's values -- have changed
the world.
Yes, the Cold War may be over, but the noble cause that took
your fathers, your sons, your husbands away from home
...
is with
us still.
Our work must not end. Our work will not end -- until you
have answers about your loved ones. //
Over the past 20 years, the National League of Families has
seen the issue of your missing relatives swept up in
international or domestic politics, manipulated by foreign
governments / exploited by con men / sensationalized by the
media. All that time, you never lost sight of what you were
2
looking for: good faith -- an honest effort to resolve your
uncertainty, to find answers to the agonizing question you live
with every day.
Sometimes you may have even wondered whether your government
had forgotten you. / When Ronald Reagan and I took office in
1981, we made your ordeal
our priority. We knew that -- with
all the uncertainties you live with -- the one thing you should
be sure of
is that your government cares.
So we set out to meet with you -- to ask your advice.
When we took office, no policy-level negotiations with
Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia had been held for several years.
Despite the fears of some that negotiating with Vietnam implied
recognition -- despite the fears of others that the POW/MIA issue
was a Cold War fantasy -- we took your advice / and entered high-
level negotiations.
When we took office, some saw this issue as a matter between
this nation and Vietnam -- not part of the broader relations
between the U.S. and Soviet Union, China and our friends in
ASEAN. We took your advice / and urged our friends as well as
our adversaries to help us find answers.
And let me add that I'm gratified to hear the ASEAN
ambassadors are here today. The ASEAN countries deserve credit
for their understanding, for their help -- and for their
fellowship with you, the families.
Most important of all: When we took office, we came up
against a string of official statements, Presidential commissions
3
and Congressional committees indicating that they felt Vietnam
had done all it could. Once again, we took your advice -- and
refused to accept the fact that the book was closed.
It is no secret to any of you that for many years now,
significant lobbying has taken place in opposition to our policy.
Some of it comes from those same voices we've heard since the
'70's -- people who want us to pretend Vietnam never happened.
Some comes from people who seek to smooth over sticking points
that stand in the way of commercial opportunities.
Others simply say, "The war is over. / Let's move on. " //
That is something we can never say. ///
For us, the POW/MIA issue is not a sticking point. Not some
bad dream we shake off. Not a footnote from a forgotten time we
can simply ignore.
The POW/MIA issue is something different -- something more:
it is
a question of justice. of oaths sworn -- and
commitments kept: A nation's test of its own worth -- measured
in the life of one, lone individual.
This we know: The wounds won't heal -- the American family
will not be whole -- so long as brave men remain missing. //
In my inaugural address as President, I said that "goodwill
begets goodwill." In the spirit of that statement, we developed
a detailed roadmap for Vietnam -- a roadmap that addresses our
objectives, as well as that government's desires in terms of
diplomatic and economic relations with the United States. Let me
4
be clear: without positive movement on POW's and MIA's, we
cannot and will not move forward with Hanoi. 11
Where Vietnam has moved, we've responded. When the
Government of Vietnam pledged greater cooperation -- including
field operations -- we greatly increased our manpower, even
opened a permanent office in Hanoi. And while we've seen an
unprecedented level of joint investigations -- these activities
have not provided the concrete results we seek. Make no mistake:
We want to continue and expand our joint efforts. I will never
accept joint activities as a substitute for real results. Your
long years of uncertainty must end. //
As a measure of simple human decency -- I call on the
Government of Vietnam to repatriate all recovered and readily
recoverable remains. I call on the Government of Vietnam to act
-- without delay. //
I can say, in return, the United States stands ready to move
forward on the roadmap we've laid out.
My message is the same to the other nations of Indochina.
In Laos, our joint field operations have produced definitive
answers, but the process remains painfully slow and cumbersome.
We recognize the reality that most of our men unaccounted for in
Laos were lost in areas under Vietnamese control.
Our relations with Laos have grown from wary distrust in the
early 1980's to a broader, more open relationship. We cannot let
this momentum wane, and I address the Lao leaders when I say our
5
relationship can grow further, and will -- if and when they
provide the cooperation we now seek.
Our years of attempting to seek cooperation from Cambodia
and the Soviets were not rewarded -- until just recently. The
UN-sponsored settlement plan in Cambodia -- the historic changes
in the lands of the old Soviet Union -- have opened the way for
unprecedented access. We will push hard to translate this access
into answers.
I know you've lived through all this before. Unfortunately
-- and it breaks my heart to see this happen -- we have seen
false reporting, even scam operations, that divert manpower and
sap our resources. I simply cannot fathom the cruelty of those
who would exploit this issue for personal gain. Nevertheless,
we are determined not to allow such incidents to discourage us.
We will continue to pursue and openly receive information from
all sources. We will continue to treat each report -- every
report -- as the breakthrough that just might end one family's
ordeal.
Our efforts since 1981 have produced results. For 241
families, the uncertainty has ended. For others -- too many
others -- the questions linger. And every day now, it seems, the
news purports to unearth some great new revelation of fact --
facts you've known for 20 years. Facts we've shared with you for
a decade.
Well, the key fact is one we all agree on:
6
There are Americans who did not return home at the end of
hostilities -- Americans last known to be alive. //
Accounting for these men remains our highest priority. //
And although we do not yet have proof that any Americans are
now alive, in the absence of firm answers -- our assumption will
always be: Let facts direct our policy. And let hope be our
guide. //
Our policy remains: full disclosure -- full disclosure of
all relevant information to families. We will continue to
cooperate fully with Congressional committees -- to ensure the
access they must have to perform their important oversight role.
But there are some things we will not do -- however loud the
critics may complain. We will not publicly release any
information that would jeopardize ongoing intelligence efforts or
negotiations to account for your missing loved ones -- America's
missing heroes.
I repeat: let the critics complain. We have a job to do.
//
As President, I take it to be an article of faith -- a
solemn covenant with those who serve this country: The United
States will always make every possible effort -- take every
possible action -- to account for those taken prisoner or missing
in action. Our aim remains: the fullest possible accounting for
our POW's and MIA's -- nothing less. //
Let me close today with a few words from the heart. //
7
No, I don't know the grief you carry with you. I can't
claim to understand the anguish of uncertainty -- or the solace
of hope.
But I can remember the day -- almost fifty years ago now -
when I was a scared kid, alone in a raft, paddling against the
current to keep from washing ashore on an enemy island. I can
remember -- when I wasn't wondering if anyone would find me at
all -- worrying about who might find me first. //
I was fortunate. / I know that.
And I learned first-hand what it means to know that America
will never abandon its fighting men, whatever their fate. ///
You have my word: America will never forget. America will
stand with you -- until America's heroes have come home. //
Thank you again for having me with you. God bless you --
and may God bless the greatest country on earth, the United
States of America.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 23, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DAN MC GROARTY oner
SUBJECT:
PROPOSED REMARKS TO NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF
AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
I. SUMMARY
On Friday, July 24 at 9:30 a.m., in the Grand Ballroom of
the Stouffer Concourse Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, you will
deliver remarks to 600 members of the National League of Families
of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.
II. DISCUSSION
Your remarks (approximately 12 minutes / teleprompter) focus
on this Administration's efforts for full accounting of each
American POW and MIA.
Sue Scott, chair of Board. - intros porus
Ann Mills Griffiths-league the air.
Beardmembers
McGroarty/Bunton
said (sec. Derwinkit will not accords be there Nam@loar to
July 23, 1992
10:00 a.m.
David G Gith can. attrs. cab!
[POW-MIA]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS Karer
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN
PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Stouffer Concourse Hotel
Cong. Mo. may Pete Petend Peterson 202-273-2013 202
JULY 24, 1992
9:30 A.M.
Sue, Ann, members of the board, family members and friends,
Bud
Mc
and also my old friend, [[your Chairman Emeritus, Mr. George
Brooks. ]]
Let me begin by thanking you for the opportunity to speak
again to one of the bravest and most dedicated groups of
Americans in this country.
We live at a time of tremendous opportunity. We've seen the
end of the Cold War -- the collapse of imperial communism -- and
a new birth of freedom, from Moscow to Managua. America's
courage -- America's vision -- America's values -- have changed
the world.
Yes, the Cold War may be over, but the war that took your
fathers, your sons, your husbands away from home
did not end.
Must not end. Will not end -- until you learn the fate of your
loved ones. //
Over the past 20 years, the National League of Families has
seen the issue of your missing relatives swept up in
international or domestic politics, manipulated by foreign
governments / exploited by con men / sensationalized by the
media. All that time, you never lost sight of what you were
looking for: good faith -- an honest effort to resolve your
2
uncertainty, to find answers to the question you live with every
day.
Many times you've wondered whether your government had
forgotten you. When Ronald Reagan and I took office in 1981, we
made your ordeal
our priority. We knew that, after years of
neglect -- with all the uncertainties you live with -- the one
thing you should be sure of
is that your government cares.
So we set out to meet with you -- to ask your advice.
When we took office, no policy-level negotiations with
Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia had been held for several years.
Despite the fears of some that negotiating with Vietnam implied
recognition -- despite the fears of others that the POW/MIA issue
was a Cold War fantasy -- we took your advice and entered high-
level negotiations.
When we took office, some saw this issue as a matter between
this nation and Vietnam -- not part of the broader relations
between the U.S. and Soviet Union, China and our friends in
ASEAN. We took your advice, and urged our friends as well as our
adversaries to help us find answers.
And let me just add that I'm gratified to hear the ASEAN
ambassadors are here to meet with you today. The ASEAN countries
deserve credit for their understanding, for their help -- and for
their fellowship with you, the families.
When we took office, we came up against a string of official
statements, Presidential commissions and Congressional committees
indicating that they felt Vietnam had done all it could. Once
3
again, we took your advice -- and refused to accept indifference
as an answer.
It is no secret to any of you that for many years now,
significant lobbying has taken place in opposition to our policy.
Some of it comes from those same voices we've heard since the
'70's -- people who want us to pretend Vietnam never happened.
Some comes from people who seek to smooth over sticking points
that stand in the way of commercial opportunities.
Others simply say, "The war is over. / Let's move on." //
That is something we can never say. ///
For us, the POW/MIA issue is not a sticking point. Not some
bad dream we shake off. Not a footnote from a forgotten time we
can simply ignore. The POW/MIA issue is something different --
something more: it is a question of justice. A nation's test of
its own worth -- measured in the life of one, lone individual.
This we know: The wounds won't heal -- the war won't end -
- so long as even one brave American remains missing.
In my inaugural address as President, I said that "goodwill
begets goodwill." In the spirit of that statement, we developed
a detailed roadmap for Vietnam -- a roadmap hat addresses our
objectives, as well as that government's desires in terms of
diplomatic and economic relations with the United States. Let me
be clear: without that kind of positive movement on POW's and
MIA's, we cannot and will not move forward with Hanoi. //
Where Vietnam has moved, we've responded. When the
Government of Vietnam pledged greater cooperation -- including
4
field operations -- we greatly increased our manpower. And while
we've seen an unprecedented level of joint investigations --
these activities have not provided the concrete results we seek.
Make no mistake: We want to continue and expand our joint
efforts. I will never accept joint efforts as a substitute for
real results. Your long years of uncertainty must end. 11
As a measure of simple human decency -- I call on the
Government of Vietnam to repatriate all recovered and readily
recoverable remains. I call on the Government of Vietnam to act
-- without delay. //
I can say, in return, the United States stands ready to move
forward on the roadmap we've laid out.
My message is the same to the other nations of Indochina.
In Laos, our joint field operations have produced definitive
answers, but the process remains painfully slow and cumbersome.
We recognize the reality that most of our men unaccounted for in
Laos were lost in areas under Vietnamese control.
Our relations with Laos have grown from wary distrust in the
early 1980's to a broader, more open relationship. We cannot let
this momentum wane, and I address the Lao leaders when I say our
relationship can grow further, and will -- if and when they
provide the cooperation we now seek.
Our years of attempting to seek cooperation from Cambodia
and the Soviets were not rewarded -- until just recently. The
UN-sponsored settlement in Cambodia -- and the historic changes
in the lands of the old Soviet Union -- have opened the way for
5
unprecedented access. We will push hard to translate this access
into answers.
I know you've lived through all this before. Unfortunately
-- and it breaks my heart to see this happen -- we have seen
false reporting, even scam operations, that divert manpower and
sap our resources. I simply cannot fathom the cruelty of those
who would exploit this issue for personal gain. Nevertheless,
we are determined not to allow such incidents to discourage us.
We will continue to pursue and openly receive information from
all sources. We will continue to treat each report -- every
report -- as the breakthrough that just might end one family's
ordeal.
Our efforts since 1981 have produced results. For 241
families, the uncertainty has ended. For others -- too many
others -- the questions linger. And every day now, it seems, the
news purports to unearth some great new revelation of fact --
facts you've known for 20 years. Facts we've shared with you for
a decade.
Well, the key fact is one we all agree on:
There are Americans who did not return home at the end of
hostilities -- Americans last known to be alive. //
Accounting for these men remains our highest priority. //
And although we do not yet have proof that any Americans are
now alive, in the absence of fact or firm answers -- our
assumption will always be: Let hope be our guide.
6
Our policy remains: full disclosure -- full disclosure of
all relevant information to families. We will continue to
cooperate fully with Congressional committees -- to ensure the
access they must have to perform their important oversight role.
But there are some things we will not do -- however loud the
critics may complain. We will not publicly release any
information that would jeopardize ongoing intelligence efforts or
negotiations to account for your missing loved ones -- America's
missing heroes.
I repeat: let the critics complain. We have a job to do.
//
As President, I take it to be an article of faith -- a
solemn covenant with those who serve this country: The United
States will always make every possible effort -- take every
possible action -- to learn the fate of those taken prisoner or
missing in action. Our aim remains: the fullest possible
accounting for every POW and MIA -- nothing less. //
Let me close today with a few words from the heart. //
No, I don't know the grief you carry with you. I can't
claim to understand the anguish of uncertainty -- or the solace
of hope.
But I can remember the day -- almost fifty years ago now -
when I was a scared kid, alone in a raft, paddling against the
current to keep from washing ashore on an enemy island. I can
remember -- when I wasn't wondering if anyone would find me at
all -- worrying about who might find me first. //
7
I was fortunate. / I know that.
And I learned first-hand what it means to know that America
will never abandon its fighting men, whatever their fate. ///
You have my word: America will never forget. America will
stand with you -- until America's heroes have come home. //
Thank you again for having me with you. God bless you --
and may God bless the greatest country on earth, the United
States of America.
# # #
Mrs. Mary C. Currall-Backley
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
1001 CONNECTICUT AVE., N.W.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
SUITE 219
OF FAMILIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036-5504
OF AMERICAN PRISONERS
(202) 223-6846
AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Ed cowley
No PAGER
4380
PRE-ADVANCE/WALK-THRU QUESTIONNAIRE
EVENT: Nat'l League of Families of Am Prisones and missing inSE Asia
DATE: Fri 24th 9:30 m
TIME: 9:30am.
LOCATION:
Stouffer Concourse Hotel (Arlington, VA) (703)-418-6800
(GIVE DETAILS) 2399 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Ar lington, VA
NO STAFF OFFICE
EXPECTED (NUMBER AND AUDIENCE: COMPOSITION) 600 League Members
PRESS COVERAGE:
WH Press Corps, Locals
DAIS PARTICIPANTS: Sue Scott, Ann Mills Griffiths, Board Members
EXPECTED PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS OF
CABINET/CONGRESSIONAL/ADMINISTRATION:
MOC
POTUS INTRODUCTION: SUE SCOTT, Chair of Board
(WHCA introduces POTUS onto stage, Sue Scott gives brief intro.)
PERTINENT SPEECH TOPICS:
REASON FOR EVENT:
PLEASE ATTACH PRE-ADVANCE/WALK-THRU CALL SHEET
Event: Nat'l League of Families
Date: July 24, 1992
OFFICE OF PRESIDENTIAL ADVANCE
IN-TOWN EVENT CONTACT SHEET
Name
Office
Phone Number
Presidential Advance Office
456-7565
Presidential Advance Fax Number
456-2820
WH-Advance Lead
703/998-7656
Steve Edcowling Ross
703/756-6257(0)
WH Advance Pusslead
646-4003
Kis Goodwin
The WH Advance
4007 456-7565
ANN Mills GRIFFI 7HS LEAGUE EX, DR.
775-8076 PRES. 1100 STE
Pm 1104 #
MARY BACKLEY DIR. OF GIS/PRESS LEAGUE 223-6846(i) 255-941 (FAX)
MARY DZAUGIS
OFFICE MANAGER LEAGUE (202)223-6846 (0)
Kathleen MacMillan
Stouffer Hotel- Convention Services (703)418-6800
Ellen Toups
STOUFFER HOTEL-
703-418-6800
Alle Mincy
WH-Advance
456-7565
RICHARD HULSE
STOVFFER HOTEL
703-418-6817
Katemoran Kate moran
WH. Political Affairs
202.456.7730
EDWALTERS
WH SPEECHWRITING
(202) 456-7750
Rob Griffitts
WH Public Liaison
202-456-7845
Kurl
Stouffer Hotel
7037418-6800
LIENEL Hough
STOUFFER HCTE/
703-418-6800
RAYMOND F. MORGAN
STUTFFER HUOTS
703 418-6800
ORLANDO A. OROCHENA
USSS-TSP
202-395-4004
DICK RATHMELL
usss -
202-395-4112
PAUL Sims
usss
202/435-5100
PedroT White
usss
202 436-5100
JAMES KOLLAR
usss
202-435-5100
JEFF HILDRETH
WHCA AV
202-395-4220
Helen PEnnington
WHCA
202-757-5587
Wallace NiBlack
WHCA
202-757-5514
WALAKE
ORLADO Ron
Steve Ross 641-4003
ANNIE JUHN
Ann Mills Griffiths
league Ex.Dir
Families arrive Wed, Thurs - mil. Mary Backley - ops
Meeting convenes 9am
223-6846
Traublemakes - only those registered for full league participation
9.m. :30 BOD photo of w/ POTUS (9+1)
9:35 remarks
George Brooks? FOPOTUS
Ann comes on w/ him
Sue Scott WB
Helen
Christina
Prompter? (Not impost)
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MEETING ROOM CAPACITIES
Dimensions
Dimensions
Meeting Room/
(Width X Length
Square
Meeting Room/
(Width X Length
Square
Room Reference Number
X Height)
Footage
Room Reference Number
X Height)
Footage
Admiralty Ballroom
70' X 95' X 12'
6,550
James
25' X 37' X 12'
925
Decatur
70' X 30' X 12'
2,000
Potomac
25' X 37' X 12'
925
Farragut
70' X 36' X 12'
2.520
Charleston I
23' X 26' X 10'
598
Dewey
70' X 29' X 12'
2,030
Charleston II
18' X 26' X 10'
470
Dewey I
29' X 23' X 12'
670
Mount Vernon
17' X 27' X 8'
408
Dewey Il
29' X 23' X 12'
670
Monticello
17' X 24' X 8'
408
Dewey III
29' X 23' X 12'
670
Williamsburg
17' X 24' X 8'
408
Chesapeake Hall
100' X 37' X 12'
3,700
Jamestown
17' X 25' X 8'
425
Roanoke
25' X 37' X 12'
925
Boardroom 110
19' X 25' X 8'
475
Rappahannock
25' X 37' X 12'
925
Meeting Suites (4)
16' X 25' X 8'
400
TO HAYES BUILDING
ONDINE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
DEWEY I
ADMIRALTY BALLROOM
DECATUR
DEWEY II
FARRAGUT
DEWEY III
PLAZA LEVEL
ELEVATOR
MT. VERNON
GIFT SHOP
FRONT DESK
CHARLESTON
MONTICELLO
Il
ROANOKE
WILLIAMSBURG
JAMESTOWN
RAPPAHANNOCK
PLAZA LEVEL
CHESAPEAKE HALL
FIRST FLOOR
JAMES
POTOMAC
LOBBY LEVEL
WASHINGTON, D.C.
STOUFFER
CONCOURSE HOTEL
Minutes from Washington's Historic Sites
270
Capital Beltway
27
STOUFFER
Dakimore
CONCOURSE
Geo
495
Potomac
16th Ave
HOTEL
River
Smithsonian
295
Ariington
George
Institution
Notil
town
White House
Cemetery
Glebe Rd
U.S. Capitol
Capital Beltway
Rd
495
Arlington
Crystal City
295
Pentagon
Washington
Not
Clark St
395
Airport
1
Old Town Alexandria-
Jeff Davis Hwy
Address
Dining and Entertainment
2399 Jefferson Davis Highway
The Ondine restaurant features American cuisine and is open
Arlington, Virginia 22202
for breakfast 6:30AM-11AM, lunch 11AM-2PM, dinner
703/418-6800
5:30PM-11PM and special brunch on Sunday. The Ondine
Fax: 703/418-3763
Lounge offers a lighter menu and entertainment nightly except
Sunday; open 11AM-1:30AM. Clark's lobby bar features a
Transportation to Hotel
special ambience. 24-hour Room Service available.
Washington's Metrorail station nearby. One-half mile, three
Location
minutes from Washington National Airport; Complimentary
shuttle service to and from Washington National Airport. Taxi
Airport hotel located in Crystal City, adjacent to Washington
available.
National Airport, ten minutes from the government and busi-
ness centers of the Capitol. Located on N/S Highway 1 (Jeffer-
Guestroom Information
son Davis Highway), five miles east of N/S I-395, near George
Washington Parkway.
Number of Rooms: 386
Suites/Parlors: 7
General Meeting Facilities Overview
Number of Floors: 12
Modern 12-story high-rise with three full-service Club Floors.
All rooms are soundproof with climate control, color TV with
complimentary HBO, CNN, ESPN and The Disney Channel,
Portable walls provide a total of 20 meeting rooms
radio and direct-dial phone with message alert. Hospitality
Over 15,000 sq.-ft. of function space
suites have wet bar and refrigerator. Complimentary coffee and
Admiralty Ballroom with reception capacity of 700
newspaper with wake-up call. Turn-down service in the eve-
Highly flexible meeting space featuring five boardrooms
2 ballrooms
ning upon request.
4 meeting suites
Recreational Facilities
Indoor swimming pool, saunas, sundeck, exercise room and
game room.
Guest Services and Shops
Notes
Sundries shop. Director of guest services provides tour and
local information. Complimentary shuttle service to the Penta-
gon City Mall featuring Macy's and Norstrom's. Complimen-
tary shoeshine. Staff fluency: Arabic, French, German,
Spanish. Valet and indoor self-service parking for 350 cars.
SERVICE HALLWAY
DEWEY
FARRAGUT
DECATUR
drape
0:00000
000000
8'
8'
General Session: : Diagram # 2 #2 (Revised)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (150 sect)
rope stantions
White House Press
5'
(190 seats)
National League of Families
Friday July 24 - Saturday , July 25
(140 sents)
5'
40'
WRITTEN PRESS
8
6'
PRESS
6'
ADMIRALTY BALLROOM
Inaugural Address
January 20, 1989
Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. President, Vice
blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom
President Quayle, Senator Mitchell, Speaker
seems reborn. For in man's heart, if not in
Wright, Senator Dole, Congressman Michel,
fact, the day of the dictator is over. The
and fellow citizens, neighbors, and friends:
totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas
There is a man here who has earned a
blown away like leaves from an ancient,
lasting place in our hearts and in our histo-
lifeless tree. A new breeze is blowing, and a
ry. President Reagan, on behalf of our
nation refreshed by freedom stands ready
nation, I thank you for the wonderful things
to push on. There is new ground to be
that you have done for America.
broken and new action to be taken. There
I've just repeated word for word the oath
are times when the future seems thick as a
taken by George Washington 200 years ago,
fog; you sit and wait, hoping the mists will
and the Bible on which I placed my hand is
lift and reveal the right path. But this is a
the Bible on which he placed his. It is right
time when the future seems a door you can
that the memory of Washington be with us
walk right through into a room called to-
today not only because this is our bicenten-
morrow.
nial inauguration but because Washington
Great nations of the world are moving
remains the Father of our Country. And he
toward democracy through the door to
would, I think, be gladdened by this day;
freedom. Men and women of the world
for today is the concrete expression of a
move toward free markets through the door
stunning fact: our continuity, these 200
to prosperity. The people of the world agi-
years, since our government began.
tate for free expression and free thought
We meet on democracy's front porch. A
through the door to the moral and intellec-
good place to talk as neighbors and as
tual satisfactions that only liberty allows.
friends. For this is a day when our nation is
We know what works: Freedom works.
made whole, when our differences, for a
We know what's right: Freedom is right.
moment, are suspended. And my first act as
We know how to secure a more just and
President is a prayer. I ask you to bow your
prosperous life for man on Earth: through
heads.
free markets, free speech, free elections,
Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and
and the exercise of free will unhampered
thank You for Your love. Accept our thanks
by the state.
for the peace that yields this day and the
For the first time in this century, for the
shared faith that makes its continuance
first time in perhaps all history, man does
likely. Make us strong to do Your work, will-
not have to invent a system by which to
ing to heed and hear Your will, and write
live. We don't have to talk late into the
on our hearts these words: "Use power to
night about which form of government is
help people." For we are given power not
better. We don't have to wrest justice from
to advance our own purposes, nor to make
the kings. We only have to summon it from
a great show in the world, nor a name.
within ourselves. We must act on what we
There is but one just use of power, and it is
know. I take as my guide the hope of a
to serve people. Help us remember, Lord.
saint: In crucial things, unity; in important
Amen.
things, diversity; in all things, generosity.
I come before you and assume the Presi-
America today is a proud, free nation,
dency at a moment rich with promise. We
decent and civil, a place we cannot help
live in a peaceful, prosperous time, but we
but love. We know in our hearts, not loudly
can make it better. For a new breeze is
and proudly but as a simple fact, that this
1
Jan. 20 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
country has meaning beyond what we see,
We have more will than wallet, but will is
and that our strength is a force for good.
what we need. We will make the hard
But have we changed as a nation even in
choices, looking at what we have and per-
our time? Are we enthralled with material
haps allocating it differently, making our
things, less appreciative of the nobility of
decisions based on honest need and prudent
work and sacrifice?
safety. And then we will do the wisest thing
My friends, we are not the sum of our
of all. We will turn to the only resource we
possessions. They are not the measure of
have that in times of need always grows:
our lives. In our hearts we know what mat-
the goodness and the courage of the Ameri-
ters. We cannot hope only to leave our chil-
can people.
dren a bigger car, a bigger bank account.
And I am speaking of a new engagement
We must hope to give them a sense of what
in the lives of others, a new activism, hands-
it means to be a loyal friend; a loving
on and involved, that gets the job done. We
parent; a citizen who leaves his home, his
must bring in the generations, harnessing
neighborhood, and town better than he
the unused talent of the elderly and the
found it. And what do we want the men
unfocused energy of the young. For not
and women who work with us to say when
only leadership is passed from generation to
we're no longer there? That we were more
generation but so is stewardship. And the
driven to succeed than anyone around us?
generation born after the Second World
Or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had
gotten better and stayed a moment there to
War has come of age.
trade a word of friendship?
I have spoken of a Thousand Points of
No President, no government can teach
Light, of all the community organizations
us to remember what is best in what we
that are spread like stars throughout the
are. But if the man you have chosen to lead
Nation, doing good. We will work hand in
this government can help make a differ-
hand, encouraging, sometimes leading,
ence; if he can celebrate the quieter,
sometimes being led, rewarding. We will
deeper successes that are made not of gold
work on this in the White House, in the
and silk but of better hearts and finer souls;
Cabinet agencies. I will go to the people
if he can do these things, then he must.
and the programs that are the brighter
America is never wholly herself unless
points of light, and I'll ask every member of
she is engaged in high moral principle. We
my government to become involved. The
as a people have such a purpose today. It is
old ideas are new again because they're not
to make kinder the face of the Nation and
old, they are timeless: duty, sacrifice, com-
gentler the face of the world. My friends,
mitment, and a patriotism that finds its ex-
we have work to do. There are the home-
pression in taking part and pitching in.
less, lost and roaming. There are the chil-
We need a new engagement, too, be-
dren who have nothing, no love and no
tween the Executive and the Congress. The
normalcy. There are those who cannot free
challenges before us will be thrashed out
themselves of enslavement to whatever ad-
with the House and the Senate. And we
diction-drugs, welfare, the demoralization
must bring the Federal budget into balance.
that rules the slums. There is crime to be
And we must ensure that America stands
conquered, the rough crime of the streets.
before the world united, strong, at peace,
There are young women to be helped who
and fiscally sound. But of course things may
are about to become mothers of children
be difficult. We need to compromise; we've
they can't care for and might not love.
had dissension. We need harmony; we've
They need our care, our guidance, and our
had a chorus of discordant voices.
education, though we bless them for choos-
For Congress, too, has changed in our
ing life.
time. There has grown a certain divisive-
The old solution, the old way, was to
ness. We have seen the hard looks and
think that public money alone could end
heard the statements in which not each
these problems. But we have learned that
other's ideas are challenged but each
that is not so. And in any case, our funds
other's motives. And our great parties have
are low. We have a deficit to bring down.
too often been far apart and untrusting of
2
Administration of George Bush, 1989 / Jan. 20
wallet, but will is
each other. It's been this way since Viet-
hope and strength over experience. But
make the hard
nam. That war cleaves us still. But, friends,
hope is good, and so is strength and vigi-
we have and per-
that war began in earnest a quarter of a
lance.
ntly, making our
century ago, and surely the statute of limi-
Here today are tens of thousands of our
need and prudent
tation has been reached. This is a fact: The
citizens who feel the understandable satis-
lo the wisest thing
final lesson of Vietnam is that no great
faction of those who have taken part in de-
only resource we
nation can long afford to be sundered by a
mocracy and seen their hopes fulfilled. But
ed always grows:
memory. A new breeze is blowing, and the
my thoughts have been turning the past
age of the Ameri-
old bipartisanship must be made new again.
few days to those who would be watching
To my friends, and, yes, I do mean
at home, to an older fellow who will throw
new engagement
friends-in the loyal opposition and, yes, I
a salute by himself when the flag goes by
W activism, hands-
mean loyal-I put out my hand. I am put-
and the woman who will tell her sons the
the job done. We
ting out my hand to you, Mr. Speaker. I am
words of the battle hymns. I don't mean
ations, harnessing
putting out my hand to you, Mr. Majority
this to be sentimental. I mean that on days
elderly and the
Leader. For this is the thing: This is the age
like this we remember that we are all part
of the offered hand. And we can't turn back
young. For not
of a continuum, inescapably connected by
clocks, and I don't want to. But when our
rom generation to
the ties that bind.
fathers were young, Mr. Speaker, our differ-
ardship. And the
Our children are watching in schools
ences ended at the water's edge. And we
e Second World
throughout our great land. And to them I
don't wish to turn back time, but when our
say, Thank you for watching democracy's
mothers were young, Mr. Majority Leader,
ousand Points of
big day. For democracy belongs to us all,
the Congress and the Executive were capa-
nity organizations
and freedom is like a beautiful kite that can
ble of working together to produce a
throughout the
go higher and higher with the breeze. And
budget on which this nation could live. Let
vill work hand in
us negotiate soon and hard. But in the end,
to all I say, No matter what your circum-
netimes leading,
let us produce. The American people await
stances or where you are, you are part of
varding. We will
action. They didn't send us here to bicker.
this day, you are part of the life of our great
te House, in the
nation.
They ask us to rise above the merely parti-
go to the people
san. "In crucial things, unity"-and this, my
A President is neither prince nor pope,
are the brighter
friends, is crucial.
and I don't seek a window on men's souls.
every member of
To the world, too, we offer new engage-
In fact, I yearn for a greater tolerance, and
ne involved. The
ment and a renewed vow: We will stay
easygoingness about each other's attitudes
cause they're not
strong to protect the peace. The offered
and way of life.
y, sacrifice, com-
hand is a reluctant fist; once made-strong,
There are few clear areas in which we as
that finds its ex-
and can be used with great effect. There
a society must rise up united and express
pitching in.
are today Americans who are held against
our intolerance. The most obvious now is
gement, too, be-
their will in foreign lands and Americans
drugs. And when that first cocaine was
he Congress. The
who are unaccounted for. Assistance can be
smuggled in on a ship, it may as well have
be thrashed out
shown here and will be long remembered.
been a deadly bacteria, so much has it hurt
Senate. And we
Good will begets good will. Good faith can
the body, the soul of our country. And
dget into balance.
be a spiral that endlessly moves on.
there is much to be done and to be said,
t America stands
Great nations like great men must keep
but take my word for it: This scourge will
strong, at peace,
their word. When America says something,
stop!
ourse things may
America means it, whether a treaty or an
And so, there is much to do. And tomor-
mpromise; we've
agreement or a vow made on marble steps.
row the work begins. And I do not mistrust
harmony; we've
We will always try to speak clearly, for
the future. I do not fear what is ahead. For
voices.
candor is a compliment; but subtlety, too, is
our problems are large, but our heart is
changed in our
good and has its place. While keeping our
larger. Our challenges are great, but our
certain divisive-
alliances and friendships around the world
will is greater. And if our flaws are endless,
hard looks and
strong, ever strong, we will continue the
God's love is truly boundless.
which not each
new closeness with the Soviet Union, con-
Some see leadership as high drama and
nged but each
sistent both with our security and with
the sound of trumpets calling, and some-
reat parties have
progress. One might say that our new rela-
times it is that. But I see history as a book
and untrusting of
tionship in part reflects the triumph of
with many pages, and each day we fill a
3
Jan. 20 / Administration of George Bush, 1989
page with acts of hopefulness and meaning.
Note: The President spoke at 12:05 p.m. at
The new breeze blows, a page turns, the
the West Front of the Capitol. Prior to his
story unfolds. And so, today a chapter
address, the oath of office was administered
begins, a small and stately story of unity,
by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. The
diversity, and generosity-shared, and writ-
address was broadcast live on radio and
ten, together.
television.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless
the United States of America.
Remarks to White House Visitors
January 21, 1989
The President. Good morning, everybody.
this first day that we welcome as many as
[Applause] Thank you. Thank you all very
we can. I have a little hiatus in the middle
much. Let me just say that I know some of
because I do have to go over to this build-
you have been up all night long. And so,
ing. I'm sure most of you recognize that as
what we want to do is not delay this but
the West Wing, and then the office you see
take whoever is first. And I gather that's
in the corner is the President's Oval Office.
been sorted out by whoever got first in line
And I have to go sign one or two things and
into the-
at least start to work over there, and then I
Visitors. No!
will come back. Barbara will be here-some
The President. Not quite?
of our kids inside. But we just wanted to
Visitors. No!
wish you well and welcome you to the peo-
ple's house.
The President. Okay, so there's some in-
Thank you all very, very much. Thank
justice out there. [Laughter]
you. We'll scoot on in.
Visitor. We love you, George! I love you!
The President. No, but this is the people's
Note: The President spoke at 8:05 a.m. at
house, and it just seemed appropriate on
the Executive Entrance of the White House.
Question-and-Answer Session With Reporters
January 21, 1989
The President. Good morning, Helen
looking good. Ate two pancakes-what
[Helen Thomas, United Press International].
you'd call a rapid recovery.
First Day as President
Q. Which one was ill, sir?
The President. Ellie, Doro's daughter, the
Q. How are you? How does it feel to be
Thousand Points of Light kid that ran across
President?
in the commercial. No, but it's so exciting
The President. It feels just fine-setting in
over there and just a joy to have the family
now, after the glamour and excitement of
all there. They'll start leaving. We have a
the inauguration. It's a great joy to have my
luncheon today with 240.
mother here, the leader of our family, a
Mrs. Bush. Oh, really?
great joy to have our ten kids over there
The President. Yes, 240-family.
last night. One got sick, so I had the duty at
Mrs. Bush. Oh, my Lord!
about 6 a.m. this morning. Ellie LeBlond-
Q. Are you responsible for all that? Are
pumped a half a Tylenol into her, and she's
you responsible for 240?
4
JUL-17-92 FRI 18:04
NSC
02
Sue, Ann, members of the board, family members and friends and
also my old friend, your Chairman Emeritus, and one of the first
Vietnam veterans, only this time it was with me during World 9 War
you, my family could have been in your situation.
II, Mr. George Brooks. As you know from my previous times. 09 with
Let me begin by thanking you for the opportunity to speak again to
one of the bravest and most dedicated groups of Americans in this
country.
Over the past 20 years, you have seen the issue of your missing
relatives swept up in international or domestic politics,
manipulated by foreign governments and exploited by con men. You
have suffered through interminable periods of lack of attention by
your own government and distortions by the media.
Through all of this, you simply asked for good faith -- an honest
priority effort to resolve your uncertainty.
When I assumed the Vice Presidency under President Reagan in 1981,
the Administration knew we needed help. We set out to meet you
and ask your advice. And, you gave us good advice.
You were right; the effort was dying. People in government who
cared had no backing, but they were laboring and hoping for
support, as were you. Since that time, have we ever seen changes!
If we can recall those earlier days, no policy-level negotiations
had been held with Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia on POW/MIA for several
years. Despite fears from the right that negotiating with Vietnam
implied recognition, and from the left that the POW/MIA issue was
a false one, we took your advice and entered high level
negotiations.
JUL-17-92 FRI
Despite a string of official statements, Presidential commissions
and Congressional committees indicating that they felt Vietnam had
done all it could do, we again followed your advice and rejected
those conclusions.
Despite efforts in the previous administration to shut down our
intelligence priorities and minimize technical dialogue, we
followed your advice and raised intelligence priorities and tripled
manpower and resources across the board.
Despite an international perception that the issue was resolved,
we again took your advice and energized an active diplomatic
effort, enlisting the help of our friends, especially those in
ASEAN, to urge Vietnamese cooperation, and raised the issue at the
highest levels of both the Soviet and Chinese governments.
In my first speech to you in 1985, I discussed many of our
initiatives, and our hopes, with you. It was soon after I spoke
with you that Vietnam indicated its desire to cooperate fully and
pledged to resolve the issue within two years.
We all were hopeful, as we saw unilateral Vietnamese actions
increase, and you began to receive answers. Sadly for us all,
Vietnam backed away from their agreements and halted cooperation.
Though discouraged, we picked ourselves up again, appointed General
Jack Vessey as a Special Presidential Emissary to Hanoi and re-
energized our efforts. Through hard work and your strong support,
Vietnam once again agreed to expand cooperation. Our hopes rose
as answers we had sought together for SO long began, once again,
to come to our shores and to you, the families.
In my inaugural address as President, I said that "goodwill begets
goodwill," and in the spirit of that statement, we developed a
detailed roadmap for Vietnam that addresses our objectives, as well
as their long-term desires in terms of diplomatic and economic
relations with the United States. In that roadmap, it is clear
that without the actions on POW/MIA we outlined as necessary, we
cannot move forward with Hanoi.
It is no secret to you that for many years, significant lobbying
has taken place in opposition to our policy. It emanates from
those with the desire to heal the wounds of war, regardless of
whether you have answers, by U.S. commercial interests which worry
that U.S. business will suffer, by some in the Congress, and by
those same tired voices of the 1970's who said that this is a false
issue.
legitimate concerns
OW businesspeople bring to this issue,
Although we can sympathize with some of the concerns they bring,]
I want to reaffirm my original pledge to you today. Your fervent
quest must take priority. As long as I am President, we will
adhere to the roadmap; we will not move forward with Vietnam until
they provide us the answers we seek.
In response to Vietnamese pledges of greater cooperation, to
include field operations, we again greatly increased manpower in
the past two years. Although we have seen an unprecedented level
of joint investigations that have brought us some information,
these activities have not provided the concrete results we seek -
many that scsults can only be provided by the Vietnamese who have yet to
make the necessary decision to do so.
want
and
expand
While we intend to continue, our joint efforts, I want to that pledge to
you that they will not be a substitute for results which end your
uncertainty. That can only happen with the return of a living
American, his remains, or convincing evidence through records. and
on-site investigation as to why either is not possible.
Vietuan
I publicly ask Vietnam today to accelerate unilateral activities
to resolve the discrepancies and open their/archives to us. I, in
turn, pledge to them that we will adhere to our word as embodied
in the reciprocal steps in our roadmap.
By contrast, in Laos, our joint field operations have produced
definitive answers, but the process remains slow and cumbersome.
While recognizing that most of our men unaccounted for in Laos were
lost in areas under Vietnamese control, Laos can and should do more
to resolve discrepancy cases, accelerate approvals, and be more
flexible in our joint endeavors.
Our relations with Laos have grown from wary distrust in the early
1980's to a broader, more open relationship. We cannot let this
momentum wane, and I address the Lao leaders when I say our
relationship can grow further, and will, if they provide the
cooperation we now seek.
Our years of attempting to seek cooperation from Cambodia and the
Soviets were not rewarded until recently. The UN-sponsored
settlement in Cambodia and the welcome political changes in the
former Soviet Union have provided us unprecedented access thus far.
But without the national priority on accounting for our POW/MIAs
over the past decade, those political changes would have come and
gone without consideration of our need for answers.
and
Domestically, media reports or political statements have purported
to unearth great new revelations of fact -- which you have known
for 20 years, and we have discussed with you for a decade. The
recent "discoveries" of some have been published in official fact
sheets and briefed to countless groups, and we still face the same
facts.
Though it's less for your knowledge, I will repeat them now,
and maybe in today's environment, some will pay more attention:
-- There are Americans who did not return home at the end of
hostilities and were last known to be alive in captivity.
Well known to you as some of our discrepancy cases, accounting
for these Americans has been and is our highest priority.
--
Vietnam can easily resolve most of these cases; from just our
before
own information, we have determined that Vietnam can resolve
these and hundreds more, unilaterally.
And although we do not yet have proof that any Americans are
now alive, we will continue to operate on that assumption
until concrete answers are forthcoming.
These are not revelations to you, nor to Hanoi; but, they are being
portrayed by some as new or previously unknown facts, ignoring that
they have been seriously addressed by policy initiatives from 1981,
to this very moment.
Public attention to this recent spate of attention has led to a new
round of charges of coverup, conspiracy, misinterpretation of
official policy and calls to disgorge intelligence files,
negotiations and family information.
I pledge today that our long-standing policy of full disclosure to
you of all information that pertains or may pertain to your
relatives will continue. We will continue to cooperate fully with
Congressional committees to provide the access they require to
fulfill their important oversight role.
However, I also pledge to you that despite criticism that may come
our way, we will stand for principle. We will not publicly release
information that would jeopardize our ongoing intelligence efforts
or negotiations to account for your missing loved ones, America's
missing heroes.
We cannot allow temporary or unfounded public clamor to destroy our
serious efforts. Our critics can read what they wish later;
meanwhile, we have a job to do.
During your meeting, you will hear from Secretary Baker's and
Secretary Cheney's representatives, our military personnel
responsible for on-the-ground operations, as well as service
casualty officers. I encourage you to ask questions, discuss your
concerns in an open way, so they can better understand both your
hopes and your frustrations. They all have my full support in
their tough jobs, and they need yours.
It is especially helpful to our newly assigned personnel to learn
the history of the issue from your perspective. You have the most
to gain, or lose, from our efforts. If our communication or
implementation in response to your expectations has been slow or
insensitive, it is not due to the lack of caring. Thus, keep
telling us how we can improve, and we will continue to respond
The process
and
heart it this to see
They all are tasked to find the answers you seek, and in doing so,
great dedication is demanded is not without its share of
disappointments. We have, unfortunately, seen more false
reporting, even scam operations, which that required significant
manpower and resources to resolve. We share your disappointment
in the outcome and strongly condemn those who would exploit this
issue for personal gain.
dished hopes if families
Nevertheless, we are determined not to allow such incidents to
discourage us or turn us into cynics. We will continue to pursue
and openly receive information from all sources. We will continue
to treat each report seriously through diligent follow-up.
pain stating
Our efforts since 1981 have ended the uncertainty of 241 families.
It is my fervent desire that all of you who possibly can will
receive concrete answers. I am determined, as your President, to
continue our priority efforts to that end.
this
ledeavor
In order for us to succeed, we need your continued counsel, advice
and support. I also call on all Americans, regardless of politics
or profession, to unite with us in that quest. In doing so, we
send a strong signal of our determination to the governments in
Indochina. We will not compromise on our goals. Final healing can
only come when the answers we seek are forthcoming from the
governments which that hold them.
Before I close, I want to also publicly recognize something the
League has done, which you did not set out to do, but which has
changed us all. Your steadfast purpose and determination to obtain
answers has spread to the entire world. In the future, those
missing from any war, under any political circumstance, have
entered the dialogue of the world's nations.
More importantly, at home, your quest has energized our people to
look at past wars in Korea and World War II. And, I wanted you to
know from me, your spirit was in our meetings before, during and
after Desert Storm, to ensure that we, as a govenrment, would not
allow the war to end until we were satisfied that all brave
Americans who fought, and their families, were accounted for. That
is a lasting legacy of which you can be proud.
Thank you again for having me with you. God bless you and God
bless our America.