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6/6/76 - Remarks at the National Awards Dinner of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Cleveland, OH (Includes draft)
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The original documents are located in Box 34, "6/6/76 - Remarks at the National Awards
Dinner of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Cleveland, OH (Includes draft)"
of the President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 34 of President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
REMARKS AT DINNER OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS, CLEVELAND, OHIO
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1976
-1-
I AM HONORED, ONCE AGAIN, TO ADDRESS THE
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS AND TO BE WITH YOU
WHO MAKE BROTHERHOOD MORE THAN A PHRASE
-2-
YOU HAVE TONIGHT GIVEN YOUR HUMAN RELATIONS
AWARD TO MY DEAR FRIEND, FRANCES BOLTON
I HAD THE
PLEASURE TO SERVE IN THE CONGRESS WITH FRANCES FOR 20 YEARS
AND KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HOW MUCH SHE CONTRIBUTED
TO HUMAN RELATIONS AS WELL AS TO OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS AND
TO THE BETTERMENT OF HUMANITY.
-3-
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU HAVE MADE A WOMAN
THE SOLE RECIPIENT OF YOUR AWARD
FRANCES BOLTON LIBERATED
HERSELF LONG BEFORE THE AGE OF WOMEN'S LIBERATION
SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE ELECTED TO THE CONGRESS FROM
OHIO; THE FIRST WOMAN MEMBER OF THE CONGRESS TO HEAD AN
OFFICIAL MISSION ABROAD; THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE APPOINTED
A CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE TO THE UNITED NATIONS;
-4-
AND PERHAPS THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE CONGRESS, OF
EITHER SEX, WHO RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICA AND
THE MIDDLE EAST IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
-5-
JUST AS THE CONFERENCE OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS
RECOGNIZES THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF PEOPLE OF ALL RELIGIONS
AND RACES, FRANCES BOLTON VERY EARLY UNDERSTOOD THE
GROWING INTERDEPENDENCE OF ALL COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES
OF THE WORLD
-6-
FRANCES BOLTON NOT ONLY ADVOCATED EQUAL RIGHTS
FOR WOMEN BUT DEMONSTRATED THROUGH HER LIFE'S WORK
THE VITAL CONTRIBUTION BEING MADE BY DEDICATED AND GIFTED
AMERICAN WOMEN.
-7-
I COMMEND THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CHRISTIANS
AND JEWS FOR ITS WORK
AMERICANS MAY DIFFER OVER SOLUTIONS
TO COMPLICATED HUMAN PROBLEMS
BUT VERY FEW WILL DIFFER
OVER OUR DEDICATION TO THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN
UNDER THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD
-8-
WE MUST CONTINUE TO ASSERT THE HIGHEST MORAL AND
SPIRITUAL VALUES AT HOME, AS WELL AS IN OUR RELATIONS WITH
ALL OTHER COUNTRIES
-9-
YOU HAVE DONE MUCH TO FOSTER PEACE, HARMONY
AND UNDERSTANDING, RECOGNIZING THAT THE FATE OF EVERY GROUP
RELATES TO THE FATE OF EVERY OTHER GROUP
CLERGYMEN
OF ALL FAITHS GUIDE US TO SEE EVERY INDIVIDUAL AS A CREATURE
OF GOD
IN OUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, EVERY DAY MUST BE
BROTHERHOOD DAY
-10-
AMERICA HAS NO PLACE FOR THOSE WHO WOULD SET
BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER, GROUP AGAINST GROUP, COUNTRY
AGAINST COUNTRY
AMERICA DID NOT RISE TO THE HEIGHTS
WE HAVE ACHIEVED BY CATER ING TO FEAR AND PREJUDICE.
WE SUCCEEDED THROUGH COURAGE, DECENCY, COMMON SENSE --
AND THE COMPELLING KNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE EYES
OF THE SUPREME CREATOR
-11-
AMERICA'S FOREIGN POLICY HAS EVOLVED THROUGH THE
RECOGNITION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO FREEDOM AND JUSTICE,
TO SELF-DETERMINATION FOR ALL PEOPLES, AND THE DUTY OF THE
STRONG TOWARDS THE WEAK, THE PROSPEROUS TOWARDS THE POOR
-12-
WE CANNOT POLICE EVERY REMOTE CORNER OF THE EARTH
NOR FILL EVERY EMPTY BOWL
BUT WE CAN BE AN IMMENSE
INFLUENCE FOR GOOD, FOR JUSTICE, FOR REASON AND FOR PEACE
IN THE WORLD
THROUGH THE YEARS, WE SOMETIMES BECAME
DISILLUSIONED
WE MADE SOME MISTAKES
-13-
BUT WE NEVER ABANDONED JEFFERSON'S RESPECT FOR THE OPINIONS
OF MANKIND, NOR LINCOLN'S FAITH THAT RIGHT MAKES MIGHT,
NOR EISENHOWER'S VIEW THAT FREEDOM IS INDIVISIBLE
OUR FOREIGN POLICY TODAY REFLECTS THE PRINCIPLES THAT UNITE US
AND MAKE US THE HOPE OF FREEDOM FOR OTHERS
-14-
WE CONTINUE TO HONOR THE PRACTICAL COUNSEL
OF GEORGE WASHINGTON THAT THE BEST WAY TO PRESERVE PEACE
IS THROUGH STRENGTH.
-15-
MANY OF US RETURNED FROM WORLD WAR TWO DETERMINED
TO BUILD A LASTING PEACE
WE WERE CONVINCED THIS COULD
ONLY BE ACHIEVED IF THE UNITED STATES ASSUMED ITS FULL
RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP IN THE WORLD
WE CONSIDERED
THAT A VERY SMALL PRICE COMPARED TO THE SACRIFICES SOME OF
OUR COMRADES MADE IN THE LAST GLOBAL CONFLICT
-16-
I FIRST RAN FOR THE CONGRESS IN 1948
ADVOCATING STRENGTH, DETERMINATION AND RESPONSIBILITY IN
RESPONSE TO THE COMMUNIST CHALLENGE.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
WISELY CHOSE TO HELP REBUILD WESTERN EUROPE AND JAPAN FROM
THE WAR
FROM THIS EFFORT GREW THE FIRM ALLIANCES WE
ENJOY TODAY WITH GREAT INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES®
-16a-
I WAS AN EARLY ADVOCATE OF A BI-PARTISAN
FOREIGN POLICY
THAT REMAINS MY POSITION TODAY
-17-
UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY MUST NEVER BE MADE
BY AN ELITE ESTABLISHMENT NOR RESPOND TO THE FEARS OF A
FRUSTRATED FEW
IT MUST REFLECT THE REAL PURPOSES OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE AND FOLLOW OUR FINEST INSTINCTS
-18-
TODAY WE ARE WINNING IN THE STRUGGLE FOR A SAFE
AND PEACEFUL WORLD
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE DAWN
OF THE ATOMIC AGE, THE UNITED STATES AND THE SOVIET UNION
ARE CLOSE TO COMPLETING AN AGREEMENT LIMITING THE STRATEGIC
THERMONUCLEAR ARMS RACE
-18a-
THE TWO SIDES AGREED LAST MONTH TO PERMIT ON-SITE OBSERVERS
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE
WITH TREATIES LIMITING PEACEFUL NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
-19-
AT VLADIVOSTOK, FOR THE FIRST TIME,
GENERAL SECRETARY BREZHNEV AND I AGREED TO EQUAL NUMBERS
OF MISSILE LAUNCHERS AND BOMBERS FOR THE SOVIET UNION
AND THE UNITED STATES
THE SOVIETS HAD HELD OUT FOR YEARS
ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEIR DEFENSE NEEDS REQUIRED
THAT THEY HAVE MORE THAN OUR COUNTRY
-20-
FURTHERMORE, THE EQUAL NUMBERS WE AGREED UPON
WOULD REQUIRE THE SOVIETS TO DESTROY SOME OF THEIR EXISTING
STRATEGIC SYSTEMS WHILE ALLOWING THE UNITED STATES TO COMPLETE
OUR PRESENT PROGRAMS.
THAT WAS A GOOD DEAL FOR THE UNITED STATES AND
I AM PROUD OF IT!
-21-
IT IS A PRESIDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO HANDLE
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SUPERPOWERS IN A CONSTRUCTIVE
WAY
IT IS A PRESIDENT'S DUTY TO SEEK TO PREVENT A RUNAWAY
THERMONUCLEAR ARMS RACE AND TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A GLOBAL
HOLOCAUST
-22-
WE ARE CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS TO REDUCE
THE NATO AND WARSAW PACT FORCES THAT FACE EACH OTHER ALL
ACROSS CENTRAL EUROPE.
AMERICAN AND SO VIET GROUND
FORCES ARE POSITIONED FACE TO FACE, WITH THE CONSTANT
DANGER OF A DIRECT CONFRONTATION
-23-
PROGRESS IN THESE MUTUAL AND BALANCED REDUCTION
OF FORCES TALKS HAS BEEN SLOW, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO
SEEK AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL ENHANCE MILITARY STABILITY
IN EUROPE AT LOWER FORCE LEVELS.
-24-
WE WILL PERSEVERE IN OUR NEGOTIATIONS,
KEEPING OUR EYES OPEN AND GUARD UP
WITHIN THESE
GUIDELINES, WE WILL DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO SECURE A
DESIRABLE AGREEMENT
-25-
WHENEVER I GET A GOOD AGREEMENT FOR A SAFER
WORLD, YOU CAN BE SURE I WON'T PASS IT UP BECAUSE OF ANY
ALLEGED POLITICAL ADVANTAGE OR POLITICAL DISADVANTAGE.
TO ME, PEACE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN POLITICS
LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF TODAY'S TROUBLE SPOTS
-26-
REGRETTABLY, THE CONFLICT CONTINUES IN
?
LEBANON
THE UNITED STATES IS CONTINUING A MODEST ROLE
IN HELPING THE PARTIES END THE FIGHTING AND REACH A POLITICAL
SOLUTION
WE ARE PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS LEBANON'S INDEPENDENCE,
TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, AND NATIONAL UNITY AS AN ESSENTIAL
FACTOR IN MIDDLE EAST STABILITY®
-26A-
WE FAVOR NEITHER THE PARTITION OF LEBANON NOR MILITARY
INTERVENTION BY ANY OUTSIDE POWER
-27-
THE MIDDLE EAST REMAINS THE WORLD'S MOST
STRATEGIC DANGER ZONE
THE UNITED STATES HAS A MAJOR
INTEREST IN A JUST AND PEACEFUL SOLUTION.
IN 1973,
THE MIDDLE EAST WAR AND OIL EMBARGO DISRUPTED ECONOMIC
LIFE, COST US A HALF-MILLION JOBS, STRAINED RELATIONS WITH
OUR MAJOR ALLIES, AND BROUGHT OUR COUNTRY CLOSE TO
CONFRONTATION WITH THE SOVIET UNION
-28-
BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES IS TRUSTED BY BOTH
SIDES MY ADMINISTRATION WAS ABLE TO BRING ABOUT
NEGOTIATIONS THAT RESULTED IN AGREEMENTS MOVING THE REGION
TOWARD A COMPREHENS IVE PEACE
-29-
LAST SEPTEMBER'S SINAI AGREEMENT BETWEEN EGYPT
AND ISRAEL DEMONSTRATED THE NEW POTENTIAL FOR PEACE.
I HAVE MET WITH MANY OF THE LEADERS OF THESE AND OTHER
MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES TO EXPLORE AVENUES FOR FURTHER
PROGRESS.
-30-
AMERICANS CAN TAKE PRIDE IN HELPING THE PEOPLES
OF THE MIDDLE EAST ACHIEVE STEPS TOWARD A GOAL THAT WOULD
HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE A FEW YEARS AGO
WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE SURVIVAL AND SECURITY
OF ISRAEL
THE COMMITMENT IS BASED UPON BASIC MORALITY
AS WELL AS AMERICA'S ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST
AMERICA IS
STILL THE REAL HOPE FOR FREEDOM THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
-31-
THE HOLY LAND, SO SACRED TO THREE MAJOR FAITHS, MUST
FIND THE LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING ENVISIONED THERE FOR
ALL HUMANITY
so MUST EVERY OTHER LAND
-32-
1, AND FIVE PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS, AN
OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE HAVE SUPPORTED OUR TRADITIONAL AND SPECIAL
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STATE OF ISRAEL
BOTH THE UNITED STATES
AND ISRAEL ARE A HAVEN FOR PEOPLE FLEEING PERSECUTION.
-33-
BOTH FIND THEIR VITALITY IN THEIR FREE STATUS AS SELF-GOVERNING
DEMOCRACIES -- DIFFERENTIATING THEM FROM MOST OTHER
COUNTRIES IN TODAY'S WORLD
-34-
AMERICA MUST AND WILL PURSUE FRIENDSHIP
WITH ALL PEOPLES
BUT THIS WILL NEVER BE DONE AT THE EXPENSE
OF ISRAEL
IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, IT IS THE PARTIES
TO THE DISPUTE WHO MUST MAKE THE PEACE AND LIVE WITH IT
THE UNITED STATES WILL REMAIN THE ULTIMATE GUARANTOR
OF ISRAEL'S FREEDOM
-35-
OUR FOREIGN POLICY REQUIRES NOT ONLY DETERMINATION
TO HELP RESOLVE REGIONAL TENS IONS, / NOT ONLY CONSTRUCTIVE
RELATIONS WITH THE COMMUNIST WORLD BUT -- FIRST AND
FOREMOST, / OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR ALLIES, / THE GREAT
INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES OF WESTERN EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA,
AND JAPAN. / ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE BALANCE OF POWER
AS WELL AS TO THE WORLD'S ECONOMY.
-35a-
THIS IS WHY I WILL MEET THIS MONTH WITH THE LEADERS OF SIX
MAJOR ALLIED NATIONS IN PUERTO RICO
WE WILL CONTINUE
THE CONSULTATIONS THAT BEGAN LAST YEAR AT RAMBOUILLET
-36-
WHEN I BECAME YOUR PRESIDENT 22 MONTHS AGO,
I PROMISED ALL NATIONS, FRIEND AND FOE ALIKE, AN UNINTERRUPTED
AND SINCERE SEARCH FOR PEACE.
I WILL NEITHER RETREAT
NOR MARK TIME NOR SHORTEN MY STRIDE IN CONTINUING THAT
SEARCH.
-37-
WE REMEMBER PRESIDENT EISENHOWER SAYING THAT
ONLY THE BRAVE ARE STRONG AND ONLY THE STRONG ARE FREE
WE ALSO REMEMBER PRESIDENT KENNEDY INSISTING THAT WE MUST
NEVER NEGOTIATE FROM FEAR, BUT WE MUST NEVER FEAR TO
NEGOTIATE
-38-
WHENEVER THE UNITED STATES HAS SERIOUS
DISAGREEMENTS WITH OTHER SOVEREIGN NATIONS, WE HAVE REALLY
ONLY TWO CHOICES -- TO FIGHT OR TO TALK
THE RATTLING
OF SABERS AND BOMBASTIC ORATORY ARE OUT OF DATE IN TODAY'S
WORLD
-39-
I WILL MAKE NO THREATS
I
CANNOT CARRY OUT
NOR WILL I IRRESPONSIBLY COMMIT OUR TROOPS ANYWHERE
I WILL TAKE THE PATH OF PEACEFUL PERSUASION AND NEGOTIATION
AS LONG AS IT IS OPEN, WHETHER WE ARE DEALING WITH
SUPERPOWERS OR SMALL COUNTRIES
-40-
AS PRESIDENT, I AM DETERMINED TO PREVENT
WARS, NOT START THEM
MY GOAL IS PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IN CENTRAL
AMERICA AS WELL AS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.
-41-
I INTEND TO GO ON DOING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR AMERICA AND
WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ALL MANKIND
TODAY WE COMMEMORATE THE 32nd ANNIVERSARY
OF D-DAY
AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY HAS AVERTED WORLD
WAR III.
WE ARE AT PEACE
THERE ARE NO AMERICANS
FIGHTING ON ANY BATTLEFIELD TONIGHT
-42-
IN TODAY'S WORLD, THERE IS MORE CONTACT
AMONG PEOPLES AND MORE COMMUNICATION AMONG GOVERNMENTS,
A GREATER EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURE
THAN EVER BEFORE IN HUMAN HISTORY.
-43-
THE UNITED STATES IS LEADING WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC
RECOVERY
WE ARE PLEASED THAT OUR POLICIES ARE WORKING
AND THAT THE LEVEL OF ECONOMIC WELL-BEING IS TODAY RISING
ALMOST EVERYWHERE
-44-
MY ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO GO ON WORKING
FOR A BETTER WORLD
WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REASON
TO FEAR OUR ADVERSARIES AS LONG AS WE REMAIN STRONG
AND TRUE TO OUR PRINCIPLES
OUR SYSTEM HAS PROVEN
ITS SUPERIORITY IN EVERY WAY
WE MUST NEVER ABANDON
OUR VISION OR OUR SPIRITUAL VALUES
-45-
YOUR WORK REINFORCES MY FAITH IN THE FUTURE
OF ALL HUMANITY
I AM PROUD TO BE YOUR PRESIDENT
AND TO SHARE THIS EVENING WITH YOU
-46-
LET US HEED THE OLD TESTAMENT'S 34th PSALM
WHICH URGES HUMANITY TO "SEEK PEACE, AND PURSUE IT."
IN THE WORDS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, "LET US THEREFORE
FOLLOW AFTER THE THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR PEACE."
AS WE MUST NEVER LOSE OUR VIGILANCE, NEITHER MUST
WE EVER LOSE OUR VISION
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
END OF TEXT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Susan -
After checking I found out that this
was an early draft that was later
worked into the Speech on Conference
of Christians & Jews 6/6/76 ---
I think they should stay together.
Trudy
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS ON FOREIGN POLICY
I'm here today to talk about what is right about America
and its foreign policy. I'm here to discuss with you the
real issues
that America faces in the world in its third
century.
As I said in my first State of the Union message in
January 1975:
"At no time in our peacetime history has the
state of the Nation depended more heavily on
the state of the world. And seldom, if ever,
has the state of the world depended more
heavily on the state of our Nation. "
I spoke then at a time of trouble -- a time of division among
Americans, of economic recession and energy shortage, of
constitutional crisis and national self-doubt: Now we are in the
- 2 -
midst of gathering recovery - -- in our unity, in our economy,
in our self-confidence. Yet it has become increasingly obvious
that the interconnection between peace, prosperity, and justice
in the United States, and in the world, is a permanent fact of
this
international relations. On / shrinking planet, our self-interest
and our ideals compel us to use our vast power to help shape the
world's future. This will be our responsibility for as far ahead
as we can see.
In my travels across the country, I have found that the
American people know that
we cannot have security for ourselves without an effective American
contribution to the global balance of power. They know that
America cannot remain prosperous, and spread prosperity to
more Americans, in a world which is deeply divided by confrontations
- 3 -
between rich and poor, producers and consumers, free-
market economies and centrally-planned economies. They
know that America cannot continue to exist as a just society
by turning its eyes away from injustice elsewhere in the
world.
The American people are ready to do their share.
They are tired of the abusive denigration of this
country and the running down of our strengths that has poisoned
the political debate. The American people know that this is a
strong country and that this is a good country.
And in my meetings with world leaders, I have found
that they are getting the message. Today our allies and friends
- 4 -
are strengthening their faith in our commitments; our
potential adversaries should have no doubt about the risks
of adventurism.
The American role in the world must be one that
defends and advances American interests and values, but is
sensitive to those of others; that maintains a balance between
our commitments and the strength and will to carry them out.
We have unmatched assets to do our job.
The foundation for our world role is American military
strength. Throughout my career I have been a champion of
a strong defense, which is essential to our own security and
to international stability. At the same time, for the first time
in a generation we are at peace. No American soldier is fighting
on any battlefield anywhere in the world. And we are engaged in
realistic negotiations with potential adversaries to reduce the
- 5 -
dangers of future confrontations and wars.
As a nation, we have pulled our economy back onto the
road of prosperity and stable growth. Nothing else we do has
such benefit not only for every American family but for millions
of families around the world whose economic health depends in
large measure on the vigor of the world economy.
Finally, we are at peace not only with others but with
ourselves. In overcoming the doubts and dissension of the past,
we are regaining our position as a vital moral force in the world.
Now, as much as ever, America is a beacon of hope to all who yearn
for freedom, well being and justice. America cannot police
every remote corner of the earth nor fill every empty bowl. But
if we are strong and proud, we can be an immense influence for
- 6 -
good, for justice, for reason, and for peace in the world.
Our Partners, The Industrial Democracies
America is strong and secure, not only because of our
military and economic power, but also because of our alliances
with the great industrial democracies of Western Europe, Canada,
and Japan.
These alliances have never been stronger or
more united than they are today. We have made major improve-
ments in coordinating our collective defense, modernizing our
forces and standardizing our weaponry. Our political consultation
is closer than ever; it is based on a sense of shared responsibility
and equality. Our unity is reflected in closely coordinated positions
in negotiations with the East -- and in the whole new realm of
economic challenges.
- 7 -
Most of the industrial democracies, like ourselves, are
recovering from recession and inflation. This achievement has
been vastly strengthened by making sure that our national policies
are parallel and reinforce each other. In coordination we have
dealt with the oil crisis; we have begun to reshape our financial
institutions to the new global conditions; and we are embarked on
common approaches to economic relations with the Communist
countries and the developing world. This was the purpose of the
Summit meeting at Rambouillet last November, and
it is the purpose of the follow-up meeting I have convened in
Puerto Rico later this month. These meetings ensure close
consultation among the major allies on both political and economic
questions. There could be no greater symbol of the solidarity of
the free industrial countries in a new period.
- 8 -
The real strength of the industrial democracies lies
not so much in our power, but in our shared commitment to
democracy, freedom and justice. Most of our friends and allies
have passed through the same period of domestic testing that we
have.
Our solidarity gives us all confidence, and
the health of democracy in all of Europe, and in all the world, is
enhanced by the demonstrated vigor of the great democracies.
This is one of America's foremost responsibilities.
Negotiation With The Communist Countries
The free world nations have in recent years moved
forward in coordinated efforts to reduce tensions with our Com-
munist adversaries. We begin this on the basis of our own unity
and strength. But we value strength not for its own sake but for
peace. We have this strength in full measure. We also have the
maturity and self-confidence to seek a more secure and reliable
relationship between East and West for the long-term future.
- 9 -
I believe it is a President's responsibility to manage the
relationship batween the superpowers in a realistic and con-
structive way. I believe it is a President's duty to seek to prevent
a runaway nuclear arms race and to reduce the danger of nuclear
holocaust.
We must resist, if challenged. We must make clear that
adverturism cannot succeed and that restraint is the only rational
course. We must maintain the balance of power, but we must seek to buil
on it a more stable relationship.
In face-to-face meetings with General Secretary Brezhnev
I laid the groundwork for an agreement which would place an equal
ceiling on the strategic arms competition and pave the way for
reductions. Last month I signed the treaty controlling peaceful
nuclear explosions, which provided for on-site inspection in the
- 10 -
Soviet Union for the first time since the dawn of the nuclear
age. These agreements are in the interest of America, the Soviet
entire
Union,
, and i the/world.
I will not hesitate
to submit a good agreement to the Congress and the people
regardless of any alleged political advantage or disadvantage.
I will do it because it is right.
We are also seeking improved economic relations with
the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, not only to enhance our
own prosperity, but to break down the barriers of their isolation
and to develop a mutual stake in peaceful relations. The five-
year grain agreement which we signed last December with the
Soviet Union is an excellent example of how we further our own
interests through hard bargaining, while at the same time creat-
ing incentives for the Soviets to cooperate responsibly in the
- 11 -
international economic order. Now, there can be no repetition
radically
of the 1972 grain deal, which/inflated prices
for
American consumers.
Finally, we continue the pursuit of justice in our relation-
ships with the communist nations. We seek justice, not only in
our relations with them, but within their societies. We cannot
ignore either the deprivation of human rights in totalitarian
societies, or the unreasonable limitation on the rights of whole
nations to pursue their own interests. We accept no spheres
of influence. And we confidently take up the challenge of
ideological competition.
It is our free societies that are the beacon of hope to all
those deprived of their basic human rights. We will continue
to press for the right of emigration -- not by bluster but by
diplomacy that produces results.
- 12 -
Asia
Our relations with the nations of Asia and the Pacific are
of special historical concern to Americans. I visited Asia last
December to underline the special importance of this region to
our interests and the importance of America to the region. Three
times in the last generation, American boys fought and died in
Asian wars. If we can build more durable international relation-
ships in Asia, we can prevent this from happening again.
Our traditional friendship with Japan has been reinforced
in recent years and has never been more solid. We have establish-
ed a permanent friendship which is a vital pillar of our foreign
policy.
We have established a new and growing relationship with
China after a generation of mutual isolation. Chinese-American
- 13 -
friendship is an historic new fact on the international scene. It is
a valued relationship, and an important contribution to peace in
Asia and the world.
- 14 -
International Peace and Stability
America has played an indispensable role in helping to ease
tensions around the world in many areas of conflict. Since Teddy
Roosevelt, it has been an American tradition. We do this not out of
charity, but because of our own self-interest in a more stable and just
world. Let me mention two crucial issues of today.
The road to peace in the Middle East is long and difficult, but
we have made remarkable
strides in the last two years. The American people can be tremendously
proud of what our efforts have helped to accomplish.
We have an important stake in seeing a just and peaceful
negotiated solution to this bitter conflict. In 1973 the Middle East
war and oil crisis disrupted economic life, cost Americans half a million
jobs, strained our relations with major allies, and brought us close
to confrontation with the Soviet Union.
- 15 -
We are engaged in the Middle East because of our permanent
moral commitment to the survival and security of the State of Israel.
In honoring this commitment we honor our own heritage, and our
commitment to freedom itself. Israel is a sister democracy, a
steadfast friend, and a determined defender of its own freedom.
America also has significant and growing friendships with the
moderate nations of the Arab world. Many of them are long-standing
friends.
friends of the United States; some are new friends but nonetheless important /
Statesmanship on the part of both Arab and Israeli has brought
us to an unprecedented and hopeful stage on the road to peace. As
President of the United States, I will pursue this path, because it is
right for all concerned.
The tragic conflict in Lebanon illustrates how volatile the region
is. The United States will continue its careful role of helping the parties
end the fighting and reach a political solution. We are providing
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humanitarian assistance, in the American tradition. We strongly
support Lebanon's independence, territorial integrity and national
unity, as an essential factor in Middle East stability.
Southern Africa is another area of recent crisis. The
short-sighted decision of the Congress to block simple financial
assistance to local forces fighting Soviet arms and Cuban troops
in Angola posed a serious threat of further adventurism, radicalism
and bloodshed in Africa. Despite warnings of possible politial
risks at home, I sent Secretary Kissinger to Africa to arrest this
trend, to assert America's interest in stability and racial peace
in Africa. He declared America's policy -- favoring racial
justice, representative rule, negotiated settlements, the
freedom of Africa to solve Africa's problems without
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military interference, and the world's interest in seeing Africa
share in the world's economic prosperity.
This American policy was warmly welcomed. It
has helped gain precious time for peaceful solutions. I consider
it one of our most important initiatives.
The Industrial and the Developing Worlds
The problems of Africa related to one of the world's major
i ssues -- relations between the more affluent nations of the northern
hemisphere and the poorer nations of the southern hemisphere.
The United States and the other industrial democracies,
who have the principal responsibility for the economic system, seek to have
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the new developing nations participate constructively in it. We
have the skills and resources that are needed for economic
development. It is a striking sign of our success that the
Communist countries have proven themselves irrelevant to
the needs of development. It is the free economies that are
productive and dynamic enough to maintain international
leadership on all these issues -- food, trade, commodities,
energy, and monetary problems. This will be a major topic
of discussion among us at the Puerto Rico Summit.
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We will not be pressured or blackmailed; we will not accept unrealistic
proposals that satisfy the claims of rhetoric rather than people; and
we expect our own views to be seriously considered. We insist that
the problems of the new nations not be exploited by others. We offer
all nations the opportunity to join with us in international efforts to
expand world prosperity for the benefit of all.
We have many friends in the developing world -- in Africa,
in Asia, in Latin America where Secretary Kissinger will visit next
week to strengthen our cooperation. There is tremendous goodwill for
America around the world, because of the role we have played as a
force for good. And we will continue.
Challenges of the Future
our Bicentennial year we celebrate our past. But it is also a moment
In this year, our 200th year, we are conscious not only of what
to aim to the future.
we have done but also of what remains to be done. The quest for peace,
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prosperity and justice will always be unfinished. The real issues of
today are not always the issues that make headlines or attract the
attention of campaigners. What are the real issues that the country
will face over the next four years?
-- First, we are at peace; we must consolidate this peace
for ourselves and our children. We must never forget the tremendous
responsibility we bear as the world's strongest military and economic
power. What we do -- or fail to do - - can often have decisive impact.
Therefore 1 will Continue to propose defense programs to the Congress that meet
the requirements of our + defens. We can he longer offerd the trend of unthinking
(utbacks in programs reductions in expenditions on building adequate tenses.
We have the physical strength to ensure peace and global
stability. We must have the vision and courage to use that strength - --
to resist aggression, or to build a better world for our children
to inherit. we must conduct an imaginative, bold diplomacy, that
exercises creative American leadership, instead of just reacting
to events,
-- We have embarked on the road of economic recovery.
our
We must move ahead on this road, strengthening the economy, guarding
- 21 -
against inflation, and working with other nations to promote global
economic expansion. Major changes have taken place in the economic
system, with the emergence of new nations and the greater importance
of the Communist countries and their economic problems. We must
strengthen the world economy for these new conditions. These basic
issues are one of the subjects we will begin to discuss at the Puerto
1 envisage forther Economic Summits the the
future. we will reach important agriements in the
Rico Economic Summit.
Multitateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva, we will
continue discussions with our mijor partners on
monetary issues.
-- Our alliances must be relevant to the concerns of a new
era -- an era of economic issues, and an era of intensified negotiations
with adversaries. We must maintain our unity in these positive
endeavors as we maintained it in periods of threatening danger. This
means cooperation on a more equal basis among allies; and a regular
practice of close consultation.
1 will continue the practice of
mg frequent meetings with my colleagues the leaders of our
major allies in Europe, Canada, + Japan,
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-- Relations with our adversaries must be managed on a
long-term basis. The Soviet Union will not go away just from shouting
tough rhetoric at it. We have successfully maintained the balance
of power, but where do we go from here? The answer is a carefully-
planned, patient effort to negotiate solutions to problems, to try to
mold coexistence into a lasting cooperation. There will be obstacles
and disappointments. But if we believe in our own goals, we will
persevere.
-- We have embarked on the path of halting and reversing
the strategic arms spiral; we must continue with both vigilance and
perseverance until we have banned the horrors of nuclear war. I will seek
an early conclusion of this round of the SALT negotiation. I willserk
immediately thereofter to begin negotiation of reductions, and forther sound
measures
of
arms control in SALT III.
We must continue and develop our new relationship with
China. China is a major country, a great country. It is a quarter
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of mankind. No stable global peace can be built without its constructive
The United States will maintain + develop this relationship.
contribution. we will continue the process of normalization of our
relations, as pledged by both sides in the Shaughai Comminique.
-- We have taken important steps towards helping resolve
the problems of the Middle East and Southern Africa. Peaceful solutions
may be more possible now than at any moment before -- or in the future.
We must consolidate these gains now, and help build lasting relationships
of peace and prosperity in these troubled areas. Regional conflicts
can pose wider dangers. The world community cannot let them fester
The time is approaching when a major amprohensive
and effort explode. can be made for a just and lasting negotiated pesce,
We will continue America's etforts to he's resolve 18cal conflicts, whether in
Lebanon or Cyprus or elsewhere And my GVT redoubling our efforts to comber
We have opened a dialogue with the less developed
of nuclear
weapons.
we need now to deepen that process on the basis of mutual respect,
making it a fruitful vehicle for developing their economies and con-
tributing to the international economy. America will continue to offer
bold proposals in the economic dialogue with the developing countries,
as we have done Talks between producers + consumers
of energy, between rich nations + poor, will critinue,
until corporative solutions are reached to the common
challenge of progress.
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And most importantly,
- - We are regaining our self-confidence and pride at home.
^
Our role abroad should be a continuing source of pride. We must
live our ideals, so that America will find true peace, prosperity and
justice at home and thus help to realize these dreams around the world. I
intend to see that Cryress + the Executive find is cooperative way of working
toge the Thing so that them essential national policies can go forward with full national
unity "Let us heed the Old Testament's 34th Psalm, which urges us
all to "seek peace, and pursue it."
As we never cease our vigilance, let us never lost our vision
the
of what we want the world to be. That is our highest responsibility. of a
President
This 15 a program fn peace. 1 intend to make it
a reality.