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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual
collections.
Collection: President, Office of the: Presidential
Briefing Papers: Records, 1981-1989
Folder Title:06/17/1982 (Case File: 083587)
(2)
Box: 18
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at:
[email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
B
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 16, 1982
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ED ROLLINS
4k
SUBJECT:
NEW YORK - POLITICAL BRIEFING
I. SUMMARY
The New York Republican State Committee, chaired by
George Clark Jr., is holding its convention in New York City
this week to determine which candidates will be slated on
the September 14 Republican primary ballot.
There are four major Republican candidates seeking the
gubernatorial nomination. They are: Paul Curran, former U.S.
Attorney; Jim Emery, the state assembly minority leader; Lewis
Lehrman, a business executive; and, Richard Rosenbaum, the
state Republican National Committeeman. The eventual Republican
nominee will face one of two Democrats, Mayor Ed Koch or
Lieutenant Governor Mario Cuomo, in the November election.
In the race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination
to face incumbent Democrat Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan,
two major candidates are vying for slots on the primary ballot:
Muriel Siebert, a former state superintendent of banks; and,
Whitney North Seymour Jr., a former U.S. Attorney. Two other
Republicans, Jacqueline Miner and Assemblywoman Florence Sullivan,
are also active candidates for the Republican nod.
New York will lose five U.S. House seats because of
reapportionment; the greatest loss for any state in the nation.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 2
The state is still without a court-sanctioned reapportionment
plan. However, on June 21, the court will make a final
judgement, based on the Justice Department's recommendation,
on whether or not to approve the plan passed by the state
legislature last month.
II. ELECTED OFFICIALS
GOVERNOR - Hugh L. Carey - Democrat - Elected in 1974
SENATOR - Daniel Patrick Moynihan - Democrat - Elected in 1976
SENATOR - Alfonse D'Amato - Republican - Elected in 1980
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - 17 Republicans 22 Democrats
III. THE STATE LEGISLATURE
UPPER HOUSE - 35 Republicans 25 Democrats
LOWER HOUSE - 64 Republicans 86 Democrats
IV. REPUBLICAN STATE PARTY OFFICIALS
REPUBLICAN STATE CHAIRMAN - George Clark, Jr.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN - Richard Rosenbaum
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEEWOMAN - Eunice Whittlesey
V.
DISCUSSION
A. THE NEW YORK REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION - (JUNE 15-17, 1982)
The New York Republican State Convention was called to
order on Tuesday, June 15, by state party chairman, George
Clark. During the three-day convention, which is being held
at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in New York City, the state
committee's 403 members will determine which candidates
qualify for positions on the September 14 primary ballot
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 3
for the offices of U.S. Senator, Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, State Comptroller, and Attorney General.
The convention rules stipulate that candidates who
receive at least 25% of the convention vote during any
single roll call for a specific office qualify to have their
names placed on the September 14 primary ballot. And, if a
candidate is able to muster more than 50% of the committee's
vote, that person becomes the party-endorsed candidate.
On Tuesday, the opening day of the convention, the
incumbent state comptroller, Ned Regan, was endorsed by the
party without opposition. Regan had earlier in the year been
an announced candidate for the gubernatorial nomination; but,
in March he withdrew from the race and decided to seek
re-election to his position as state comptroller.
On Wednesday, the convention will consider nominations
for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.
The convention will consider the U.S. Senate candidates on
Thursday, and close with a reception and banquet that evening.
In the gubernatorial race, four major candidates are
vying for positions on the primary ballot:
LEWIS LEHRMAN - a businessman who has spent $3 million
SO far on his campaign, and probably has
the greatest statewide name recognition;
JIM EMERY - the minority leader of the state assembly,
he claims to have the most convention votes;
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 4
PAUL CURRAN - a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern
District of New York, he has the support
of notable state Republicans such as
former Governor Malcolm Wilson; and,
RICHARD ROSENBAUM - New York's National Republican
Committeeman and former state
chairman, he is considered to have
the weakest support among the four
candidates.
At this point, it seems highly unlikely that any one
candidate will win the majority necessary to win the party's
endorsement. All four candidates, however, claim to have
sufficient strength to win a slot on the primary ballot.
Suffolk County Executive Peter Cohalan is the only
announced candidate for Lieutenant Governor; however, this
situation could change once the balloting for Governor has
taken place.
In the U.S. Senate Race, four candidates are also
vying for positions on the September primary ballot:
WHITNEY NORTH SEYMOUR - a former U.S. Attorney, he
claims to have the strongest
support at the convention;
MURIEL SIEBERT - a former state superintendent of
banking, and the first woman to hold
a seat on the New York Stock Exchange;
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 5
FLORENCE M. SULLIVAN - an Assemblywoman from the Bay
Ridge section of Brooklyn, she
has the support of the Right-to-
Life Party; and,
JACQUELINE MINER - a teacher from Hudson, she ran John
Connally's 1980 Presidential campaign
in New York.
Seymour, who is considered a moderate, and Siebert, who
is a vocal supporter of the President's economic policies,
are considered to be the two strongest candidates for the
nomination.
Unlike many New York Republican State Conventions in
past years, George Clark acknowledges that this will be an
"extremely open" convention, in that the state committee has
come to this convention without a general consensus on who
should be nominated for New York's major statewide offices.
NOTE: The New York Republican State Convention is in
progress as this briefing is being drafted. The
President will be informed of convention developments
as they occur.
B. THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE - 1982
Whichever one of the Republican candidates emerges
from the state convention and the September 14 primary as
the Republican gubernatorial nominee; Lehrman, Emery, Curran,
or Rosenbaum, he is likely to face an uphill battle against
the Democrat nominee.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 6
The two major Democrats in the race to succeed
incumbent Democrat Governor Hugh Carey, who decided not
to seek a third term, are Mayor Ed Koch and Lieutenant
Governor Mario Cuomo.
Mayor Koch, assisted by his high popularity in the
City, and his natural tie to Jewish voters, is considered
to be the favorite to win the Democrat nomination. A
Gannett News Service poll showed Koch running ahead of Cuomo
by 10 points. But, Cuomo, who lost the New York mayoral
primary race to Koch in 1977, cannot be dismissed, as more
and more Democrat observers are expressing the belief that
the race will be a close one. If Cuomo is able to capitalize
on Koch's inherent weakness in upstate New York, he could
still have a shot at the nomination. However, Koch has gone
to great lengths to WOO upstate voters, particularly those in
western New York where his visits have become very frequent.
A round of televised debates between the two could become
pivotal in this primary contest.
Republican observers agree that GOP chances for capturing
the governorship, at this point, are probably something less
than 50-50. However, if the right sequence of events were
to fall into place, this race could still be winnable. If
the eventual Republican nominee is also able to win the
nomination of the Conservative Party, and runs on two slates,
and the Democrat nominee fails to win the Liberal Party's
endorsement, the possibility of a Republican victory in
November would become more favorable.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 7
C. THE U.S. SENATE RACE - 1982
Incumbent Democrat Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan,
who is seeking a second term this year, was considered to
be vulnerable in early polling conducted by the Republican
Senatorial Campaign Committee.
However, events which prevented the New York Republicans
from rallying around a strong consensus candidate to take on
the Democrat incumbent have given Moynihan's campaign a
definite early advantage. Former Republican U.S. Congressman
Bruce Caputo had been the unchallenged candidate for the
Republican nomination, until he dropped out of the race after
it was disclosed that he had lied about serving in the military,
and that he had presented other, more minor, inaccuracies in
his resume.
Since Caputo's withdrawal from the race, four relatively
"unknown" candidates have entered the race for the Republican
nomination; Whitney Seymour, Muriel Siebert, Florence Sullivan,
and Jacqueline Miner.
Whichever one of these candidates emerges as the
Republican U.S. Senate nominee, he or she will lack the
organizational and financial base already enjoyed by
Moynihan's campaign. While developments in this race will
be watched with interest, it now appears that Senator
Moynihan is almost "out of reach" in his bid for a second
term in the U.S. Senate.
D. THE U.S. HOUSE RACES - 1982
New York will lose five U.S. House seats due to
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 8
reapportionment. This is the greatest loss of
Congressional representation for any state in the nation.
Because of the massive changes which must be made
in the make-up of New York's Congressional districts, the
state legislature and the courts have had a difficult time
in coming up with a redistricting plan acceptable to all
parties involved.
On May 11, 1982 the state legislature finally passed
a plan which was signed by Governor Carey. The court,
however, has not yet approved the plan. On June 21, the
Justice Department will report to the court whether or not
the "Legislative Plan" is valid. If that plan is rejected,
the court is almost certain to adopt an alternative "Master
Plan," worked out by a court appointed attorney.
The "Legislative Plan," if accepted, would force
Republican incumbents Greg Carman and Gary Lee out of their
districts, and would put Republican incumbent Ben Gilman
into a "fair-fight" district with Democrat incumbent Peter
Peyser.
On the other hand, the "Master Plan," if instituted,
would put Republican incumbents Bill Carney and John
LeBoutillier out of their districts; weaken Republican
incumbent Guy Molinari's district; force a race between
Republican incumbent Hamilton Fish and Democrat incumbent
Peter Peyser; and, push Jack Kemp more towards center-city
Buffalo, where he would face Democrat incumbent Henry Nowak.
Both plans would force a number of Democrat incumbents
into retirement.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 9
However the New York redistricting process is finally
resolved, it appears that the GOP stands a good chance of
minimizing its share of the state's five-seat loss, and
may even pick up an additional seat.
E. GEORGE CLARK, JR. - NEW YORK'S REPUBLICAN STATE CHAIRMAN
George Clark, New York's Republican State Chairman
was elected to his position in March 1981. Clark has
been a steadfast Reagan supporter for many years, and
performed "yeoman's service" during the 1980 campaign.
As state chairman, Clark, on a few occasions has been
unhappy with some decisions which were made regarding
patronage and the scheduling of events; however, he
remains one of the President's most loyal and dedicated
supporters.
VI. NEW YORK - MISCELLANEOUS
POPULATION -
17,748,000
NICKNAME -
The Empire State
STATE MOTTO - Ever Upward
C
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 16, 1982
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ED ROLLINS {R
SUBJECT:
ATTENDANCE AT RECEPTION FOR THE NEW YORK
REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION DELEGATES
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1982
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
I. PURPOSE
The President is attending this reception to show
his support for the New York Republican Party, its
statewide candidates, and for George Clark, the Republican
State Chairman.
II. BACKGROUND
The New York Republican State Convention will
conclude on Thursday evening, June 17, with a reception
and banquet. Hosted by Republican State Chairman George
Clark, the reception will be attended by New York's
403 Republican State Committee members, who were the
delegates to the convention, along with about 200 other
prominent Republicans. George Clark, who was elected
chairman in March 1981, and was a loyal Reagan supporter
in both 1976 and 1980, continues to be one of the President's
most steadfast loyalists on the statewide level.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 2
III. PARTICIPANTS
A. GUESTS
U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato
U.S. Congressman Jack Kemp
(Other members of New York's Republican Congressional
delegation are expected to attend, but are not yet
confirmed.)
George Clark, New York Republican Chairman
Jim Emery, Minority leader of the state house, and
candidate for Governor.
Richard Rosenbaum, Republican National Committeeman and
candidate for Governor
Lewis Lehrman, Candidate for Governor
Paul Curran, Candidate for Governor
Muriel Siebert - Candidate for U.S. Senate
Whitney North Seymour, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Florence Sullivan, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Jacqueline Miner, Candidate for U.S. Senate
Eunice Whittlesey, Republican National Committeewoman
B. STAFF CONTACT
Paul Russo
IV. PRESS PLAN
Open Press
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
5:55p.m. The President and Mrs. Reagan, escorted by George
Clark, arrive at reception for the New York
Republican State Convention delegates
The Georgian Ballroom
Sheraton Centre Hotel
New York, New York
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT - PAGE 3
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS CONTINUED
600 people
6:00p.m. The President is intoduced by Republican State
Chairman George Clark
6:05p.m. The President makes brief remarks
6:20p.m. The President concludes remarks and departs
D
SENATOR SAM NUNN (D-GEORGIA)
Senator Sam Nunn was born on September 8, 1938. He received
his undergraduate as well as his law degree from Emory Univer-
sity. Senator Nunn served in the Coast Guard from 1959-1960 and
in the Coast Guard Reserves from 1960-1968. He served in the
Georgia House of Representatives from 1968-1972. Senator Nunn
is also a farmer.
Nunn has served in the United States Senate since being elected
in 1972 to complete the unexpired term of the late Senator Richard
B. Russell. He faces re-election in 1984. Senator Nunn is a
member of the Armed Services Committee, the Governmental Affairs
Committee, and the Select Committee on Small Business. Nunn is
considered to be an authority in the Senate on defense issues,
particularly manpower, strategy, and weapons. Senator Nunn is
an Alternate Representative to the Special Session of the United
Nations General Assembly Devoted to Disarmament.
Senator Nunn is married to the former Colleen Ann O'Brien, and they
have two children: Mary Michelle and Samuel Brian.
SENATOR CLAIBORNE PELL (D-RHODE ISLAND)
Senator Claiborne Pell was born on November 22, 1918 in New York
City. He received degrees from Princeton University and Columbia
University. Senator Pell served in the Coast Guard as an enlisted
man prior to World War II and is now a retired captain in the Coast
Guard Reserves. He served 7 years in the United States Foreign
Service and State Department. In 1970, Senator Pell was a U.S.
delegate to the 25th General Assembly of the United Nations.
Senator Pell was elected to the Senate in 1960 and faces re-election
in 1984. He is the ranking minority member on the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, and also serves on the Labor and Human Resources
Committee and the Rules and Administration Committee. Senator Pell
is also a member of the Joint Committee on the Library. One of
Pell's primary legislative interests is education, and he was a
leader in establishing the Basic Educational Opportunity Grants,
which subsequently became known as Pell Grants. Pell also has a
strong interest in the arts and has taken a leading role in
legislation involving the UN.
Senator Pell is married to the former Nuala O'Donnell, and they
have four children: Herbert III, Christopher, Dallas, and Julia.
Senator Pell is one of six Senatorial Advisers to the Second Special
Session of the UN General Assembly on Disarmament.
SENATOR CHARLES H. PERCY (CHUCK) R-ILLINOIS
Senator Percy was born September 27, 1919 in Pensacola, Florida.
He grew up in Chicago and Winnetka, Illinois and is now a resident
of Wilmette, Illinois. Senator Percy worked his way through the
University of Chicago, receiving a bachelor's degree in economics
from there in 1941. From 1949-1961 Percy served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Bell and Howell, and Chairman of
the board of Bell and Howell from 1961-1966. He was first elected
to the United States Senate in 1966. He is presently serving in
his third term and will be up for re-election in 1984. Percy is
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and also serves
on the Committee on Governmental Affairs and the Select Committee
on Aging.
Percy was married to the former Jeanne Dickerson in 1943 and they
had three children: twin daughters Valerie (deceased) and Sharon,
and a son, Roger. Mrs. Percy died in 1947. Senator Percy married
the former Lorraine Guyer in 1950 and they have two children:
Gail and Mark.
Two issues of major concern to the Administration which are pending
before Senator Percy's Foreign Relations Committee are the
Caribbean Basin Initiative and foreign aid. Just recently,
Senator Percy was most helpful in getting his Committee to report
an acceptable resolution on arms control. He successfully
fought off attempts to include the word "freeze" in this
resolution thereby avoiding embarrassment for the Administration.
You should also be aware that Senator Percy has just returned from
Saudi Arabia, where he attended the memorial service for King Khalid
as a member of your official delegation which was headed by Vice
President Bush.
Senator Percy is one of six Senatorial Advisers to the Second Special
Session of the UN General Assembly on Disarmament.
SENATOR JOHN WARNER (R-VIRGINIA)
Senator John Warner was born on February 18, 1927. He joined the
U.S. Navy at age 17, served in the Navy from 1944-1947, and then
attended Washington and Lee University, graduating in 1949 with
a degree in engineering. Following graduation, he began law school,
but shortly thereafter volunteered for active duty in the Marine
Corps. After serving in Korea, he returned to the University of
Virginia Law School in 1952 and received his degree in 1953.
Senator Warner was in private law practice from 1954-1956 and from
1960-1969. From 1956-1960, he served as a U.S. Attorney. Senator
Warner was Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy from 1969-1972 and
Secretary of the Navy from 1972-1974. Between April 1974 and
October 1976, Warner served as the Administrator of the American
Revolution Bicentennial Administration. He is the owner and
operator of Atoka Farm (a cattle farm) in Middleburg, Virginia.
Warner was elected to the United States Senate in 1978 and will
be up for re-election in 1984. He serves on the Armed Services
Committee, and is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic and
Theater Nuclear Forces. In addition, he is a member of the
Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Rules and Admin-
istration Committee. He also serves on the Joint Committee on
Printing.
Senator Warner has three children: Mary, Virginia, and John.
Senator Warner is a Presidentially appointed Representative to
the Second Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Dis-
armament.
CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM BROOMFIELD (R-MICHIGAN)
Congressman Bill Broomfield is one of the 20 Congressional
Advisors to the United Nations General Assembly Special
Session on Disarmament. He serves as the ranking Republican
on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The Congressman
accompanied the Vice President as a part of the United States
delegation to Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the death of
King Khalid. The Congressman is the author of an arms
control resolution which provides that it is the Sense of
the Congress that the United States should seek reductions
in strategic nuclear weapons that are equal, verifiable and
stabilizing; that START negotiations should begin at the
earliest practicable date; and that negotiations in Geneva
should continue on the elimination of longer range, land-
based, intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
On April 28, the President placed a telephone call to a
re-election campaign kickoff breakfast held in Michigan
for Congressman Broomfield.
CONGRESSMAN JACK KEMP (R-NEW YORK)
Congressman Jack Kemp is an Alternate Delegate to the
United Nations General Assembly Special Session on
Disarmament. The Congressman serves as Chairman of the
House Republican Conference.
JACK KEMP
WASHINGTON OFFICE:
38TH DISTRICT, NEW YORK
2235 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
AREA CODE 202: 225-5265
COMMITTEES:
APPROPRIATIONS
Congress of the United States
DISTRICT OFFICE:
1101 FEDERAL BUILDING
SUBCOMMITTEE:
111 WEST HURON STREET
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
RANKING MEMBER
house of Representatives
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202
AREA CODE 716: 846-4123
BUDGET
Washington, D.C. 20515
Confidential
TASK FORCES ON:
NATIONAL SECURITY AND VETERANS
ECONOMIC POLICY AND PRODUCTIVITY
TAX POLICY
June 14, 1982
083458
Honorable Ronald Reagan
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
I just wanted you to know how difficult it was to vote against the
budget compromise last week. Torn between my deep personal and
political devotion to you and my gut conviction that raising taxes in
FY 1983 is wrong, I voted "nay" in the final seconds of the Latta
Amendment vote, so as not to influence anyone else's decision.
This was the most difficult vote in my 12 years in Congress, and
as I told Ken Duberstein, who is doing a magnificent job for you, part
of me hoped that you would win. But a "still, small" voice in me
opposed the tax increase at this fragile moment in our economic recovery.
It was doubly hard even to appear to be voting against our Repub-
lican leadership. Bob Michel and Trent Lott did a magnificent job for
you and our party in steering the budget through Congress. They deserve
tremendous credit for the diplomatic and leadership skills it took to
fashion a compromise among so many factions. You can be proud of their
efforts, as am I. For all of these reasons, I found it painful to
cast a vote of conscience against raising taxes and apologizing for
last year's tax cut.
As always, I remain your faithful friend and look forward to your
continued leadership of this nation and the free world.
Your trip to Europe was a great success and I was thrilled watching
you address the British Parliament on the need to export democratic
capitalism to the world. Ideas truly rule the world and your leadership
in the battle of ideas is what I and others worked so hard for during
the campaign. Please. be assured I look forward to being of help in
the future.
Warmest personal regards and congratulations to you and Mrs. Reagan.
Joanne and I are proud of you both.
Very sincerely yours,
Jack Kemp
Member of Congress
CONGRESSMAN CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI (D-WISCONSIN)
Congressman Clem Zablocki is one of the 20 Congressional Advisors
to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on
Disarmament. He serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee and accompanied the Vice President as a part of the
United States delegation to Saudi Arabia on the occasion of
the death of King Khalid. The Congressman is the author of
an arms control resolution calling for immediate START negotia-
tions with the objectives of preserving present limitations
and controls on nuclear weapons and delivery systems while
pursuing equitable and verifiable reductions, avoiding the
testing and deployment of new nuclear weapons, and incorporating
land-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles into START. The
Zablocki resolution will serve as the vehicle for a House arms
control resolution.
(Parvin/AB)
June 16, 1982
1:30 p.m.
BRIEF REMARKS: NEW YORK GOP CONVENTION RECEPTION
JUNE 17, 1982
I am always delighted to speak to Republican delegates. I
had a bit of luck with them back in the summer of 1980. I'll
tell you what I like about Republicans -- their optimism and
dedication. And let me say George Clark is just that kind of
Republican. I remember when everyone told us to write off New
York in 1980, George was the one that said, "Nothing doing." And
of course, you know what happened. And it will be activists like
George and you, the folks who organize and vote, who will
determine what America will be like in the years ahead. It's our
job to muster the forces of hope and show the Nation that change
is possible.
Today we're engaged in a fierce struggle with the proponents
of negativism; the advocates of "no." They offer the politics of
no new ideas, no growth, no neighborhood schools, no incentives
to work, no incentives to save, and no firm security for our
nation.
We Republicans are and must remain the proponents of "yes."
Yes, we can have a brighter tomorrow. Yes, we can make
Government work. Yes, we can solve our problems; we can have a
safe and strong America; we can live together in harmony no
matter what our race or religion. When it comes to our country,
yes is the only word we understand. Our country is built on that
word. Colonists who said, "Yes, we can seek a better world."
Pioneers who said, "Yes, we can open up the prairies and the
Page 2
frontiers. " Heroes who said, "Yes, we will defend freedom to the
very end."
In 1982, we Republicans know what we stand for, unlike many
of the Democrats. After being in Washington for a year and a
half, I've learned one thing for sure: There are two sides to
every question and the Democrats are on both. The American
people want a positive alternative, something our opponents with
all their criticism have yet to offer.
We have an important job ahead of us. Getting our message
across will not be easy, but we do have tremendous advantages.
In spite of everything you hear, the issues are with us. They're
with us because we are trying to solve the problems facing this
Nation. And on November 2, if we get our story across, the
voters will confirm the mandate they gave us in 1980.
Remember, after the national political debate gets under
way, it's the other party that will have to make some stark
admissions to the American people. It's the liberal leadership
of the other party who refused any meaningful cut in spending.
It's the liberal leadership who wanted to take away the people's
tax cut. It's the liberal leadership who tried to protect every
lord and fiefdom in the Federal bureaucracy.
We Republicans offer the American people what Franklin
Roosevelt offered them in the 1930's -- hope --- the hope of
setting things right once again, the hope of a new answer, the
hope of making America great again. That is the formula for
re-election. We can set things right. We do have new answers.
Page 3
And with Republicans like you here today, we are closer than ever
to attaining those goals for America.
(Rohrabacher/AB)
June 16, 1982
2:15 p.m.
REMARKS AT SECRETARY GENERAL'S LUNCHEON/RETURN TOAST
JUNE 17, 1982
Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President and honored guests:
It is a privilege for me to be with you today because it
provides an opportunity to express this country's continued
commitment to the principles on which the United Nations was
founded, some 37 years ago. This body was born out of the
brutality and chaos of a terrible war -- a war that had engulfed
the planet with a ferocity of destruction as mankind had never
known.
My longevity has given me a perspective on the founding of
the United Nations that was useful in the preparation of the
remarks that I made today. I remember the U.N.'s first days, and
our hopes at the time that this would be a forum for all of
mankind, replacing armed conflict with debate. We hoped that,
when necessary, it could do what had to be done to prevent
aggression. Yesterday, Mr. Secretary General, you presided over
a convocation honoring the centenary of a great American leader,
Franklin Roosevelt. I recall the inspiration of his declaration,
with Winston Churchill, of the Four Freedoms -- at a time when
the freedom-loving people of the world were sorely in need of
inspiration. In a very real way this, an institution dedicated
to peace, was his dream. I can assure you today, however
imperfect the reality may be, Americans still dream that dream.
Much has happened in these last 37 years. Our countrymen
can be proud that, from the first day, the U.N. has had from the
United States the utmost moral, political and financial support.
Page 2
I should point out that, even in a time of domestic economic
retrenchment, American financial support has not declined.
This institution has not become the panacea for all
mankind's problems as some expected; nevertheless, it has been
and can be a force for great good. While it has not solved every
problem or prevented every conflict, there have been shining
accomplishments. More than a few are alive and live decently
because of this institution. Perhaps now, we have a more mature
view of the United Nations. While recognizing its limitations,
we do not overlook its real potential -- the opportunities,
opportunities that, for the sake of humanity, we cannot afford to
waste. We welcome and support, for example, the sincere and
personal efforts made by the Secretary General to prevent,
contain and resolve the conflicts in the South Atlantic, in
Lebanon and in Iran and Iraq. You may be new to your job,
Mr. Secretary General, but your vigor and commitment during this
trying time have impressed all those who love peace.
As President of the United States, the preservation of peace
is a mandate second only to the preservation of my country's
freedom and independence. With the destructive power of today's
weapons, keeping the peace is not just a goal, it is a sacred
obligation.
But maintaining peace requires more than sincerity and
idealism, more than optimism and good will. As you know well,
peace is a product of hard, strenuous labor by those dedicated to
its preservation. It requires realism, not wishful thinking.
Page 3
For our part, we take the issue of arms control and
disarmament -- the purpose of this special session -- seriously.
My presence here today and the tangible proposals we've made for
nuclear and conventional arms reduction should underline our
dedication to making this a safer and more peaceful world. To
this end, we seek to reestablish a balance and an actual
reduction of strategic weapons.
An unpleasant reality, but true nonetheless, is the fact
that many words must be spoken before progress between nations
can be made. So let us get on with the words. Yet it has been
said that through their deeds you shall know men. So let us get
on with the deeds of peace as well.
Today I offer you this toast, Mister Secretary General, to
you and this institution and to the deeds of peace.
(Maseng/AB)
June 16, 1982
3:00 p.m.
REMARKS TO THE UNITED STATES MISSION STAFF
JUNE 17, 1982
Good morning. Ambassador Kirkpatrick and members of the
U.S. Mission staff, it is a pleasure to have this opportunity to
meet with you today and thank you for all your hard work. I just
wish I had the time to greet each one of you personally. Each of
you is a special representative of the United States. In your
work and daily lives, you symbolize for the world the values,
ideals and goodwill of the American people. We are very proud to
have you represent us.
Your work here, of course, serves two goals: You represent
America's interests, but you also are peacemakers, easing the
tensions and securing the rule of law in the world. But those
two goals are really the same, because the United States believes
that it is only in a peaceful world -- one in which there is
respect for individual, human rights -- that we can prosper. I
can sympathize, however, with the frustrations you encounter.
Dag Hammarskjold used to tell a story about ancient Chinese
peacemakers -- followers of the philosopher Sung Tzu, some 350
years B.C. I think you'll recognize their trials:
'Constantly rebuffed but never discouraged, they went
round from State to State helping people to settle
their differences, arguing against wanton attack and
pleading for the suppression of arms, that the age in
which they lived might be saved from its state of
continual war. To this end they interviewed princes
and lectured the common people, nowhere meeting with
any great success, but obstinately persisting in their
task, till kings and commoners alike grew weary of
listening to them. Yet undeterred they continued to
force themselves on people's attention.'
Page 2
The former Secretary-General would end his tale by saying
that the original storyteller tempered his pessimism with a mild
sense of humor and a strong sense of proportion in seeing his own
time in the long perspective of history.
Your jobs are certainly not easy. Everyday you confront
delicate and complicated tasks. But remember, although it may
sometimes seem that no one is listening -- that the peacemakers
are not making much progress -- through your efforts and those of
your colleagues, mankind has one of its first real chances to
live together in peace with the universal recognition of human
rights.
Thank you, again, for all you are doing, and keep up the
good work.
(MASENG/BE/NSC/AB)
JUNE 17, 1982
11:00 A.M.
NEW YORK, N.Y.
PRESIDENT'S BACKUP COPY
ADDRESS TO THE SPECIAL SESSION ON DISARMAMENT II OF THE
UNITED NATIONS
I SPEAK TODAY AS BOTH A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED
STATES AND OF THE WORLD, I COME WITH THE HEARTFELT
WISHES OF MY PEOPLE FOR PEACE, BEARING HONEST
PROPOSALS, AND LOOKING FOR GENUINE PROGRESS.
DAG HAMMARSKJOLD SAID 24 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, "WE
MEET IN A TIME OF PEACE WHICH IS NO PEACE." HIS WORDS
&
ARE AS TRUE TODAY AS THEY WERE THEN. MORE THAN 100
DISPUTES HAVE DISTURBED THE PEACE AMONG NATIONS SINCE
WORLD WAR II AND TODAY, THE THREAT OF NUCLEAR DISASTER
HANGS OVER THE LIVES OF ALL OUR PEOPLES. THE BIBLE
TELLS US THERE WILL BE A TIME FOR PEACE, BUT SO FAR
THIS CENTURY, MANKIND HAS FAILED TO FIND IT.
THE UNITED NATIONS IS DEDICATED TO WORLD PEACE AND
ITS CHARTER CLEARLY PROHIBITS THE INTERNATIONAL USE OF
FORCE. YET THE TIDE OF BELLIGERENCE CONTINUES TO RISE,
THE CHARTER'S INFLUENCE HAS WEAKENED EVEN IN THE
4 YEARS SINCE THE FIRST SPECIAL SESSION ON DISARMAMENT.
WE MUST NOT ONLY CONDEMN AGGRESSION, WE MUST ENFORCE
THE DICTATES OF OUR CHARTER AND RESUME THE STRUGGLE FOR
PEACE,
HANDWRITING FILE
- 2 -
≥
THE RECORD OF HISTORY IS CLEAR, CITIZENS OF THE
UNITED STATES RESORT TO FORCE RELUCTANTLY AND ONLY WHEN
THEY MUST, OUR FOREIGN POLICY, AS PRESIDENT EISENHOWER
ONCE SAID, "IS NOT DIFFICULT TO STATE, WE ARE FOR
PEACE, FIRST, LAST AND ALWAYS, FOR VERY SIMPLE
REASONS.' WE KNOW THAT ONLY IN A PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE,
A PEACE WITH JUSTICE, ONE IN WHICH WE CAN BE CONFIDENT,
CAN AMERICA PROSPER AS WE HAVE KNOWN PROSPERITY IN THE
PAST, HE SAID.
TO THOSE WHO CHALLENGE THE TRUTH OF THOSE WORDS
LET ME POINT OUT THAT AT THE END OF WORLD WAR II, WE
WERE THE ONLY UNDAMAGED INDUSTRIAL POWER IN THE WORLD.
OUR MILITARY SUPREMACY WAS UNQUESTIONED. WE HAD
HARNESSED THE ATOM AND HAD THE ABILITY TO UNLEASH ITS
DESTRUCTIVE FORCE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. IN SHORT, WE
COULD HAVE ACHIEVED WORLD DOMINATION, BUT THAT WAS
CONTRARY TO THE CHARACTER OF OUR PEOPLE.
INSTEAD, WE WROTE A NEW CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF
MANKIND. WE USED OUR POWER AND WEALTH TO REBUILD THE
WAR-RAVAGED ECONOMIES OF THE WORLD, BOTH EAST AND WEST,
INCLUDING THOSE NATIONS WHO HAD BEEN OUR ENEMIES. WE
TOOK THE INITIATIVE IN CREATING SUCH INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS AS THIS UNITED NATIONS, WHERE LEADERS OF
GOOD WILL COULD COME TOGETHER TO BUILD BRIDGES FOR
PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
- 3 - 3
AMERICA HAS NO TERRITORIAL AMBITIONS, WE OCCUPY NO
COUNTRIES AND WE HAVE BUILT NO WALLS TO LOCK OUR PEOPLE
IN, OUR COMMITMENT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, FREEDOM AND
PEACE IS THE VERY SOUL OF AMERICA. THAT COMMITMENT IS
AS STRONG TODAY AS IT EVER WAS,
THE UNITED STATES HAS FOUGHT FOUR WARS IN MY
LIFETIME. IN EACH WE STRUGGLED TO DEFEND FREEDOM AND
DEMOCRACY. WE WERE NEVER THE AGGRESSORS. AMERICA'S
STRENGTH, AND YES, HER MILITARY POWER, HAVE BEEN A
FORCE FOR PEACE, NOT CONQUEST; FOR DEMOCRACY, NOT
DESPOTISM; FOR FREEDOM, NOT TYRANNY.
WATCHING, AS I HAVE, SUCCEEDING GENERATIONS OF
AMERICAN YOUTH BLEED THEIR LIVES ONTO FAR-FLUNG
BATTLEFIELDS TO PROTECT OUR IDEALS AND SECURE THE RULE
OF LAW, I HAVE KNOWN HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO DETER
CONFLICT. BUT SINCE COMING TO THE PRESIDENCY, THE
ENORMITY OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS OFFICE HAS MADE
MY COMMITMENT EVEN DEEPER. I BELIEVE THAT
RESPONSIBILITY IS SHARED BY ALL OF US HERE TODAY.
ON OUR RECENT TRIP TO EUROPE, MY WIFE NANCY TOLD
ME OF A BRONZE STATUE, 22 FEET HIGH, SHE SAW ON A CLIFF
ON THE COAST OF FRANCE. THE BEACH AT THE BASE OF THAT
CLIFF IS CALLED SAINT LAURENT, BUT COUNTLESS AMERICAN
FAMILY BIBLES NOTE IT AS OMAHA BEACH. THE PASTORAL
QUIET OF THAT FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE IS IN MARKED CONTRAST
TO THE BLOODY VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE THERE ON A JUNE
DAY 38 YEARS AGO WHEN THE ALLIES STORMED THE CONTINENT.
- 4 -
4
AT THE END OF JUST ONE DAY OF BATTLE, MORE THAN 10,500
AMERICANS WERE WOUNDED, MISSING OR KILLED IN WHAT
BECAME KNOWN AS THE NORMANDY LANDING,
THE STATUE ATOP THAT CLIFF IS CALLED "THE SPIRIT
OF AMERICAN YOUTH RISING FROM THE WAVES." ITS IMAGE OF
SACRIFICE IS ALMOST TOO POWERFUL TO DESCRIBE.
THE PAIN OF WAR IS STILL VIVID IN OUR NATIONAL
MEMORY, IT SENDS ME TO THIS SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS EAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE PLEA OF POPE
PAUL VI WHEN HE SPOKE IN THIS CHAMBER NEARLY 17 YEARS
AGO. "IF YOU WANT TO BE BROTHERS," HIS HOLINESS SAID,
"LET THE ARMS FALL FROM YOUR HANDS."
WE AMERICANS YEARN TO LET THEM GO,
BUT WE NEED MORE THAN MERE WORDS, MORE THAN EMPTY
PROMISES, BEFORE WE CAN PROCEED, WE LOOK AROUND THE
WORLD AND SEE RAMPANT CONFLICT AND AGGRESSION. THERE
ARE MANY SOURCES OF THIS CONFLICT -- EXPANSIONIST
AMBITIONS, LOCAL RIVALRIES, THE STRIVING TO OBTAIN
JUSTICE AND SECURITY. WE MUST ALL WORK TO RESOLVE SUCH
DISCORDS BY PEACEFUL MEANS AND TO PREVENT THEM FROM
ESCALATION.
- 5 -
5
IN THE NUCLEAR ERA, THE MAJOR POWERS BEAR A
SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO EASE THESE SOURCES OF
CONFLICT AND TO REFRAIN FROM AGGRESSION. THAT IS WHY
WE ARE SO DEEPLY CONCERNED BY SOVIET CONDUCT. SINCE
WORLD WAR II, THE RECORD OF TYRANNY HAS INCLUDED SOVIET
VIOLATION OF THE YALTA AGREEMENTS LEADING TO DOMINATION
OF EASTERN EUROPE, SYMBOLIZED BY THE BERLIN WALL -- A
GRIM, GRAY MONUMENT TO REPRESSION I VISITED JUST A WEEK
AGO. IT INCLUDES THE TAKEOVERS OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA,
HUNGARY AND AFGHANISTAN; AND THE RUTHLESS REPRESSION OF
THE PROUD PEOPLE OF POLAND. SOVIET-SPONSORED
GUERRILLAS AND TERRORISTS ARE AT WORK IN CENTRAL AND
SOUTH AMERICA, IN AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST, IN THE
CARIBBEAN AND IN EUROPE, VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS AND
UNNERVING THE WORLD WITH VIOLENCE. COMMUNIST
ATROCITIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, AFGHANISTAN AND ELSEWHERE
CONTINUE TO SHOCK THE FREE WORLD AS REFUGEES ESCAPE TO
TELL OF THEIR HORROR.
THE DECADE OF SO-CALLED DETENTE WITNESSED THE MOST
MASSIVE SOVIET BUILDUP OF MILITARY POWER IN HISTORY.
THE INCREASED THEIR DEFENSE SPENDING BY 40 PERCENT
WHILE AMERICAN DEFENSE SPENDING ACTUALLY DECLINED IN
THE SAME REAL TERMS. SOVIET AGGRESSION AND SUPPORT FOR
VIOLENCE AROUND THE WORLD HAVE ERODED THE CONFIDENCE
NEEDED FOR ARMS NEGOTIATIONS.
- 6 -
WHILE WE EXERCISED UNILATERAL RESTRAINT THEY
FORGED AHEAD AND TODAY POSSESS NUCLEAR AND CONVENTIONAL
FORCES FAR IN EXCESS OF AN ADEQUATE DETERRENT
CAPABILITY.
SOVIET OPPRESSION IS NOT LIMITED TO THE COUNTRIES
THEY INVADE, AT THE VERY TIME THE SOVIET UNION IS
TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE PEACE MOVEMENT IN THE WEST, IT
IS STIFLING A BUDDING PEACE MOVEMENT AT HOME. IN
MOSCOW, BANNERS ARE SCUTTLED, BUTTONS ARE SNATCHED AND
DEMONSTRATORS ARE ARRESTED WHEN EVEN A FEW PEOPLE DARE
TO SPEAK OUR ABOUT THEIR FEARS.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, ONE OF OUR FIRST AMBASSADORS TO
THIS BODY, REMINDED US THAT THE HIGH-SOUNDING WORDS OF
TYRANTS STAND IN BLEAK CONTRADICTION TO THEIR DEEDS.
"THEIR PROMISES," SHE SAID, "ARE IN DEEP CONTRAST TO
THEIR PERFORMANCES."
MY COUNTRYMEN LEARNED A BITTER LESSON IN THIS
CENTURY: THE SCOURGE OF TYRANNY CAN NOT BE STOPPED
WITH WORDS ALONE. SO WE HAVE EMBARKED ON AN EFFORT TO
RENEW OUR STRENGTH THAT HAD FALLEN DANGEROUSLY LOW. WE
REFUSE TO BECOME WEAKER WHILE OUR POTENTIAL ADVERSARIES
REMAIN COMMITTED TO THEIR IMPERIALIST ADVENTURES.
- 7 - 7
MY PEOPLE HAVE SENT ME HERE TODAY TO SPEAK FOR
THEM AS CITIZENS OF THE WORLD, WHICH THEY TRULY ARE,
FOR WE AMERICANS ARE DRAWN FROM EVERY NATIONALITY
REPRESENTED IN THIS CHAMBER TODAY. WE UNDERSTAND THAT
MEN AND WOMEN OF EVERY RACE AND CREED CAN AND MUST WORK
TOGETHER FOR PEACE WE STAND READY TO TAKE THE NEXT
STEPS DOWN THE ROAD OF COOPERATION THROUGH VERIFIABLE
ARMS REDUCTION, AGREEMENTS ON ARMS CONTROL AND
DISARMAMENT CAN BE USEFUL IN REINFORCING PEACE; BUT
THEY ARE NOT MAGIC. WE SHOULD NOT CONFUSE THE SIGNING
OF AGREEMENTS WITH THE SOLVING OF PROBLEMS, i SIMPLY
COLLECTING AGREEMENTS WILL NOT BRING PEACE. AGREEMENTS
GENUINELY REINFORCE PEACE ONLY WHEN THEY ARE KEPT.
OTHERWISE WE ARE BUILDING A PAPER CASTLE THAT WILL BE
BLOWN AWAY BY THE WINDS OF WAR. LET ME REPEAT, WE NEED
DEEDS, NOT WORDS, TO CONVINCE US OF SOVIET SINCERITY,
SHOULD THEY CHOOSE TO JOIN US ON THIS PATH,
SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR II, THE UNITED STATES
HAS BEEN THE LEADER IN SERIOUS DISARMAMENT AND ARMS
CONTROL PROPOSALS.
--
IN 1946, IN WHAT BECAME KNOWN AS THE BARUCH PLAN,
THE UNITED STATES SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL FOR CONTROL
OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND NUCLEAR ENERGY BY AN
INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITY. THE SOVIETS REJECTED
THIS PLAN.
- 8 -
8
IN 1955, PRESIDENT EISENHOWER MADE HIS "OPEN
SKIES" PROPOSAL, UNDER WHICH THE UNITED STATES AND
THE SOVIET UNION WOULD HAVE EXCHANGED BLUEPRINTS
OF MILITARY ESTABLISHMENTS AND PROVIDED FOR AERIAL
RECONNAISSANCE. THE SOVIETS REJECTED THIS PLAN.
--
IN 1963, THE LIMITED TEST BAN TREATY CAME INTO
FORCE. THIS TREATY ENDED NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTING
IN THE ATMOSPHERE, OUTER SPACE, OR UNDERWATER BY
PARTICIPATING NATIONS,
--
IN 1970 THE TREATY ON THE MON-PROLIFERATION OF
NUCLEAR WEAPONS TOOK EFFECT. THE UNITED STATES
PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS KEY EFFORT TO PREVENT
THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES AND TO PROVIDE
FOR INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARDS ON CIVIL NUCLEAR
ACTIVITIES. MY COUNTRY REMAINS DEEPLY COMMITTED
TO THOSE OBJECTIVES TODAY, AND TO STRENGTHENING
THE NON-PROLIFERATION FRAMEWORK. THIS IS
ESSENTIAL TO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY.
IN THE EARLY 1970's, AGAIN AT U.S. URGING,
AGREEMENTS WERE REACHED BETWEEN THE U.S. AND THE
U.S.S.R. PROVIDING FOR CEILINGS ON SOME
CATEGORIES OF WEAPONS. THEY COULD HAVE BEEN MORE
MEANINGFUL IF SOVIET ACTIONS HAD SHOWN RESTRAINT
AND COMMITMENT TO STABILITY AT LOWER LEVELS OF
FORCE.
- 9 - 9
THE UNITED NATIONS DESIGNATED THE 1970's AS THE
FIRST DISARMAMENT DECADE, BUT GOOD INTENTIONS WERE NOT
ENOUGH, IN REALITY, THAT 10-YEAR PERIOD INCLUDED AN
UNPRECEDENTED BUILDUP IN MILITARY WEAPONS AND THE
FLARING OF AGGRESSION AND USE OF FORCE IN ALMOST EVER
REGION OF THE WORLD. WE ARE NOW IN THE SECOND
DISARMAMENT DECADE. THE TASK AT HAND IS TO ASSURE
CIVILIZED BEHAVIOR AMONG NATIONS; TO UNITE BEHIND AN
AGENDA FOR PEACE.
OVER THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, THE UNITED STATES HAS
PUT FORWARD A BROAD-BASED COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF
PROPOSALS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF WAR. WE HAVE PROPOSED
FOUR MAJOR POINTS AS AN AGENDA FOR PEACE:
-- ELIMINATION OF LAND-BASED INTERMEDIATE RANGE
MISSILES;
-- A ONE-THIRD REDUCTION IN STRATEGIC BALLISTIC
MISSILE WARHEADS;
-- A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN N.A.T.O. AND WARSAW
PACT GROUND AND AIR FORCES, AND
:
NEW SAFEGUARDS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ACCIDENTAL
WAR.
WE URGE THE SOVIET UNION TODAY TO JOIN WITH US IN
THIS QUEST. WE MUST ACT NOT FOR OURSELVES ALONE, BUT
FOR ALL MANKIND.
- 10 -
ON NOVEMBER 18 OF LAST YEAR, I ANNOUNCED UNITED
STATES OBJECTIVES IN ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS: THEY
MUST BE EQUITABLE AND MILITARILY SIGNIFICANT, THEY MUST
STABILIZE FORCES AT LOWER LEVELS AND THEY MUST BE
VERIFIABLE.
THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES HAVE MADE
SPECIFIC, REASONABLE AND EQUITABLE PROPOSALS.
IN FEBRUARY, OUR NEGOTIATING TEAM IN GENEVA
OFFERED THE SOVIET UNION A DRAFT TREATY ON INTERMEDIATE
RANGE NUCLEAR FORCES. WE OFFERED TO CANCEL DEPLOYMENT
OF OUR PERSHING II BALLISTIC MISSILES AND
GROUND-LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILES, IN EXCHANGE FOR SOVIET
ELIMINATION OF THE SS-20, SS-4, AND SS-5 MISSILES.
THIS PROPOSAL WOULD ELIMINATE WITH ONE STROKE THOSE
SYSTEMS ABOUT WHICH BOTH SIDES HAVE EXPRESSED THE
GREATEST CONCERN.
THE UNITED STATES IS ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO
BEGINNING NEGOTIATIONS ON STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTIONS
WITH THE SOVIET UNION IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. WE WILL
WORK HARD TO MAKE THESE TALKS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REAL
PROGRESS IN OUR QUEST FOR PEACE.
ON MAY 9, I ANNOUNCED A PHASED APPROACH TO THE
REDUCTION OF STRATEGIC ARMS. IN A FIRST PHASE, THE
NUMBER OF BALLISTIC MISSILE WARHEADS ON EACH SIDE WOULD
BE REDUCED TO ABOUT 5,000. NO MORE THAN HALF THE
REMAINING WARHEADS WOULD BE ON LAND-BASED MISSILES.
ALL BALLISTIC MISSILES WOULD BE REDUCED TO AN EQUAL
LEVEL AT ABOUT ONE-HALF THE CURRENT U.S. NUMBER,
- 11 -
11
IN THE SECOND PHASE, WE WOULD REDUCE EACH SIDE'S
OVERALL DESTRUCTIVE POWER TO EQUAL LEVELS, INCLUDING A
MUTUAL CEILING ON BALLISTIC MISSILE THROW-WEIGHT BELOW
THE CURRENT U.S. LEVEL, WE ARE ALSO PREPARED TO
DISCUSS OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE STRATEGIC BALANCE.
BEFORE I RETURNED FROM EUROPE LAST WEEK, I MET IN
BONN WITH THE LEADERS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY
ORGANIZATION. WE AGREED TO INTRODUCE A MAJOR NEW
WESTERN INITIATIVE FOR THE VIENNA NEGOTIATIONS ON
MUTUAL BALANCED FORCE REDUCTIONS. OUR APPROACH CALLS
FOR COMMON COLLECTIVE CEILINGS FOR BOTH N.A.T.O. AND
THE WARSAW TREATY ORGANIZATION. AFTER 7 YEARS, THERE
WOULD BE A TOTAL OF 700,000 GROUND FORCES AND 900,000
GROUND AND AIR FORCE PERSONNEL COMBINED. IT ALSO
INCLUDES A PACKAGE OF ASSOCIATED MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE
COOPERATION AND VERIFY COMPLIANCE.
WE URGE THE SOVIET UNION AND MEMBERS OF THE WARSAW
PACT TO VIEW OUR WESTERN PROPOSAL AS A MEANS TO REACH
AGREEMENT IN VIENNA AFTER 9 LONG YEARS OF INCONCLUSIVE
TALKS, WE ALSO URGE THEM TO IMPLEMENT THE 1975
HELSINKI AGREEMENT ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN
EUROPE.
LET ME STRESS THAT FOR AGREEMENTS TO WORK, BOTH
SIDES MUST BE ABLE TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE. THE BUILDING
OF MUTUAL CONFIDENCE IN COMPLIANCE CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED
THROUGH GREATER OPENNESS. I ENCOURAGE THE SPECIAL
SESSION ON DISARMAMENT TO ENDORSE THE IMPORTANCE OF
THESE PRINCIPLES IN ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS,
- 12 - 12
I HAVE INSTRUCTED OUR REPRESENTATIVES AT THE
40-NATION COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT TO RENEW EMPHASIS ON
VERIFICATION AND COMPLIANCE. BASED ON A U.S. PROPOSAL,
A COMMITTEE HAS BEEN FORMED TO EXAMINE THESE ISSUES AS
THEY RELATE TO RESTRICTIONS ON NUCLEAR TESTING. WE ARE
ALSO PRESSING THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE VERIFICATION
PROVISIONS IN AGREEMENTS BANNING CHEMICAL WEAPONS.
THE USE OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS HAS
LONG BEEN VIEWED WITH REVULSION BY CIVILIZED NATIONS.
NO PEACEMAKING INSTITUTION CAN IGNORE THE USE OF THESE
DREAD WEAPONS AND STILL LIVE UP TO ITS MISSION. THE
NEED FOR A TRULY EFFECTIVE AND VERIFIABLE CHEMICAL
WEAPONS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED BY RECENT
EVENTS. THE SOVIET UNION AND THEIR ALLIES ARE
VIOLATING THE GENEVA PROTOCOL OF 1925, RELATED RULES OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE 1972 BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS
CONVENTION. THERE IS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE THAT THE
SOVIET GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED TOXINS FOR USE IN LAOS
AND KAMPUCHEA, AND ARE THEMSELVES USING CHEMICAL
WEAPONS AGAINST FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN AFGHANISTAN.
WE HAVE REPEATEDLY PROTESTED TO THE SOVIET
GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENTS OF LAOS AND
VIETNAM, THEIR USE OF CHEMICAL AND TOXIN WEAPONS. WE
CALL UPON THEM NOW TO GRANT FULL AND FREE ACCESS TO
THEIR COUNTRIES OR TO TERRITORIES THEY CONTROL SO THAT
UNITED NATIONS EXPERTS CAN CONDUCT AN EFFECTIVE,
INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION TO VERIFY CESSATION OF THESE
HORRORS.
- 13 - 3
EVIDENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING ARMS
CONTROL AGREEMENTS UNDERSCORES THE NEED TO APPROACH
NEGOTIATION OF ANY NEW AGREEMENTS WITH CARE,
THE DEMOCRACIES OF THE WEST ARE OPEN SOCIETIES.
INFORMATION ON OUR DEFENSES IS AVAILABLE TO OUR
CITIZENS, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE WORLD. WE DO
NOT HESITATE TO INFORM POTENTIAL ADVERSARIES OF OUR
MILITARY FORCES, AND ASK IN RETURN FOR THE SAME
INFORMATION CONCERNING THEIRS,
THE AMOUNT AND TYPE OF MILITARY SPENDING BY A
COUNTRY IS IMPORTANT FOR THE WORLD TO KNOW, AS A
MEASURE OF ITS INTENTIONS, AND THE THREAT THAT COUNTRY
MAY POSE TO ITS NEIGHBORS. THE SOVIET UNION AND OTHER
CLOSED SOCIETIES GO TO EXTRAORDINARY LENGTHS TO HIDE
THEIR TRUE MILITARY SPENDING NOT ONLY FROM OTHER
NATIONS, BUT FROM THEIR OWN PEOPLE. THIS PRACTICE
CONTRIBUTES TO DISTRUST AND FEAR ABOUT THEIR
INTENTIONS.
TODAY, THE UNITED STATES PROPOSES AN INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE ON MILITARY EXPENDITURES TO BUILD ON THE
WORK OF THIS BODY IN DEVELOPING A COMMON SYSTEM FOR
ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING. WE URGE THE SOVIET UNION, IN
PARTICULAR, TO JOIN THIS EFFORT IN GOOD FAITH, TO
REVISE THE UNIVERSALLY DISCREDITED OFFICIAL FIGURES IT
PUBLISHES, AND TO JOIN WITH US IN GIVING THE WORLD A
TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE RESOURCES WE ALLOCATE TO OUR ARMED
FORCES.
- 14 - 14
LAST FRIDAY IN BERLIN, I SAID I WOULD LEAVE NO
STONE UNTURNED IN THE EFFORT TO REINFORCE PEACE AND
LESSEN THE RISK OF WAR. IT HAS BEEN CLEAR TO ME STEPS
SHOULD BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE MUTUAL CONFIDENCE AND
COMMUNICATION AND LESSEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF
MISINTERPRETATION. I HAVE, THEREFORE, DIRECTED THE
EXPLORATION OF WAYS TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE SOVIET
UNION IN TIMES OF PEACE AND OF CRISIS, WE WILL
APPROACH THE SOVIET UNION WITH PROPOSALS FOR RECIPROCAL
EXCHANGES IN SUCH AREAS AS ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF
MAJOR STRATEGIC EXERCISES THAT OTHERWISE MIGHT BE
MISINTERPRETED; ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF I.C.B.M.
LAUNCHES WITHIN, AS WELL AS BEYOND, NATIONAL
BOUNDARIES: AND AN EXPANDED EXCHANGE OF STRATEGIC
FORCES DATA. WHILE SUBSTANTIAL INFORMATION ON U.S.
ACTIVITIES AND FORCES IN THESE AREAS ALREADY IS
PROVIDED, I BELIEVE THAT JOINTLY AND REGULARLY SHARING
INFORMATION WOULD REPRESENT A QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENT
IN THE STRATEGIC NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENT AND WOULD HELP
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF MISUNDERSTANDINGS. I CALL UPON
THE SOVIET UNION TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES IN EXPLORING
THESE POSSIBILITIES TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND I ASK FOR
YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR EFFORTS.
- 15 -
ONE OF THE MAJOR ITEMS BEFORE THIS CONFERENCE IS
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF
DISARMAMENT. WE SUPPORT THE EFFORT TO CHART A COURSE
OF REALISTIC AND EFFECTIVE MEASURES IN THE QUEST FOR
PEACE,
I HAVE COME TO THIS HALL TO CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL
RECOMMITMENT TO THE BASIC TENET OF THE UNITED NATIONS
CHARTER -- THAT ALL MEMBERS PRACTICE TOLERANCE AND LIVE
TOGETHER IN PEACE AS GOOD NEIGHBORS UNDER THE RULE OF
LAW, FORSAKING ARMED FORCE AS A MEANS OF SETTLING
DISPUTES BETWEEN NATIONS AMERICA URGES YOU TO SUPPORT
THE AGENDA FOR PEACE I HAVE OUTLINED TODAY, WE ASK YOU
TO REINFORCE THE BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL ARMS
CONTROL NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN MEMBERS OF N.A.T.O. AND
THE WARSAW PACT AND TO REDEDICATE YOURSELVES TO
MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY, AND
REMOVING THREATS TO PEACE,
WE, WHO HAVE SIGNED THE U.N. CHARTER, HAVE PLEDGED
TO REFRAIN FROM THE THREAT OR USE OF FORCE AGAINST THE
TERRITORY OR INDEPENDENCE OF ANY STATE. IN THESE TIMES
WHEN MORE AND MORE LAWLESS ACTS ARE GOING UNPUNISHED --
AS SOME MEMBERS OF THIS VERY BODY SHOW A GROWING
DISREGARD FOR THE U.N. CHARTER -- THE PEACE-LOVING
NATIONS OF THE WORLD MUST CONDEMN AGGRESSION AND PLEDGE
AGAIN TO ACT IN A WAY THAT IS WORTHY OF THE IDEALS WE
HAVE ENDORSED. LET US FINALLY MAKE THE CHARTER LIVE.
- 16 - 15
IN LATE SPRING, 37 YEARS AGO, REPRESENTATIVES OF
50 NATIONS GATHERED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS
CONTINENT, IN THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA HOUSE. THE
LEAGUE OF NATIONS HAD CRUMBLED AND WORLD WAR II STILL
RAGED, BUT THOSE MEN AND NATIONS WERE DETERMINED TO
FIND PEACE. THE RESULT WAS THIS CHARTER FOR PEACE THAT
IS THE FRAMEWORK OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN SPOKE OF THE REVIVAL OF AN
OLD FAITH -- THE EVERLASTING MORAL FORCE OF JUSTICE
PROMPTING THAT UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE. SUCH A FORCE
REMAINS STRONG IN AMERICA AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE
SPEECH IS FREE AND CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO GATHER
AND MAKE THEIR OPINIONS KNOWN,
PRESIDENT TRUMAN SAID, "IF WE SHOULD PAY MERELY
LIP SERVICE TO INSPIRING IDEALS, AND LATER DO VIOLENCE
TO SIMPLE JUSTICE, WE WOULD DRAW DOWN UPON US THE
BITTER WRATH OF GENERATIONS YET UNBORN. THOSE WORDS
OF HARRY TRUMAN HAVE SPECIAL MEANING FOR US TODAY AS WE
LIVE WITH THE POTENTIAL TO DESTROY CIVILIZATION.
"WE MUST LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE," HE
SAID. "WE MUST BUILD A NEW WORLD -- - A FAR BETTER
WORLD,
"
WHAT A BETTER WORLD IT WOULD BE IF THE GUNS WERE
SILENT; IF NEIGHBOR NO LONGER ENCROACHED ON NEIGHBOR
AND ALL PEOPLES WERE FREE TO REAP THE REWARDS OF THEIR
TOIL AND DETERMINE THEIR OWN DESTINY AND SYSTEM OF
GOVERNMENT -- WHATEVER THEIR CHOICE,
- 17 -
DURING MY RECENT AUDIENCE WITH HIS HOLINESS POPE
JOHN PAUL II, I GAVE HIM THE PLEDGE OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE FOR PEACE AND ARMS
REDUCTIONS. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BELIEVE FORGING REAL
AND LASTING PEACE TO BE THEIR SACRED TRUST.
LET US NEVER FORGET THAT SUCH A PEACE WOULD BE A
TERRIBLE HOAX IF THE WORLD WERE NO LONGER BLESSED WITH
FREEDOM AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. THE UNITED
NATIONS, HAMMARSKJOLD SAID, WAS BORN OUT OF THE
CATACLYSMS OF WAR. IT SHOULD JUSTIFY THE SACRIFICES OF
ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE. "IT
IS OUR DUTY TO THE PAST, " HAMMARSKJOLD SAID, "AND IT IS
OUR DUTY TO THE FUTURE, SO TO SERVE BOTH OUR NATIONS
AND THE WORLD. "
AS BOTH PATRIOTS OF OUR NATIONS AND THE HOPE OF
ALL THE WORLD, LET THOSE OF US ASSEMBLED HERE IN THE
NAME OF PEACE DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDINGS, RENEW OUR
COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND TAKE NEW AND BOLDER
STEPS TO CALM AN UNEASY WORLD, CAN ANY DELEGATE HERE
DENY THAT IN SO DOING HE WOULD BE DOING WHAT THE
PEOPLE -- THE RANK AND FILE CITIZENRY OF HIS COUNTRY --
WANT HIM TO DO?
- 18 -
ISN'T IT TIME FOR US TO REALLY REPRESENT THE
DEEPEST MOST HEARTFELT YEARNINGS OF ALL OUR PEOPLE?
LET NO NATION ABUSE THIS COMMON LONGING TO BE FREE OF
FEAR. WE MUST NOT MANIPULATE OUR PEOPLE BY PLAYING
UPON THEIR NIGHTMARES; WE MUST SERVE MANKIND THROUGH
GENUINE DISARMAMENT. WITH GOD'S HELP WE CAN SECURE
LIFE AND FREEDOM FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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