From the time I assumed office four years ago this month, I have stressed
the need for this country to assert a leading role in a world undergoing
the most extensive and intensive change in human history.
My policies have been directed in particular at three areas of change:
--the steady growth and increased projection abroad of Soviet military
power, power that has grown faster than our own over the past two decades.
--the overwhelming dependence of Western nations, which now increasingly
includes the United States, on vital oil supplies from the Middle East.
--the pressures of change in many nations of the developing world, in Iran
and uncertainty about the future stability of many developing countries.
As a result of those fundamental facts, we face some of the most serious
challenges in the history of this nation. The Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan is a threat to global peace, to East-West relations, and to
regional stable flow of oil. As the unprecedented relations, an and
overwhelming vote in the General Assembly demonstrated, countries across
the world, and particularly the nonaligned, regard the Soviet invasion as a
threat to their independence and security. Turmoil within the region
adjacent to the Persian Gulf poses risks for the security and prosperity of
every oil importing nation and thus for the entire global economy. The
continuing holding of American hostages in Iran is both an affront to
civilized people everywhere, and a serious impediment to meeting the
self-evident threat to widely-shared common interests, including those of
Iran.
But as we focus our most urgent efforts on pressing problems, we will
continue to pursue the benefits that only change can bring. For it always
has been the essence of America that we want to move on, we understand that
prosperity, progress and most of all peace cannot be had by standing still.
A world of nations striving to preserve their independence, and of peoples
aspiring for economic development and political freedom, is not a world
hostile to the ideals and interests of the United States. We face powerful
adversaries, but we have strong friends and dependable allies. We have
common interests with the vast majority of the world's nations and
peoples.
There have been encouraging developments in recent years, as well as
matters requiring continued vigilance and concern:
--Our alliances with the world's most advanced and democratic states from
Western Europe through Japan are stronger than ever.
--We have helped to bring about a dramatic improvement in relations
between Egypt and Israel and an historic step towards a comprehensive
Arab-Israeli settlement.
--Our relations with China are growing closer, providing a major new
dimension in our policy in Asia and the world.
--Across southern Africa from Rhodesia to Namibia we are helping with the
peaceful transition to majority rule in a context of respect for minority
as well as majority rights.
--We have worked domestically and with our allies to respond to an
uncertain energy situation by conservation and diversification of energy
supplies based on internationally agreed targets.
--We have unambiguously demonstrated our commitment to defend Western
interests in Southwest Asia, and we have significantly increased our
ability to do so.
--And over the past four years the U.S. has developed an energy program
which is comprehensive and ambitious. New institutions have been
established such as the Synthetic Fuels Corporation and Solar Bank. Price
decontrol for oil and gas is proceeding. American consumers have risen to
the challenge, and we have experienced real improvements in consumption
patterns.
The central challenge for us today is to our steadfastedness of purpose. We
are no longer tempted by isolationism. But we must also learn to deal
effectively with the contradictions of the world, the need to cooperate
with potential adversaries without euphoria, without undermining our
determination to compete with such adversaries and if necessary confront
the threats they may pose to our security.
We face a broad range of threats and opportunities. We have and should
continue to pursue a broad range of defense, diplomatic and economic
capabilities and objectives.