Presidents -- United States -- Messages; United States -- Politics and government -- Sources
--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.
I see six basic goals for America in the world over the 1980's:
--First, we will continue, as we have over the past four years, to build
America's military strength and that of our allies and friends. Neither the
Soviet Union nor any other nation will have reason to question our will to
sustain the strongest and most flexible defense forces.
--Second, we will pursue an active diplomacy in the world, working,
together with our friends and allies, to resolve disputes through peaceful
means and to make any aggressor pay a heavy price.
--Third, we will strive to resolve pressing international economic
problems, particularly energy and inflation, and continue to pursue our
still larger objective of global economic growth through expanded trade and
development assistance and through the preservation of an open multilateral
trading system.
--Fourth, we will continue vigorously to support the process of building
democratic institutions and improving human rights protection around the
world. We are deeply convinced that the future lies not with dictatorship
but democracy.
--Fifth, we remain deeply committed to the process of mutual and
verifiable arms control, particularly to the effort to prevent the spread
and further development of nuclear weapons. Our decision to defer, but not
abandon our efforts to secure ratification of the SALT II Treaty reflects
our firm conviction that the United States has a profound national
security interest in the constraints on Soviet nuclear forces which only
that treaty can provide.
--Sixth, we must continue to look ahead in order to evaluate and respond
to resource, environment and population challenges through the end of this
century.
One very immediate and pressing objective that is uppermost on our minds
and those of the American people is the release of our hostages in Iran.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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