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tioned above, and development of respective promise of that victory in World War II, a compliance procedures. victory that bought the West five decades of The United States of America and the Rus- freedom and prosperity. sian Federation will seek to conclude in the Now the cold war is over. Democracy has shortest possible time an agreement for co- triumphed through decades of Western re- operation between their governments ena- solve, but that victory was also yours, through bling the exchange of information as nec- the determination of the peoples of Russia, essary to implement the arrangements called the other former Soviet republics, and the for above, by providing for the protection of countries of Central and Eastern Europe to that information. No information will be ex- be free and to move into the 21st century changed until the respective arrangements as a part of, not apart from, the global move- enter into force. ment toward greater democracy, prosperity, and common security. NOTE: An original was not available for verifica- Your decision for democracy and coopera- tion of the content of this joint statement. tion has given us the opportunity to work to- gether to fulfill the promise of our common Remarks to Students at Moscow victory over forces of fascism 50 years ago. State University I know that it was not an easy decision to May 10, 1995 make and that it is not always an easy deci- sion to stay with. I know that you in Russia Thank you very much, Rector Sadovnichy, will have to chart your own democratic Mrs. Sadovnichy. To the faculty, and most course based on your own traditions and cul- of all, to the students of Moscow State Uni- ture, as well as on the common challenges versity, I am deeply honored to be here and we face. to be here just a few years after my prede- We Americans have now spent over 200 cessor President Reagan also spoke to the years setting our own course. Along the way students. we have endured deep divisions and one I can think of no better place than a great Civil War. We have made mistakes at home seat of learning like Moscow State University and in our relations with other people. At to speak about the past and future of Russia. times we have fallen short of our own ideals. In this spirit, Mikhail Lomonosov lives on, Our system can sometimes seem unneces- for just as he modernized your ancient lan- sarily burdened by divisions and constraint. guage for the Russian people two centuries But as Winston Churchill once said, ‘‘De- ago, today you must take the lead in shaping mocracy is the worst system of government, a new language, a language of democracy except for all the others.’’ It has produced that will help all Russia to chart a new course more prosperity, more security, and more for your ancient land. opportunity for self-fulfillment than all of its Here you openly debate the pressing is- competitors in the entire world in the last sues of the day. And though you can only 200 years. hear echoes of your nation’s history, you are The United States supports the forces of living it and making it as you ponder and democracy and reform here in Russia be- prepare for what is yet to come. cause it is in our national interest to do so. Yesterday all of Russia and much of the I have worked hard to make this post-cold- entire world paused to remember the end war world a safer and more hopeful place of World War II and the terrible, almost un- for the American people. As President, that imaginable price the peoples of the Soviet is my job. That is every President’s job. But Union paid for survival and for victory. Be- I have had the opportunity, unlike my recent cause our alliance with you was shattered at predecessors, to work with Russia instead of the war’s end by the onset of the cold war, being in opposition to Russia. And I want Americans never fully appreciated, until yes- to keep it that way. terday, the true extent of your sacrifice and I am proud that for the first time since its contribution to our common victory. And the dawn of the nuclear age, no Russian mis- the Russian people were denied the full siles are pointed at the children of America.

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And now that I am here, I might paraphrase your national interest in terms that make oth- what your Foreign Minister told me in Wash- ers less secure. The answer is to stay on this ington last month: I am also proud that no course, to reap the full benefits of democ- American missiles are pointed at you or me racy, and to work on these problems with for the first time since the dawn of the nu- those of us who have a stake in your success, clear age. because your success makes us safer and Both our nations are destroying thousands more prosperous as well. of nuclear weapons at a faster rate than our That success, I believe, depends upon treaties require. We have removed the last three things: first, continuing to strengthen nuclear weapons from Kazakhstan. And your democracy; second, improving your Ukraine and Belarus will soon follow. We are economy and reducing social and economic cooperating with you to prevent nuclear problems; and third, establishing your role weapons and bomb-making materials from in the world in a way that enhances your eco- falling into the hands of terrorists and smug- nomic and national security interests, not at glers. We are working together to extend in- the expense of your friends and neighbors definitely the Nuclear Non-Proliferation but in cooperation with them. Treaty, the cornerstone of our efforts to stop First, the work of building democracy the spread of nuclear weapons. never ends. The democratic system can never Your progress on the economic front is also be perfected, because human beings are not important. I have seen reports that more than perfect. In America today, we are engaged 60 percent of your economy is now in private in a renewed debate over which decisions hands. Inflation is dropping, and your gov- should be made by our National Government ernment is taking sensible steps to control and which ones should be made locally or its budget deficit. Managers work to satisfy by private citizens on their own, unimpeded customers and to make profits. Employees, by Government. We argue today over the more and more, search for the best jobs at proper roles of the different branches of the highest wages. And every day, despite Government, and we argue over how we can hardship and uncertainty, more and more be strengthened, not weakened, by the great Russian people are able to make decisions diversity in our society. These are enduring in free markets rather than having their challenges that all democracies face. choices dictated to them. But no element among them is more fun- We have supported these reforms. They damental than the holding of free elections. are good for you, but they are also good for In our meetings today, President Yeltsin once the United States and for the rest of the again pledged to keep on schedule both a world, for they bring us together and move new round of parliamentary elections in De- us forward. cember and the Presidential election next I know there are severe problems. There June. He has shown that he understands are severe problems in your transition to a what has often been said about a new democ- market economy. I know, too, that in any- racy: The second elections are even more im- where free markets exist, they do not solve portant than the first, for the second elec- all social problems. They require policies that tions establish a pattern of peaceful transition can ensure economic fairness and basic of power. human decency to those who need and de- Therefore, I urge all Russians who have serve help. the right to vote to exercise that vote this Finally, I know that all democracies, the year and next year. Many people sacrificed United States included, face new challenges so that you could have this power. I address from the emergency of the global economy that plea especially to the young people in and the information age, as well as from the this room and throughout your great nation. threats posed by the proliferation of weapons Your future is fully before you. And these of mass destruction, by organized crime, and elections will shape that future. Do not fall by terrorism. But the answer is not to back into the trap that I hear even in my own away from democracy or to go back to isola- country of believing that your vote does not tion. The answer is not to go back to defining count. It does count. It will count if you cast

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it. And if you do not cast it, that will count Yeltsin earlier today, this terrible tragedy for something, too. So I urge you to exercise must be brought to a rapid and peaceful con- the vote. clusion. Continued fighting in that region can But the heart of a democracy does not lie only spill more blood and further erode sup- in the ballot box alone. That is why it is also port for Russia among her neighbors around important that your generation continue to the world. demand and support a free and independent Holding free elections, ensuring a free and press. Again, this can be a difficult, even dan- independent press, promoting tolerance of gerous process, as the people in your press diversity, these are some of the difficult tasks know all too well. Dmitriy Kholodov and of building a democracy. They are all impor- Vladislav Listyev were murdered in pursuit tant. of the truth, victims of their vigorous belief But these efforts also depend upon your in the public’s right to know. You must not economic reforms. Your efforts on the politi- allow those assassins who targeted them to cal front will benefit from efforts on the eco- steal from your people one of the essential nomic front that generate prosperity and give freedoms of democracy, the freedom of the people a greater stake in a democratic future. press. To too many people in this country, I know There is another challenge, a challenge of that economic reform has come to mean building tolerance, for tolerance, too, lies at hardship, uncertainty, crime, and corruption. the heart of any democracy. Few nations on Profitable enterprises once owned by the Earth can rival Russia’s vast human and natu- state have been moved into private hands, ral resources or her diversity. Within your sometimes under allegedly questionable cir- borders live more than 100 different ethnic groups. Scores of literary, cultural, and artis- cumstances. The demands of extortionists tic traditions thrive among your people. And have stopped some would-be entrepreneurs in the last few years, millions have returned from even going into business. And when the to their faiths, seeking refuge in their stability heavy hand of totalitarianism was lifted from and finding hope in their teachings. These your society, many structures necessary for are vital signs of democracy taking root. a free market to take shape were not there, Given your nation’s great diversity, it and organized crime was able to move into would have been easy along this path to sur- the vacuum. render to the cries of extremists who in the These are real and urgent concerns. They name of patriotism have tried to rally support demand an all-out battle to create a market by stirring up fear among different peoples. based on law, not lawlessness, a market that But you have embraced, instead, the cause rewards merit, not malice. Economic reform of tolerance. The vast majority of Russians must not be an excuse for the privileged and have rejected those poisonous arguments and the strong to prey upon the weak. bolstered your young, fragile democracy. To help your government break the power When Americans and others in the West of those criminals, our Federal Bureau of In- look back on the events of the last 4 years, vestigation has opened an office here in Mos- we are struck by the remarkably peaceful na- cow. And we are cooperating with your gov- ture of your revolutionary transition. Your ac- ernment’s attempts to strengthen the integ- complishment to go through a massive social rity of your markets. and political upheaval and the breakup of an Pressures in the market economy are also empire with so little brutality and bloodshed leaving some people behind, people whose has few precedents in history. Your restraint needs are not being met and who are not was a critical factor in paving the way for able to compete and win, while some of the Russia to take its place in the global commu- richest are said to pay no taxes at all. Those nity, a modern state at peace with itself and Russians who lose their jobs or who live in its neighbors. poverty deserve an economic and social safe- Now, it is against this backdrop, this great ty net that is strong enough to break their achievement, that we Americans have viewed fall and keep them going until they can get the tragedy in Chechnya. As I told President back on their feet.

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Finally, market economies require dis- Second, the United States strongly be- cipline. Cutting inflation helps families strug- lieves that there should be no future nuclear gling to become members of the new Russian cooperation with Iran. We believe that is in middle class so they need not fear the future. Russia’s interest. Today President Yeltsin Continuing your country’s recent record of said that Russia would not sell enrichment more realistic budgets is vital to achieving technology or training to Iran because that long-term economic stability. I say this from could clearly be used to develop a nuclear experience. From the beginning of my ad- capacity. And that should be more important ministration I have pursued these goals, be- to you than to us because you are closer to cause even though they require some sac- Iran than we are. I gave President Yeltsin rifice in the short term, they promise lasting some intelligence that the United States economic growth that will benefit all of our Government has that we believe supports the people and yours as well. proposition that no nuclear cooperation in The transition to a more honest and open the future, not even the light water reactors, market economy requires time. New prob- should proceed. And the two of us agreed lems will appear as your economy gains to ask the special commission headed by ground. But in the midst of the pain, I would Prime Minister Chernomyrdin and Vice urge you also to see the promise. Countries President Gore to look into this matter fur- that were in economic ruin at the end of ther. World War II today rank among the world’s On the outstanding issues of arms sales to most dynamic nations because they have Iran, we reached agreement with Russia made a market economy and democracy which will now permit Russia, your country, work. to be one of the founding members of the Finally, Russia’s success at political and so-called post-COCOM regime, an agree- economic reform at home requires an ap- ment among nations to limit the sales of all proach to the world that reinforces your dangerous weapons around the world in ways progress and enhances your security. Russia that will increase your security and ours. and the United States must work together in this regard. We must work for our com- Next, we agreed to immediately work to mon security. More than anything else, that see if we could get our respective parliamen- is what my meeting with President Yeltsin tary bodies to ratify the START II treaty this today was all about, and we made progress year so that we could continue to reduce our in many areas. I would like to report them nuclear arsenals and, after START II is rati- to you. fied, to consider further reductions in the nu- First, Russia agreed to implement its Part- clear arsenals of the United States and Russia nership For Peace with NATO. And I agreed to make your future safer. We also agreed now to press NATO to begin talks on a spe- to a statement of principles on one of the cial relationship with Russia. most difficult issues in our security relation- The United States has made it clear that ship, how we define so-called theater missile we favor a strong continuing NATO, that any defenses in the context of our Antiballistic admission of new members be based on the Missile Treaty—designed, again, to make us principles we have articulated along with our both safer. partners. It must be gradual and deliberate Next, we agreed to begin visits to our bio- and open and consistent with the security in- logical weapons installations this August as terests of all of our partners for peace, in- part of our continued commitment to reduce cluding Russia. the threat of biological and chemical weap- My goal since I became President has ons proliferation throughout the world. And been to use the fact that the cold war is over if you consider what recently happened, the to unify Europe for the first time in its his- terrible incident in the subway in Japan, our tory. And that is what we must all be working future security and your future security is for. President Yeltsin’s decision to join the threatened not only by nuclear weapons but Partnership For Peace will support that move by the potential of biological and chemical toward security and unity. weapons falling into the wrong hands as well.

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And finally, in the wake of all those inci- wants and needs strong democratic countries dents, the problems in Russia with organized where people are truly free and secure. And crime and the awful tragedy that we had in this world needs a strong and democratic our country in Oklahoma City, the United Russia to help meet these challenges. States and Russia agreed that we must work It is in that context that I have pledged much harder in sharing information, sharing to President Yeltsin we will continue to work technology, sharing research in the areas of on all the issues between us. And it is in that combating terrorism and organized crime. context that I urged the President to have This meeting was a success because every no future nuclear cooperation with Iran. one of those decisions will give you and your Think about the future that we have to- counterparts in the United States a safer fu- gether. We have already witnessed what Rus- ture. And we need to do more of this kind sia can do on the world stage when it is com- of work together. pletely engaged and committed to democ- As we close the door on this 20th century, racy. From the Near East to as far away as the bloodiest century in the history of the El Salvador, America and the world have world, I am convinced that the next century been made more secure by Russian leader- and your most productive years will be the ship and cooperation. As Russia takes her most exciting time, the time most full of pos- rightful place, we believe that the trends to- sibility in all history. The global economy, the ward democracy and economic freedom and explosion of information, the incredible ad- tolerance must and will continue. vances in technology, the ability of people Yesterday your nation looked back at 50 to move rapidly across large spaces, all of years and paid homage to the heroes of these trends are bringing us into a more inte- World War II. Today let us look ahead 50 grated world. But we must all realize that years to the next century when your children these forces of integration have a dark under- and your grandchildren will recall those who side. stood against the coups, who voted in free In the 21st century, we will face new and elections, who claimed their basic human different security threats. In the 21st century, rights and liberties which had been so long I predict to you, there will be no world war denied, those who made Russia a full partner to write about between nations fighting over in the global march toward freedom and territory. I predict to you that there will not prosperity and security. They will look back, be a new great colossus killing tens of mil- and they will be grateful. lions of its own citizens to maintain control. I know there are some in this country who I believe the battles of the 21st century will do not favor this course. And believe me, be against the organized forces of destruction there are some people in my country who that can cross national lines or threaten us do not believe that you will follow this course. from within our borders. We see these forces They predict that, instead, you will repeat in the bombing of the World Trade Center, the patterns of the past. Well, of course the in the terrible tragedy in Oklahoma City, in outcome is not assured; nothing in human the United States. We see it in the bombings affairs is certain. But I believe those negative on the streets in Israel, designed to kill the voices are mistaken. peace process in the Middle East. We see All sensible people understand the enor- it in that terrible gas attack in the Tokyo sub- mous challenges you face, but if there is one way. We see it in the problems that you and constant element in your history, it is the so many other nations have with organized strength and resilience of the Russian people. crime. You have survived in this century devastating The more open and flexible our societies losses in two World Wars that would have are, the more our people are able to move broken weaker spirits. You succeeded in freely without restraint, the greater we are bringing an end to a communist system and exposed to those kinds of threats. And so we to a cold war that had dominated human af- must become more and more vigilant. We fairs for decades. You have ushered in a new must work together to defeat these new secu- era of freedom. And you can go the rest of rity threats, for in this new century, the world the way.

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In the future, your progress may well be Japan is a valued friend and ally. Our polit- measured not by glorious victories but by ical and strategic relations are strong. Even gradual improvements. And therefore, in in trade, we have worked together to pro- your efforts you will need time and patience, mote successes in the Asia-Pacific Economic two virtues that Leo Tolstoy called the Cooperation forum (APEC) and the Uruguay strongest of all warriors. round of the GATT. It is in the context of You must know in this endeavor that you this overall strong relationship that we must will not be alone, for Russians and Americans directly address our differences. share this bond. We both must learn from our past, and we both must find the courage to change to make the future that our chil- Message to the Congress dren deserve. For the sake of your generation Transmitting the ‘‘Gun-Free School and generations to come, I believe we will Zones Amendments Act of 1995’’ all rise to the challenge. May 10, 1995 Thank you very much. To the Congress of the United States: Today I am transmitting for your imme- NOTE: The President spoke at 6:12 p.m. in the Main Hall. In his remarks, he referred to Viktor diate consideration and passage the ‘‘Gun- Antonovich Sadovnichy, rector of the university; Free School Zones Amendments Act of Foreign Minister Andrey Kozyrev of Russia; and 1995.’’ This Act will provide the jurisdictional journalist Dmitriy Kholodov and television per- element for the Gun-Free School Zones Act sonality Vladislav Listyev, who were recently as- of 1990 required by the Supreme Court’s re- sassinated in Russia. A tape was not available for cent decision in United States v. Lopez. verification of the content of these remarks. In a 5–4 decision, the Court in Lopez held that the Congress had exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause by enacting the Statement on Trade With Japan Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, codified May 10, 1995 at 18 U.S.C. 922(q). The Court found that this Act did not contain the jurisdictional ele- For more than 2 years, I have committed ment that would ensure that the firearms my administration to a bipartisan effort to possession in question has the requisite nexus open world markets. I have done this because with interstate commerce. where markets are open, Americans compete In the wake of that decision, I directed and win, and that means more high-paying Attorney General Reno to present to me an U.S. jobs. analysis of Lopez and to recommend a legis- Over the past 20 months, my administra- lative solution to the problem identified by tion has made every effort through negotia- that decision. Her legislative recommenda- tions to remove obstacles to Japan’s auto and tion is presented in this proposal. auto parts market. Unfortunately, those ne- The legislative proposal would amend the gotiations have not produced meaningful re- Gun-Free School Zones Act by adding the sults. Today, we announced U.S. action in requirement that the Government prove that response to the continued discrimination the firearm has ‘‘moved in or the possession against U.S. and foreign competitive autos of such firearm otherwise affects interstate and auto parts in Japan. I want to underscore or foreign commerce.’’ my strong support for these actions. The addition of this jurisdictional element At my direction, my administration will fi- would limit the Act’s ‘‘reach to a discrete set nalize a preliminary list of Japanese goods of firearm possessions that additionally have for retaliation. I also have directed Ambas- an explicit connection with or effect on inter- sador Kantor to send a pre-filing notification state commerce,’’ as the Court stated in to the Director General of the WTO, indicat- Lopez, and thereby bring it within the Con- ing our intent to pursue a WTO case against gress’ Commerce Clause authority. Japan’s unfair trading practices in the auto The Attorney General reported to me that and auto parts sector. this proposal would have little, if any, impact

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