[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6447-S6448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP TO RUSSIA

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, earlier today Senator McConnell suggested 
on the Senate floor that the President's trip to Moscow has been a 
wasted effort--that there has not been a shred of progress made there. 
I do not want anyone who may have been listening to that statement to 
be misled by it, for, in my view, it simply is not accurate. It is 
important to review the reasons President Clinton went to Moscow and to 
assess his trip to Moscow--which is not yet over--with those goals in 
mind.
  The President went to Moscow to honor the sacrifices of the Russian 
people to defeat the Nazis and fascism in World War II. Russians lost 
approximately 20 million people in that war--more than any other 
Nation. With the end of the cold war, this is the United States first 
opportunity to convey our appreciation. Our policy's to seek better 
relations not only with the Russian Government, but with the Russian 
people as well to help democracy take root there.
  The President also went to Moscow to pursue discussion on key issues. 
The United States expectations were low, and our progress has exceeded 
those expectations. Among the accomplishments so far--and I emphasize 
that the trip continues tomorrow--are:
  First, with respect to European Security, the Russians agreed to 
implement two Partnership for Peace agreements that are important to 
realize our goal of a comprehensive system of security in Europe.
  Second, on the issue of theater missile defenses. The Russians agreed 
to a Statement of Principles that preserves the ABM Treaty and enables 
us to proceed with deployment of theater missile defense systems.
  Third, the Russians agreed not to provide a gas centrifuge enrichment 
facility to Iran and to continue to review and discuss the proposed 
sale of light-water reactors. That review will be through a special 
group created at the March ministerial meeting of Secretary Christopher 
and Foreign Minister Kozyrev.
  Fourth, President Clinton secured an agreement with respect to 
nuclear materials to enable both countries to cooperate to ensure the 
safe storage of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons materials.
  Finally, agreement was reached on a statement to guide economic 
relations between the two countries that is important to our efforts to 
keep the Russian economic reforms on track.
  So, in my view, a substantial degree of progress has been made with 
regard to Iran, with regard to the ABM Treaty, with regard to a number 
of issues relating to European security. And, as I indicated, the trip 
continues.
  That list of substantive accomplishments is impressive; to expect 
more from one trip is, frankly, unrealistic.
  Overall, the progress is indicative of the continuing interest of 
both countries to cooperate where we can and manage our differences 
constructively.
  We should not judge this relationship or this meeting against an 
arbitrary scorecard, and we must not forget that this is not the old 
Soviet Union. This is a process to develop our relationship with the 
new Russia--again, not just its government, but also its people; to 
build on the potential that resides within that relationship that must 
be rooted in democracy and a mature and balanced dialog.
  It is an important relationship, and the President is wise to invest 
in it. I applaud his efforts, and the fact that he has accomplished as 
much as he has in the last 2 days.
  [[Page S6448]] Perhaps President Clinton said it best today:

       If you asked me to summarize in a word or two what happened 
     today, I would say that we advanced the security interests of 
     the people of the United States and the people of Russia.

  I should also note that, regarding Chechnya, the President spoke out 
strongly and publicly against Russian action in Chechnya at an event at 
Moscow State University. He has made clear to President Yeltsin and to 
the Russian people the United States position. Tomorrow he will meet 
with opposition leaders and with the family of Fred Cuny, the American 
aid worker still missing in Chechnya.
  So I would say the President certainly went to Russia knowing we have 
serious differences with Russia, but committed to the essential process 
of supporting democratic roots and institutions in Russia and 
developing our relationship with the Russian people. The list of 
accomplishments is impressive, and the trip continues.
  I only hope that in the interest of ensuring the greatest degree of 
success, at least until he returns, we give him the greatest benefit of 
the doubt, that we offer him our support, that we send the right 
message to the Russian people that we stand behind this President as he 
negotiates, as he continues to confront the many very perplexing issues 
that we must address in our complicated relationship with the people of 
Russia and certainly Russian leadership.
  So, again, I must say I think in 2 days it is remarkable the 
President has developed the list of accomplishments he has. I hope we 
could continue to add to that list in the remaining time the President 
spends in Russia. It was a trip well spent. It was a trip I think we 
can look on with some satisfaction. I hope as the President continues 
to travel we can demonstrate our support for him and for his efforts, 
and wish him well as he continues.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island is recognized.
  Mr. CHAFEE. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Chafee pertaining to the introduction of S. 789 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')


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