[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[March 23, 1992]
[Page 493]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Strategic Defense Initiative

March 23, 1992
    Today marks the ninth anniversary of the beginning of the Strategic 
Defense Initiative. The men and women of the SDI program have 
accomplished a great deal. They have proven repeatedly that we can 
intercept warheads in space. They have made great advances in smaller, 
cheaper, more sophisticated interceptors. In short, they have pushed 
back the frontiers of science and engineering.
    Moreover, the events of the past several years have proven the 
critical importance of missile defenses. Last year in the Gulf war, our 
Patriot system defended our troops and allies from Saddam Hussein's Scud 
missiles. Today, the Russians join us in recognizing the value of 
missile defenses and have expressed interest in a global ballistic 
missile defense system. With the development of the GPALS missile 
defense system, the United States will be able to confront successfully 
the growing dangers of instability and missile proliferation.
    With the passage of the Missile Defense Act in 1991, the Congress 
joined the administration commitment to fielding ballistic missile 
defenses. With continuing support from Congress we can achieve our goal 
and remove the threat of limited ballistic missile strikes for the 
American people and our friends and allies.