[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 24, 1992]
[Pages 1973-1974]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the FREEDOM Support Act
October 24, 1992

    Today I have signed into law S. 2532, the ``FREEDOM Support Act.'' 
This historic legislation authorizes a range of programs to support free 
market and democratic reforms being undertaken in Russia, Ukraine, 
Armenia, and the other states of the former Soviet Union. In particular, 
the bill endorses the $12 billion increase in the U.S. share of the 
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and authorizes $410 million in U.S. 
bilateral assistance. In addition, the bill removes a number of outdated 
Cold War legislative restrictions on U.S. relations with the new 
independent states.
    I am proud that the United States has this historic opportunity to 
support democracy and free markets in this crucially important part of 
the world. While it is clear to all that the future of the new 
independent states of the former Soviet Union is in their own hands, 
passage of the FREEDOM Support Act demonstrates the commitment of the 
United States to support this endeavor.
    Once again, the American people have united to advance the cause of 
freedom, to win the peace, to help transform former enemies into 
peaceful partners. This democratic peace will be built on the solid 
foundations of political and economic freedom in Russia and the other 
independent states. We must continue to support reformers in Russia, 
Ukraine, Armenia, and the other new states.
    I am pleased that the bill draws our private sector, as never 
before, into the delivery of technical assistance to Russia and the 
other new states. Various provisions of this bill will call upon the 
specialized skills and expertise of the U.S. private sector. S. 2532 
will provide support for the trade and investment activities of U.S. 
companies to help lay the economic and commercial foundations upon which 
the new democracies will rest. This is an investment in our future as 
well as theirs.
    The IMF quota increase will ensure that the IMF has adequate 
resources to promote free markets in the former Soviet Union and 
elsewhere throughout the world. By contributing to a more prosperous 
world economy, the IMF will expand markets for U.S. exporters and 
increase jobs for American workers.
    This bill will allow us to provide humanitarian assistance during 
the upcoming winter; to support democratic reforms and free market 
systems; to encourage trade and investment; to support the development 
of food distribution systems; to assist in health and human services 
programs; to help overcome problems in energy, civilian nuclear reactor 
safety, transportation, and telecommunications; to assist in dealing 
with dire environmental problems in the region; and to establish a broad 
range of people-to-people exchanges designed to bury forever the 
distrust and misunderstanding that characterized our previous relations 
with the former Soviet Union.
    The bill also provides additional resources and authorities to 
support efforts to destroy nuclear and other weapons, and to convert to 
peaceful purposes the facilities that produce these weapons.
    We undertake these programs of assistance out of a commitment to 
increased security for ourselves, our allies, and the peoples of the new 
independent states. These programs will enhance our security through 
demilitarization and humanitarian and technical assistance.
    A number of provisions in the bill, however, raise constitutional 
concerns. Some provisions purport to direct me or my dele-

[[Page 1974]]

gates with respect to U.S. participation in international institutions. 
Under our constitutional system, the President alone is responsible for 
such matters. I therefore will treat such provisions as advisory.
    Furthermore, the bill could interfere with my supervisory power over 
the executive branch by giving a subordinate official in the Department 
of State the authority to resolve certain interagency disputes and by 
regulating how other agencies handle license applications by the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I will interpret these 
provisions in the light of my constitutional responsibilities.
    The bill also authorizes the creation of supposedly nongovernmental 
entities--the Democracy Corps and a foundation that will conduct 
scientific activities and exchanges--that would be subject to Government 
direction, established to carry out Government policies, and largely 
dependent on Government funding. As I have said before, entities that 
are neither clearly governmental nor clearly private undermine the 
principles of separation of powers and political accountability. In 
determining whether to exercise the authority granted by this bill, I 
will consider, and I direct the Director of the National Science 
Foundation to consider, whether these entities can be established and 
operate in conformity with those principles.
    I also note a concern with the provision under which Freedom of 
Information Act litigation involving the Democracy Corps would be the 
``responsibility'' of the Agency for International Development. This 
responsibility should not be understood in any way to detract from the 
Attorney General's plenary litigating authority. Therefore, I direct the 
Agency for International Development to refer all such matters to the 
Attorney General consistent with his current authority.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
October 24, 1992.

                    Note: S. 2532, the Freedom for Russia and Emerging 
                        Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support 
                        Act of 1992, approved October 24, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-511. This statement was 
                        released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
                        October 25.