[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[January 19, 1993]
[Pages 2263-2264]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the National Security Strategy Report
January 19, 1993

    Today, as required by the Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reform Act of 
1986, I signed and forwarded to the Congress the National Security 
Strategy Report. This report comes at a particularly important time, 
when the international security environment is in the midst of a 
turbulent transition and when the continuity of America's engagement and 
leadership is perhaps more important than ever before. No other nation 
can provide the same combination of moral, cultural, political, 
economic, and military leadership. No other has won such confidence, 
respect, and trust. If we are to seize the opportunities that will be 
offered and reduce the dangers that will surely confront us in the 
future, America must lead. We must lead because we simply cannot hope to 
achieve a more democratic and peaceful future in a world still rife with 
turmoil and conflict and political or economic isolation. This does not 
mean we aspire to be the world's policeman or that we can postpone 
addressing our own domestic imperatives while we devote attention and 
resources to international demands. It is not an either/or choice. We 
cannot be strong abroad if we are not strong at home. We cannot be 
strong at home if we are not strong and engaged abroad.
    The National Security Strategy Report acknowledges the diverse 
political, economic, and military challenges that America faces, as well 
as the domestic imperatives that define our overall national health. It 
identifies our enduring national security interests and objectives: the 
security of the United States as a free and independent nation; global 
and regional stability; open, democratic, and representative political 
systems worldwide; an open international trading and economic system; 
and an enduring global faith in America.
    The report acknowledges our political achievements over recent years 
and outlines both short- and long-term approaches to promote peace and 
democracy worldwide. It specifically addresses priorities of our 
bilateral efforts as well as initiatives in multinational and regional 
organizations designed to influence the future. Emphasizing the now-
diminishing distinction between domestic and international economic 
policy, it identifies the steps necessary for domestic economic renewal, 
as well as prioritized initiatives to strengthen our international 
economic competitiveness. It also emphasizes the need to reform U.S. 
economic institutions and our bilateral development assistance and to 
expand considerably our efforts in the environment and in space.
    Stressing the continued mandate for secu-

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rity through strength, the report defines four enduring and mutually 
supportive strategic goals: deterrence and the capability to defeat 
aggression should deterrence fail; strengthening our alliance 
arrangements and our preference for multilateral action; maintaining 
stability through forward presence and force projection; and helping to 
preclude conflict and keep the peace. Most important, the report 
identifies a strategy for near-term leadership and outlines ways the 
United States can help influence the future through the United Nations, 
regional organizations, and alliances.
    America has always stood for much more than the sum of its political 
and economic goals and aspirations. We do care about the world around 
us, and our contributions are written in history for all to see. We 
inspire others because of what we have achieved and because of what we 
represent. We have a vision for the future. We seek a world of 
cooperation and progress, not confrontation; a world no longer divided 
but a community of independent and interdependent nations joined 
together by shared values; a world in which the U.S. role is defined by 
what we stand for, freedom, human rights, economic prosperity, the rule 
of law and peace, rather than what we stand against.
    To succeed, our strategy must be more than words on a piece of 
paper. We must have faith, courage, hard work, and inspiration. We must 
continue the dialog and the debate, for that too is what democracy is 
all about. As a nation, let us work together to lead the world toward 
the 21st century, the age of democratic peace. There is no more 
important goal to which we would aspire.