    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [September 30, 1993]
    [Pages 1641-1642]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Foreign Operations Appropriations Legislation
    September 30, 1993

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 2295, the Foreign Operations
    Appropriations Act, which includes $2.5 billion in assistance for Russia
    and the other new independent states of the former Soviet Union. I am
    grateful for the bipartisan cooperation by the leadership and many other
    members of Congress who acted quickly to pass this package of
    assistance.
        Enactment of this bill marks a major advance in our strategy to
    enlarge the world's free com-

    [[Page 1642]]

    munity of market democracies.
        This bill also contains vital support for Israel and Egypt and other
    measures related to the Middle East peace process. The Congress's timely
    passage of these provisions, soon after the dramatic advances of the
    past few weeks, shows our Nation's commitment to peace in the Middle
    East.
        The elements of the bill supporting Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, and
    the other new independent states include: the U.S. contribution for a
    multilateral Special Privatization and Restructuring Program, a G-7
    initiative that will support the privatization of large Russian
    enterprises; financing for joint projects in the energy and
    environmental sectors, including programs to increase the safety of
    nuclear reactors; expansion of the President's Democracy Corps
    initiative begun at the Vancouver Summit; and humanitarian assistance
    for those parts of the former Soviet Union where food and medicines are
    still desperately needed.
        Recent events in Moscow highlight the urgency of helping Russia and
    the other states of the former Soviet Union sustain the momentum of
    democratic and economic reform. This bill makes a solid investment in
    our own national security and prosperity, enabling us to reduce the
    amount we spend for national defense while offering a hand of
    partnership to former adversaries who are making the difficult
    transition to the institutions of market democracy.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    September 30, 1993.

    Note: H.R. 2295, approved September 30, was assigned Public Law No. 103-
    87.