    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [May 13, 1995]
    [Pages 686-687]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 13, 1995

        Good morning. It's good to be back home after my trip this week to
    Russia and Ukraine. I went there to join with two of our brave allies in
    World War II to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our victory over
    fascism in Europe.
        Just as we did here at home this week, people all over the world
    remembered the sacrifices that protected our freedom and made our world
    more secure. But I also went on this trip to make Americans more secure
    in the future.
        I want to take a moment to report on some of the highlights of my
    meeting with Russian President Yeltsin that will increase our security.
        First, he agreed to move ahead with Russia's participation in the
    Partnership For Peace. That's the military cooperation program between
    NATO and other European democracies who all pledge to respect each
    other's borders and to work together to strengthen collective security
    in Europe.
        Second, President Yeltsin agreed to cancel the sale of nuclear
    enrichment technology to Iran, which clearly could be used to develop
    nuclear weapons.
        Third, we agreed to ask the special commission headed by Vice
    President Gore and Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin to look into
    whether Russia's sale of nuclear reactors to Iran could help to produce
    nuclear weapons.
        Fourth, we resolved outstanding issues that will help lead Russia to
    close down conventional arms sales to Iran.
        Fifth, we agreed to begin visits to biological weapons factories
    this August as a part of our common efforts to reduce the threat of
    biological and chemical weapons proliferation. This has particular
    importance to us now in the wake of the use of poison gas by a radical
    group in Japan's subways and indications that such groups all over the
    world are working to get access to chemical and biological weapons.
        And sixth, in light of the tragedies in Oklahoma City and Russia's
    plague of organized crime, we agreed to share technology and information
    and law enforcement resources in increasing our common efforts to combat
    terrorism and organized crime.
        One other important decision this week will also help to make this a
    much safer world for many years to come. The United Nations agreed to
    make the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty permanent. This Treaty has
    been our main weapon in limiting the spread of nuclear weapons for 25
    years, and now it will be in effect indefinitely. This was not an easy
    fight to win, and I am very proud that the United States led the effort
    to extend this essential and powerful tool in our common efforts to make
    all Americans and all people throughout the world more secure.
        This week, besides working for a more secure world for Americans,
    we've also worked to open economic opportunities for our people
    throughout the world. The United States is deeply committed to open and
    fair trade among the nations of the world. That's why I have fought so
    hard in the last 2 years for the largest market opening initiatives in
    over a generation: NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement; the
    GATT world trade agreement. I've worked to get our partners through the
    Asia-Pacific region and here in our own hemisphere to commit to free and
    fair trade by certain dates. And that's why I have fought to eliminate
    Japanese trade barriers that shut out competitive American products made
    by skilled American workers.
        We've concluded 14 results-oriented agreements in 27 months to open
    Japan to everything from our apples to our rice, our telecommunications
    equipment to our construction services. And these agreements are
    beginning to pay off in terms of jobs and profits here in America.
        But when it comes to selling cars and auto parts to Japan, we are
    still hitting a brick wall. Foreigners have about 30 percent of our
    market but only 4 percent of Japan's market, both for cars and for car
    parts. We've been hitting that brick wall long enough. Now we must act
    to protect and create American jobs.
        In the United States, auto and auto parts industries employ nearly
    2.5 million Americans and account directly for 5 percent of our total
    economy. But because of all the other products purchased by automakers,
    when we sell more cars, it has a positive ripple effect throughout

    [[Page 687]]

    our economy. Our efforts to open Japan's markets as wide as ours is good
    for American workers and American companies. It's also good for Japanese
    consumers, who today pay much higher prices because of their trade
    barriers.
        Opening Japan's markets is a win-win situation for everyone. But old
    habits and entrenched interests die hard. For more than 20 years, every
    American President has wrestled with this problem. Our administration
    has talked with Japan for 20 months now. But there's a big difference
    between talk and results. I am determined to open Japan's auto market.
    That's why I've asked my administration to draw up a list of potential
    sanctions to impose against Japanese imports. We are prepared to act,
    and we will act soon if we must.
        We don't want a trade conflict with Japan, but we won't hesitate to
    fight for a fair shake for American products. And I want to emphasize
    two things: We seek no special preference for American cars and auto
    products over those of others. We want all, all countries to have equal
    access to Japanese markets. We'll always take our chances with fair
    competition.
        I also want to emphasize that Japan is a valued friend and partner.
    We cooperate on many important issues, including efforts to open trade
    in other areas and to advance our common security interests. Japan
    should join us again. Together we must make sure that the future is not
    only safer and more secure but also prosperous, more prosperous for the
    American people and for people throughout the world.
        Thanks for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 8:50 p.m. on May 12 in the Map Room at
    the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 13.