[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.