[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 18 (Monday, May 9, 1994)]
[Pages 947-948]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

April 30, 1994

    Good morning. This week all of us watched with wonder as South 
Africa was reborn. Young men carried their elderly fathers on their 
backs to the polling booths; black voters came on crutches and in 
wheelchairs, traveling for miles and waiting for hours in this great 
march to freedom. The miracle of South Africa's rebirth as a nonracial 
democracy is an inspiring testament to the courage and vision of its 
citizens. And I'm proud of America's role in helping to make the miracle 
happen.
    Private citizens, religious leaders, and Members of Congress worked 
for years to rally public opinion and impose economic sanctions against 
Johannesburg. When Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk reached their 
agreements to dismantle apartheid, we were one of the first countries to 
lift sanctions so we could help fuel the recovery of a new South Africa. 
Just in the last year we have supported unprecedented voter education 
and election monitor training programs. And this week I'll be announcing 
a substantial increase in our aid to South Africa to help it navigate a 
new course for all of its people.
    This morning I want to talk about why this kind of vigorous American 
engagement and leadership remains vital not only in South Africa but 
around the globe. Consider the former Yugoslavia, where American 
engagement today is essential. The breakup of that country, inflamed by 
Serbian aggression, has resulted in 3 years of bloodshed and ethnic 
cleansing in Bosnia and elsewhere.
    We have clear interests at stake in helping to bring a peaceful end 
to the Bosnian conflict, an interest in preventing a wider war in 
Europe, an interest in preventing a flood of refugees, an interest in 
maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of NATO as a force for 
peace in the new post-cold-war era, and clearly an interest in helping 
to stop the slaughter of innocent civilians. That's why we've been 
working to spur negotiations among the warring parties, and it's why 
we've harnessed NATO's power in the service of diplomacy.
    In February, at the initiative of the United States, NATO issued an 
ultimatum to Bosnian Serbs against the further shelling of the Bosnian 
capital of Sarajevo. Today, Sarajevo is relatively quiet. It's citizens 
are emerging from the rubble to begin rebuilding their lives.
    Just last week, we and our NATO allies extended a similar ultimatum 
to the besieged town of Gorazde and to five other Muslim majority towns 
the U.N. has designated as safe areas. After weeks of relentless 
shelling, the Serbs have backed off and withdrawn their guns from around 
Gorazde. While new challenges lie ahead in Bosnia, our determination to 
take action along with our NATO allies in support of the U.N. mission 
there clearly generated new progress toward peace.
    In March, Bosnian and Croat leaders came to the White House to sign 
a peace agreement. Since then we've stepped up our diplomatic efforts to 
engage the Serbs as well. As I've said, if the parties in Bosnia can 
negotiate a viable settlement, I will work with the Congress to deploy 
U.S. troops through NATO to help enforce that peace.
    There are other threats today that also demand our active 
engagement, from North Korea's nuclear program to the efforts of Iran 
and other backlash states to sponsor terrorism. We're meeting those 
threats with steadiness and resolve.
    At the same time, we recognize we've entered an age of historic 
opportunity. South Africa's elections offer vivid proof. In the Middle 
East age-old enemies have extended handshakes of reconciliation. In the 
former Soviet Union we're helping to dismantle nuclear weapons once 
aimed at us. And just today, Russia and Latvia signed an historic 
agreement to withdraw remaining Russian military forces from Latvian 
territory by the end of August. These and other promising developments 
were made possible in part by American support and resolve.
    But such engagement requires resources commensurate with our 
challenges. With the cold war behind us, we've been able to reduce 
spending on defense and foreign affairs. We've put those programs under 
tight budgetary constraints. But now we're at the razor's edge of a 
resource crisis. We cannot afford to shortchange our national security. 
That's

[[Page 948]]

why I'm working hard against further cuts in our defense budget and why 
I'm working with Congress to make sure we adequately fund peacekeeping 
and other international efforts that promote the security and prosperity 
of our own people.
    As we approach the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion this June, 
we should recall the spirit of sacrifice and common cause that mark that 
great crusade for freedom in World War II. In 5 weeks I'll travel to 
Europe to commemorate D-Day and to honor those in the Second World War 
who fought to defend our democratic way of life. The world is different 
now, better because of their courage. And we owe it to them to build a 
better future for the next generation.
    As we salute the veterans who will be landing by the thousands in 
Normandy this June and as we celebrate South Africa's elections today, 
let us remember that American leadership in a changing world requires 
sustained commitment. Together, let us shape this new world to our 
lasting benefit.
    Thanks for listening.

Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.