Note: This Electronic Research Collection is an archive site. For the most current information, please visit the
U.S. Department of State 93/04/26 Remarks at 4th World Conf. Of National Endowment Office of the Spokesman Remarks by Secretary of State Warren Christopher at the reception for the Fourth World Conference of the National Endowment for Democracy Washington, DC April 26, 1993 Support for Global Human Rights Strengthens Democracy at Home It's a great pleasure for me to be part of this Fourth World Conference of the National Endowment for Democracy. As John [Brademas] rightly says, our Department has benefited greatly by having some people who have had close associations with the National Endowment before joining us. I salute the work of all of you on behalf of democracy. The National Endowment embodies America's broad-based and, as John said, bipartisan support for freedom. The National Endowment's pioneering programs are models of how democratic principles can be given practical expression in every single region of the world. Your creative programs are helping to lay a foundation for tolerant, pluralistic, civil societies. And as I look around the room, of course, I see representatives from so many of the regions giving tangible and practical effect to the commitment of the National Endowment. Two hundred years ago, when the United States was a new nation, our founders called our country a great experiment, a laboratory for democracy. But today, the whole world is a laboratory for democracy. People everywhere are inspired by democratic ideals, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama said to you in his remarks this morning. Among the participants in this conference, for example, are the initiator of a women's organization in Yemen devoted to teaching democratic values, the founder of Africa's first independent radio station, and the Polish coordinator of centers encouraging tolerance throughout Eastern Europe. These and other pathbreakers are creating conditions for worldwide protection and promotion of fundamental freedoms; for the rule of law; for legitimate, political processes; for representative, accountable government; for open legislative processes; for free trade unions; and for independent media. In turn, an ever-widening circle of democracies is forging a freer, more prosperous, and more peaceful international community. It is commonplace to say that we are in an era of profound transition, but, amidst the uncertainty, one thing remains clear: The protection of human rights is the first responsibility of every government. Indeed, the condition of human rights in a country is a good measure of the quality of its government, and the free exercise of human rights is the best safeguard against the abuse of national power. Great strides can be made for democracy and human rights in this new era, nowhere more so than in Russia. Ensuring the success of the Russian people in building an open society and a free and vibrant economy: in my judgment, this is the pre-eminent security challenge of our time. I know that we are all happy that the early returns from yesterday's referendum indicate a victory for democracy and economic reform in Russia. It's reassuring about how democracy works, isn't it? The successful conduct of the referendum, the large turnout by the people of Russia, the apparent direction of the results are all very welcome and are important steps on Russia's road to democracy. The votes of the Russian people are an eloquent statement of their commitment to democracy and free-market principles. I think on this occasion we ought to reach out and give our congratulations and support to the Russian people for what they've done in the vote on Sunday. Of course, our eyes are fully open to the serious problems that lie ahead of us all around the world. Throughout the Soviet bloc, new states are struggling to make the transition from totalitarianism and command economies to democracy and free markets. In other parts of the world, the fate of democracy depends upon how elected governments deal with the almost intractable problems of poverty, population, and the environment. Many nations confront security threats from hostile neighbors, narcotics, and terrorism. At the same time, many nations face enormous developmental challenges ranging from women's literacy to child survival and family planning. These are the reasons why President Clinton has instructed me to ensure that issues of development and democracy-building are effectively integrated into our foreign policy. By defining the rights of the individual wherever he or she may be, Americans reaffirm our own freedom. By supporting young democracies worldwide, we strengthen the world's oldest democracy--our own democracy here in the United States. Here at the State Department, we are establishing under Tim Wirth's able leadership a new Under Secretaryship for global affairs because these cross-cutting issues are vital as we reshape the Department for this new era. I know that he and John Shattuck, our Assistant Secretary- Designate for Human Rights, will move forward with a broad agenda for action. The United States will engage in a comprehensive human rights dialogue with foreign governments all around the world. We will energetically encourage trends toward democracy and open, tolerant, law- based civil societies; and we will also be targeting our foreign assistance accordingly to achieve these goals. I know that many of you here this evening have come at a considerable sacrifice and that your work involves great personal sacrifice and also great courage. Your selfless work is making the world a safer, freer, and better place. President Clinton and I want you to know that in the United States you have a resolute and vigilant friend, and that the United States will be continuing to work for human rights around the world as long as President Clinton is the leader of our country and as long as I am here at the State Department. In closing, I'd like to say that it's very fitting for us to be meeting here in the Ben Franklin Room. Franklin was a consummate democratic activist. In this new, exciting era, we would be wise to emulate Franklin. He was innovative and entrepreneurial. He had courage and vision. He was idealistic, but he was also very practical. He saw democracy as the most sensible means of governing human beings. In Franklin's day, as in ours, there was no guarantee that democracy would succeed. Today, Franklin would be proud. The results of his experiment have never been more promising and the successes never more pervasive. So ladies and gentlemen, the American Government and the American people join you in this great worldwide experiment in democracy--an experiment that will be never-ending and I hope ever more successful. I want to say a word, as I conclude, to many of you around the room. I have been told about your noble achievements. Of course, the purpose of this conference is to share those innovations and share those achievements, because they inspire all of us to continue working for human rights around the world and to continue making the achievements that bring our societies a few steps forward. Step by step we are moving toward greater protection of human rights around the globe. So thank you so much for coming to the State Department tonight. I am honored to have you here. Thank you very much. (###)