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V. American Leadership In the World -
Promoting Democracy Abroad
"Our efforts to help build more democracies will make us all more
secure, more prosperous, and more successful, as we try to make this era
of terrific change our friend and not our enemy."
-- President Clinton
UN General Assembly, September 26, 1994
Strengthening and expanding the community of democratic nations advances
our national interests and is consistent with American ideals.
Democratic nations are less likely to wage war. They are more likely to
promote open markets and free trade. They are also more likely to
provide people with the economic and political tools to build a future
in their own countries. President Clinton has taken decisive steps to
support democracy in some of the most vital parts of the world.
Specifically, during the past two years, the United States
has:
Helped the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union,
including Russia and Ukraine, to make progress toward democracy and
market reforms.
Supported the democratic and free market transformation of former
communist states in Central and Eastern Europe.
Helped restore democracy and stability in Haiti.
Helped South Africa's transition to democracy with support for
elections and development.
Hosted the Summit of the Americas, the first hemispheric summit in
nearly 30 years -- an unprecedented gathering of the leaders of 34
democratic nations.
The Administration will continue to help expand democracy in ways
that vary in each case, but that share common elements:
We will continue to lead the effort to mobilize international
resources, as was done with Russia, Ukraine, and the other new
independent states.
We will take immediate public positions to help staunch democratic
reversals, as we did in Haiti.
Give democratic nations the fullest benefits of integration into
the world marketplace.
We will help these nations strengthen the pillars of civil society,
open their markets, and address corruption and political discontent
through practices of good governance.