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.