Shaping our future: the Denver Summit and beyond

US Department of State Dispatch, May, 1997

Address to the Women's Foundation of Colorado and the Denver Summit Host Committee, Denver, Colorado.

Good afternoon. Governor Romer, Lieutenant Governor Schoetler, Mr. Mayor, members of the summit host committee and the women's foundation, Ambassador Hunt, Under Secretary Tim Wirth, Harold Ickes, and other distinguished guests: I believe it was Dorothy--or perhaps it was Senator Dole--who said it first, about Kansas, but let me say it now about Denver: There's no place like home.

I know President Clinton is looking forward to coming to Denver, and let me offer greetings as well from your former Mayor and my current Cabinet colleague--Federico Penal It really is a pleasure to be back and to see so many friends, old and new.

Earlier, I had the opportunity to visit my old school, where many years ago I started an international affairs club and named myself president. I knew early on that foreign policy was my game, but I never expected that four decades, three daughters, and two grandchildren later I would become Secretary of State, nor that I would be traveling around the world, as I was just this past week, with the President of the United States.

As you may have read, the President was in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to reinforce and protect America's interests along our southern border. As a former professor, I found the trip a fascinating example of what I would call bread-and-butter diplomacy. There was no single, grand agreement but, instead, a host of decisions that will improve the quality of life of people on both sides of our southern border.

Examples include improved cooperation in the war against drugs; agreements on aviation and stolen cars; and a variety of understandings on health, labor, the environment, and energy. These measures with these countries are part of a larger process of integration that I would like to discuss with you today.

But before I do, I would also like to raise the question of resources. Thanks to the past efforts of administrations from both parties and to the courage, energy, and genius of our people, America has reached the threshold of a new century strong, prosperous, respected, and at peace. This is no accident, and its continuation is not inevitable. Democratic progress, rising standards of living, and increased security must be sustained as they were created--through American leadership.

But we cannot lead without tools. Accordingly, I urge you, as I have urged Americans across this country, to support the President's request to fully fund our international affairs programs. That request covers everything from helping refugees to checking visa applications to negotiating arms reductions, and it is equal to only about 1% of our federal budget. But that 1% may determine 50% of the history that is written about our era, and it will affect the lives of 100% of the American people.

With your support and that of Congress, we have an unprecedented opportunity to shape a future in which nations increasingly come together around basic principles of democracy, open markets, and the rule of law.

We are pursuing that goal by adapting key institutions and alliances, building strong relationships with the world's major powers, and drawing a clear line between behavior that should be accepted by the international community and behavior that should not.

That is why we are working with our allies to build a NATO strengthened by new members and trained for new missions. It is why we have worked with friends in Asia to freeze North Korea's nuclear program and prepare the way for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. It is why we stand with the peacemakers against the bomb-throwers in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and other troubled regions of the world. And it is why we are placing a high priority on the Summit of the Eight to be held here in Denver next month.

Your city can be proud that you will during that summit be playing host to history. For the first time, Russia will be virtually a full participant in the discussions of what--until now--has been known as the Group of Seven. This reflects the process of inclusion highlighted by President Clinton at the Helsinki Summit in March. And it demonstrates that we are truly building a new future for Europe; a future in which every democracy--including Russia--is our partner and every partner is a builder of peace.

There are many international organizations and arrangements in the world, but the Group of Seven, plus Russia, stands out because of the economic and political clout of its members. When these countries agree to act together, for peace, for economic security, for human rights or on other initiatives, it can make a real difference, elevating standards and influencing policies around the globe.

For example, here in Denver next month, President Clinton and the other heads of state will be looking for ways to enhance cooperation in responding to the threat of international terror. They will be discussing strategies for fighting and defeating organized crime, which has extended its tentacles around the world and is corrupting democracies, fostering violence, and poisoning our children through the deadly flow of drugs.