TNAG-2469-FCO40-3593-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-Hong-Kong-interests-1992 — Page 272

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ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR BILL CLINTON "DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA"

PABST THEATER

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992

GOV. CLINTON:

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(Applause) Thank you very much. I want to thank Carol Bowman (sp) and the Institute of World Affairs for hosting us here. I want to say how delighted I am to be in this magnificent theater and this wonderful city. I want to say a special word of thanks to the Mayor of Milwaukee, John Norquist, for his outstanding work (applause) to bring together representatives of all racial and ethnic groups and to promote the preservation of the cultures of this great American city. also want to say a special word of homage to George Kennon (sp), a native of this city for the work that he did and has done over the entire 20th century to support freedom and democracy. And finally, I would just like to thank all of you who have come here. I am not exactly sure of what the number is, but I am sure there are representatives of at least 35 different racial and ethnic groups in this audience today representing not only the future of democracy in America, but the future of democracy in the world.

I want to talk today about an idea that is at the heart of this campaign and at the center of my vision for our country and our world, an idea that generations of people around the world have fought and died for and lived by, and American idea called democracy."

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GREEKS)

I know we may have more immediate problems on our minds, but even at a time when America's needs here at home are crying for more attention, we cannot forget that the person we elect to lead America will also be the protector of our interests and the champion of our values around the world. Democracy has always been our nation's perfecting impulse. It transformed us from a nation of slavery to a land of civil rights, from a land of male suffrage to a land of universal suffrage, and now it is transforming the entire world.

Many of you here in this audience have taken part in this democratic revolution. Your contributions to the nation have been matched by your devotion to the cause of freedom abroad. Here at home you've built schools, research institutions and libraries that have preserved your cultures, your values and your faith. You've raised your children to be proud of their heritage. As the freedom movements in your homelands have gained strength, you have marched and organized. As the voice of Pope Johr Paul II gave that movement inspiration, so you gave your moral and your financial support to Solidarnosc in Poland. You helped keep Rukh alive in Ukraine, Sajudis in Lithuania, and the pro-democracy movement in China as the freedom loving people in each of those nations rose up to challenge Communist orthodoxy.

You stood behind those in this hemisphere and in Africa who fought to gain and preserve their freedom. You have been stalwart in your support for our democratic ally, Israel. Your passionate commitment to democracy has helped carry the torch of freedom both here and abroad.

Many factors contributed to the downfall of the Soviet Empire, 'but the decisive blow was clearly delivered by the peoples imprisoned within it.