We are there, first, because a friendly nation has asked us for help against the Communist aggression.  Ten years ago our President pledged our help.  Three Presidents have supported that pledge.  We will not break it now.

Second, our own security is tied to the peace of Asia.  Twice in one generation we have had to fight against aggression in the Far East.  To ignore aggression now would only increase the danger of a much larger war.

Our goal is peace in southeast Asia.  That will come only when aggressors leave their neighbors in peace.

What is at stake is the cause of freedom and in that cause America will never be found wanting.

THE NON-COMMUNIST WORLD

But communism is not the only source of trouble and unrest.  There are older and deeper sources—­in the misery of nations and in man’s irrepressible ambition for liberty and a better life.

With the free Republics of Latin America I have always felt—­and my country has always felt—­very special ties of interest and affection.  It will be the purpose of my administration to strengthen these ties.  Together we share and shape the destiny of the new world.  In the coming year I hope to pay a visit to Latin America.  And I will steadily enlarge our commitment to the Alliance for Progress as the instrument of our war against poverty and injustice in this hemisphere.

In the Atlantic community we continue to pursue our goal of 20 years—­a Europe that is growing in strength, unity, and cooperation with America.  A great unfinished task is the reunification of Germany through self-determination.

This European policy is not based on any abstract design.  It is based on the realities of common interests and common values, common dangers and common expectations.  These realities will continue to have their way—­especially, I think, in our expanding trade and especially in our common defense.

Free Americans have shaped the policies of the United States.  And because we know these realities, those policies have been, and will be, in the interest of Europe.

Free Europeans must shape the course of Europe.  And, for the same reasons, that course has been, and will be, in our interest and in the interest of freedom.

I found this truth confirmed in my talks with European leaders in the last year.  I hope to repay these visits to some of our friends in Europe this year.

In Africa and Asia we are witnessing the turbulent unfolding of new nations and continents.

We welcome them to the society of nations.

We are committed to help those seeking to strengthen their own independence, and to work most closely with those governments dedicated to the welfare of all of their people.

We seek not fidelity to an iron faith, but a diversity of belief as varied as man himself.  We seek not to extend the power of America but the progress of humanity.  We seek not to dominate others but to strengthen the freedom of all people.