The strengthening of our arms supply relationship with Morocco has helped to deal with attacks inside its internationally recognized frontiers and to strengthen its confidence in seeking a political settlement of the Western Sahara conflict.  While not assuming a mediatory role, the U.S. encouraged all interested parties to turn their energies to a peaceful and sensible compromise resolution of the war in the Sahara and supported efforts by the Organization of African Unity toward that end.  As the year drew to a close, the U.S. was encouraged by evolution in the attitudes of all sides, and is hopeful that their differences will be peacefully resolved in the year ahead so that the vast economic potential of North Africa can be developed for the well-being of the people living there.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

The principles of our policies in this hemisphere have been clear and constant over the last four years.  We support democracy and respect for human rights.  We have struggled with many to help free the region of both repression and terrorism.  We have respected ideological diversity and opposed outside intervention in purely internal affairs.  We will act, though, in response to a request for assistance by a country threatened by external aggression.  We support social and economic development within a democratic framework.  We support the peaceful settlement of disputes.  We strongly encourage regional cooperation and shared responsibilities within the hemisphere to all these ends, and we have eagerly and regularly sought the advice of the leaders of the region on a wide range of issues.

Last November, I spoke to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States of a cause that has been closest to my heart—­human rights.  It is an issue that has found its time in the hemisphere.  The cause is not mine alone, but an historic movement that will endure.

At Riobamba, Ecuador, last September four Andean Pact countries, Costa Rica, and Panama broke new ground by adopting a “Code of Conduct,” that joint action in defense of human rights does not violate the principles of nonintervention in the internal affairs of states in this hemisphere.  The Organization of American States has twice condemned the coup that overturned the democratic process in Bolivia and the widespread abuse of human rights by the regime which seized power.  The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has gained world acclaim for its dispassionate reports.  It completed two major country studies this year in addition to its annual report.  In a resolution adopted without opposition, the Oas General Assembly in November strongly supported the work of the Commission.  The American Convention on Human Rights is in force and an Inter-American Court has been created to judge human rights violations.  This convention has been pending before the Senate for two years; I hope the United States this year will join the other nations of the hemisphere in ratifying a convention which embodies principles that are our tradition.