We look forward to the enactment of a responsible clean air act to increase jobs while continuing to improve the quality of our air.  We’re encouraged by the bipartisan initiative of the House and are hopeful of further progress as the Senate continues its deliberations.

So far, I’ve concentrated largely, now, on domestic matters.  To view the state of the Union in perspective, we must not ignore the rest of the world.  There isn’t time tonight for a lengthy treatment of social—­or foreign policy, I should say, a subject I intend to address in detail in the near future.  A few words, however, are in order on the progress we’ve made over the past year, reestablishing respect for our nation around the globe and some of the challenges and goals that we will approach in the year ahead.

At Ottawa and Cancun, I met with leaders of the major industrial powers and developing nations.  Now, some of those I met with were a little surprised that I didn’t apologize for America’s wealth.  Instead, I spoke of the strength of the free marketplace system and how that system could help them realize their aspirations for economic development and political freedom.  I believe lasting friendships were made, and the foundation was laid for future cooperation.

In the vital region of the Caribbean Basin, we’re developing a program of aid, trade, and investment incentives to promote self-sustaining growth and a better, more secure life for our neighbors to the south.  Toward those who would export terrorism and subversion in the Caribbean and elsewhere, especially Cuba and Libya, we will act with firmness.

Our foreign policy is a policy of strength, fairness, and balance.  By restoring America’s military credibility, by pursuing peace at the negotiating table wherever both sides are willing to sit down in good faith, and by regaining the respect of America’s allies and adversaries alike, we have strengthened our country’s position as a force for peace and progress in the world.

When action is called for, we’re taking it.  Our sanctions against the military dictatorship that has attempted to crush human rights in Poland—­and against the Soviet regime behind that military dictatorship—­clearly demonstrated to the world that America will not conduct “business as usual” with the forces of oppression.  If the events in Poland continue to deteriorate, further measures will follow.

Now, let me also note that private American groups have taken the lead in making January 30th a day of solidarity with the people of Poland.  So, too, the European Parliament has called for March 21st to be an international day of support for Afghanistan.  Well, I urge all peace-loving peoples to join together on those days, to raise their voices, to speak and pray for freedom.

Meanwhile, we’re working for reduction of arms and military activities, as I announced in my address to the Nation last November 18th.  We have proposed to the Soviet Union a far-reaching agenda for mutual reduction of military forces and have already initiated negotiations with them in Geneva on intermediate-range nuclear forces.  In those talks it is essential that we negotiate from a position of strength.  There must be a real incentive for the Soviets to take these talks seriously.  This requires that we rebuild our defenses.