America’s foreign policy is once again based on bipartisanship, on realism, strength, full partnership, in consultation with our allies, and constructive negotiation with potential adversaries.  From the Middle East to southern Africa to Geneva, American diplomats are taking the initiative to make peace and lower arms levels.  We should be proud of our role as peacemakers.

In the Middle East last year, the United States played the major role in ending the tragic fighting in Lebanon and negotiated the withdrawal of the PLO from Beirut.

Last September, I outlined principles to carry on the peace process begun so promisingly at Camp David.  All the people of the Middle East should know that in the year ahead we will not flag in our efforts to build on that foundation to bring them the blessings of peace.

In Central America and the Caribbean Basin, we are likewise engaged in a partnership for peace, prosperity, and democracy.  Final passage of the remaining portions of our Caribbean Basin Initiative, which passed the House last year, is one of this administration’s top legislative priorities for 1983.

The security and economic assistance policies of this administration in Latin America and elsewhere are based on realism and represent a critical investment in the future of the human race.  This undertaking is a joint responsibility of the executive and legislative branches, and I’m counting on the cooperation and statesmanship of the Congress to help us meet this essential foreign policy goal.

At the heart of our strategy for peace is our relationship with the Soviet Union.  The past year saw a change in Soviet leadership.  We’re prepared for a positive change in Soviet-American relations.  But the Soviet Union must show by deeds as well as words a sincere commitment to respect the rights and sovereignty of the family of nations.  Responsible members of the world community do not threaten or invade their neighbors.  And they restrain their allies from aggression.

For our part, we’re vigorously pursuing arms reduction negotiations with the Soviet Union.  Supported by our allies, we’ve put forward draft agreements proposing significant weapon reductions to equal and verifiable lower levels.  We insist on an equal balance of forces.  And given the overwhelming evidence of Soviet violations of international treaties concerning chemical and biological weapons, we also insist that any agreement we sign can and will be verifiable.

In the case of intermediate-range nuclear forces, we have proposed the complete elimination of the entire class of land-based missiles.  We’re also prepared to carefully explore serious Soviet proposals.  At the same time, let me emphasize that allied steadfastness remains a key to achieving arms reductions.

With firmness and dedication, we’ll continue to negotiate.  Deep down, the Soviets must know it’s in their interest as well as ours to prevent a wasteful arms race.  And once they recognize our unshakable resolve to maintain adequate deterrence, they will have every reason to join us in the search for greater security and major arms reductions.  When that moment comes—­and I’m confident that it will—­we will have taken an important step toward a more peaceful future for all the world’s people.