Speech #920318763

The Presidents trip to mainland China. and the subsequent trip of the leaders of Congress. while they could not result in immediate total accord between the two nations. greatly increased the possibility of rational exploration of matters of mutual concern which could lead to normalized relations between the two countries. The Presidents trip to Moscow and the later ratification by Congress of the agreements limiting the proliferation of offensive and defensive strategic nuclear arms signed there provided an historic and tangible step forward for world peace. The prospect of greatly increased EastWest trade raised by the United StatesRussian trade talksthough dimmed by the onerous exit tax on minorities seeking to emigrate from the U.S.S.R.-suggests the strong possibility of building ties of mutual economic interest which could provide strong support for the maintenance of peace between nations. Southeast Asia remained the glaring tragedy in our international position in 1972. The President wisely carried out the continued massive withdrawal of ground forces.