Disabled American Veterans - Kansas City, Kansas, 5 May 1979

Item

Other Media

c019_025_005_001_tr

Transcription (Scripto)

Read Full Text Only

Extent (Dublin Core)

11 Pages

Item Archival Status (Curation)

In American Congress Digital Archives Portal

File Name (Dublin Core)

c019_025_005_001

Title (Dublin Core)

Disabled American Veterans - Kansas City, Kansas, 5 May 1979

Description (Dublin Core)

Remarks of Senator Dole on disabled American veterans. He discusses the state of global and domestic politics, the Vietnam War, and national security.

Date (Dublin Core)

1979-05-05

Date Created (Dublin Core)

1979-05-05

Congress (Dublin Core)

96th (1979-1981)

Topics (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valueDisabled veterans

See all items with this valuePeople with disabilities

See all items with this valueVeterans

See all items with this valueVietnam War, 1961-1975

Policy Area (Curation)

International Affairs

Creator (Dublin Core)

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Record Type (Dublin Core)

speech (document)

Names (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valueDisabled American Veterans

See all items with this valueDole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Location representation (Dublin Core)

Kansas (state)

Kansas City (inhabited place)

Viet Nam (nation)

Iran (nation)

Southern Africa (general region)

Africa (continent)

Rhodesia (general region)

Panama Canal (canal)

Panama (nation)

Soviet Union (former nation/state/empire)

Rights (Dublin Core)

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Language (Dublin Core)

eng

Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core)

https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=52&q=

Physical Location (Dublin Core)

Collection 019, Box 25, Folder 5

Institution (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Archival Collection (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Speeches Collection, 1958-1996

Full Text (Extract Text)

REMARKS OF SENATOR BOB DOLE
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
MAY 5 1979

I'M DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON, AND TO RENEW THE TIES OF FRIENDSHIP AND MEMORY THAT UNITE US. I'D LIKE
TO TALK FOR A FEW MINUTES ABOUT PEACE -- WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN'T.
WE HAVE SEEN WAR FIRSTHAND. WE HAVF WATCHED MEN DIE AT OUR FEET. WE CARRY THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SCARS OF COMBAT. WHO OF OUR GENERATION MORE PROFOUNDLY DETEST THE HORRORS OF WARFARE? WHO MORE SINCERELY LONGS FOR PEACE, FOR THE PEACE THAT LASTS, THE PFACE CONSTRUCTED ON A FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN STRENGTH AND PURPOSE.

-2-
IN THIS NUCLEAR AGE, WHEN SCIENCE HAS DEVISED AND POLITICS HAS PUT INTO PLACE THE FORCES OF MASS ANNIHILATION A FEW GREAT POWERS HOLD IN THEIR HANDS THE FATE OF ALL MANKIND. SUCH IS THE ORDEAL OF LEADERSHIP IN THE MODERN ERA. IT DEMANDS FROM US SACRIFICE. AND IT CALLS FOR A NEW BIPARTISAN SPIRIT UNITED AROUND STRONG PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP IN THE PURSUIT OF CERTAIN VITAL AND LEGITIMATE AMERICAN INTERESTS. IT IS THAT SPIRIT I WISH TO CALL FOR THIS AFTERNOON.
PULLING BACK TO IMPOTENCE
IN THE WAKE OF THE VIETNAM WAR, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS DECIDED THAT NEO-ISOLATIONISM WAS THE ONLY COURSE THAT COULD PRESERVE PEACE. TO THOSE AMERICANS, ANY SIGN OF ASSERTIVE FOREIGN POLICY COULD BE EQUATED WITH INTELLECTUAL MACHISMO. THEY CONFUSED ASSERTIVE DIPLOMACY WITH SENDING IN THE MARINES.

-3-
AT THE SAME TIME, CONFIDENCE IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAS BEEN ERODING AT AN ALARMING RATE FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS. JIMMY CARTER DIDN'T START THE TREND, BUT NEITHER HAS HE STOPPED IT. VIETNAM ACCELERATED THIS PROCESS, AS DID WATERGATE. BUT SUCH EROSION -- WHILE NOT NECESSARILY RELATED DIRECTLY TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS -- BECOMES A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER WHEN IT SPREADS TO THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN POLICY. IT CAN POISON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY PRESIDENT AND UNDERMINE OUR CREDIBILITY WITH ALLIES AND ENEMIES ALIKE
THE COMBINED EFFECT OF ALL THIS HAS BEEN A KIND OF SELF-IMPOSED IMPOTENCE. AMERICA HAS RETREATED INTO AN UNCERTAIN SHELL. SHE HAS EMBRACED TIMIDITY OVER COURAGE, IN THE VAIN CONVICTION
THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL PASS US BY IF ONLY WE WOULD REFRAIN FROM CAUSING TROUBLE.

-4-
NOT EVERYONE IN WASHINGTON IS WILLING TO ADOPT SO DOCILE AN OUTLOOK. MANY MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES ARE TAKIMG ISSUE WITH THE CONFUSING AND CONTRADICTORY ATTEMPTS OF THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION TO FORMULATE AND CARRY OUT A FOREIGN POLICY. WHO, FOR INSTANCE, IS CALLING THE SHOTS ON NEGOTIATIONS FOR MEXICAN GAS AND OIL? THE PRESIDENT, OR ENERGY SECRETARY SCHLESINGER? YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE.
THEN THERE'S AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG, WHO APPEARS OMNIPOTENT WHEN IT COMES TO SOUTHERN AFRICA. IT WAS ALSO AMBASSADOR YOUNG WHO, WHEN PRIME MINISTER BAKTIAR WAS INSTALLED AS IRAN'S LAST BEST HOPE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERMMENT, TOLD ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN THAT THE AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI WAS A MODERN SAINT -- AND WHO LOCKED OUR GOVERNMENT INTO INFLEXIBLE OPPOSITION TO ANY SETTLEMENT OF THE RHODESIAN PROBLEM -- EVEN ONE EMBRACED BY A MAJORITY OF BLACK AND WHITE RHODESIANS.
IS IT ANY WONDER THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD SEEMS CONFUSED BY AMERICA'S INTENTIONS?

-5-
RESTORING A CREDIBLE DEFENSE
FACTS ARE FACTS, AND THE FACTS OF CURRENT AMERICAN PREPAREDNESS ARE HARDLY ENCOURAGING. JUST THREE YEARS AGO, A WIDESPREAD CONSENSUS EXISTED IN SUPPORT OF THE FORD ADMINISTRATION'S CALL
FOR A 5 TO 6 PERCENT REAL GROWTH IN THE ANNUAL DEFENSE BUDGET. INSTEAD OF THIS INCREASE, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN DEFENSE BUDGETS THAT AVERAGE A 2 PERCENT DECLINE IN REAL SPENDING.
THE DANGERS DON'T END THERE: AMERICAN FORCES IN EUROPE ARE SUPPLIED WITH MECHANIZED INFANTRY VEHICLES 20 YEARS BEHIND THEIR SOVIET ADVERSARIES. THE AMERICAN NAVY HAS FEWER THAN 400 SHIPS LEFT IN THE ACTIVE FLEET, WHILE THE FIVE YEAR SHIPBUILDING PROGRAM PRESENTED TO CONGRESS BY PRESIDENT FORD IN JANUARY, 1977 IS LEFT TO GATHER DUST. THE B-1 BOMBER IS DROPPED, THE TOMAHAWK CRUISE MISSILE DEFERRED, THE MX MISSILE LANGUISHES.

-6-
THF LEADERSHIP VACUUM
THROUGH ALL THIS, WE CAN HEAR FROM THE LEFT IN THIS COUNTRY THE RECURRENT THEME -- AMERICA IS AN INTERNATIONAL TROUBLEMAKER. STRIP HER PRESIDENT OF HIS AUTHORITY TO ACT, REDUCE THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT TO NEAR-IMPOTENCE -- THEN, SAY THE NEW ISOLATIONISTS, THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL INTERNATIONAL PEACE BE SECURED.
WELL, AMERICA IS NOT AN INTERNATIONAL TROUBLEMAKER.

AMERICA REMAINS, NOW AS IN THE PAST, THE ONLY PROTECTOR OF THAT SUNLIT PORTION OF MANKIND THAT KNOWS, OR HOPES TO KNOW, FREEDOM. AMERICA IS THE ULTIMATE BULWARK AGAINST TOTALITARIAN TYRANNY. I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN THAT FACT, EVEN IF SOME FOREIGN POLICYMAKERS HAVE.

-7-
I DO NOT CRITICIZE THE PRESIDENT OUT OF POLITICAL SELFISHNESS.
I DO NOT HESITATE TO CRITICIZE MEMBERS OF MY OWN PARTY FOR VOTING TO ABANDON THE PANAMA CANAL AT A TIME WHEN AMERICA WAS PERCEIVED BY FRIEND AND FOE ALIKE TO BE IN RETREAT FROM ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS. PANAMA REPRESENTED A DANGEROUS MISUSE OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN FOREIGN POLICY.
VOTE TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT ON PANAMA, WE WERE TOLD, OR HE WILL LOSE HIS CREDIBILITY TO CONDUCT FOREIGN AFFAIRS. WELL, HE WON THAT VOTE, AND DOES AMYOME SERIOUSLY SUGGEST THAT OUR FOREIGN POLICY IS ANY MORE CREDIBLE TODAY THAN IT WAS A YEAR AGO?
THE ISSUE HERE IS LARGER THAN ONE MAN. THE NEW BIPARTISANSHIP PREFERS ACTION TO INACTION, ADVANCE TO RETREAT. IT BELIEVES IN A MILITARY DEFENSE SECOND TO NONE, FOR MILITARY STRENGTH IS RESPECTED MORE THAN PIOUS PLEDGES AND RHETORIC UNCONNECTED TO REALITY. SUCH OBJECTIVES COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IF THE PRESIDENCY WERE AGAIN THE CORNERSTONE OF COHERENT AND FARSIGHTED LEADERSHIP.

-8-
SALT AND THE QUEST FOR PEACE
SO LET ME TURN BRIEFLY TO THE SALT II TREATY, AND THE DEBATE ABOUT TO GET UNDERWAY IN THE SENATE AND THE COUNTRY.
THIS ISSUE WILL SURELY BE ONE OF THE MAJOR TESTS I WILL FACE AS A SENATOR AND A REPUBLICAN SPOKESMAN. NOT HAVING READ THE TREATY, WHICH HAS YET TO BE MADE PUBLIC I HAVE NOT FORMULATED A FIRM POSITION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I REMAIN OPEN-MINDED. I ALSO REMAIN WARY OF ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY RELY UPON SOVIET HONOR FOR ENFORCEMENT.
THEIR PAST RECORD, THEIR WHOLE MODE OF OPERATION INSTILLS LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN THE KREMLIN LEADERS' COMPLIANCE.
HISTORY HAS TAUGHT THIS SENATOR TO RE WARY OF MAKING ANY AGREEMENT WITH THE SOVIETS THAT DOES NOT CARRY WITHIN ITS FRAMEWORK A GUARANTEED PROCESS OF VERIFICATION. I PLEDGE TO YOU TODAY TO FIGHT HARD FOR SUCH INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION. IF I DON'T GET IT, THEN I WON'T GO ALONG WITH SALT II.

-9-
OUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO NATIONAL SECURITY. HAVING STUDIED THE PROSPECTIVE TREATY WITH EXPERTS LIKE HENRY KISSINGER, GENERAL ALEXANDER HAIG AND FORMER BRITISH DISARMAMENT MINISTER LORD CHALFONT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT IS IMPERFECT AT BEST. IT ALLOWS THE RUSSIANS TO MAITAIN THEIR STRONG ADVANTAGE IN THROWWEIGHT AND HEAVY MISSILES. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THEIR BACKFIRE BOMBER FORCE, WHILE THE U.S. IS COMPELLED TO INCLUDE B-52'S
IF WE HAD SOME GUARANTEE THAT THE SOVIET UNION WOULD REDUCE ITS FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO MILITARY DEVELOPMENT, IF WE HAD SOME CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT THE SOVIETS WERE NOT DETERMINED TO FORGE EVEN FURTHER AHEAD OF THE UNITED STATES IN MILITARY MIGHT, IF WE COULD BELIEVE THE SOVIET CLAIMS OF INNOCENCE ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES IN AFRICA AND ASIA -- THEN I MIGHT BE LESS ANXIOUS LEST SALT II SIGNIFY AMERICA'S WITHDRAWAL FROM WORLD LEADERSHIP.

-10-
BUT THE TREATY IS NOT BEING CONSIDERED IN A VACUUM. WE HAVE NO SUCH GUARANTEES FROM THE SOVIETS. WE HAVE INSTEAD, COLD, HARD FACTS AND FIGURES THAT POINT TO AN ALARMING DECLINE IN OUR OWN DEFENSE SPENDING, WHILE THE RUSSIANS STEP UP THEIR EFFORT TO ATTAIN STRATEGIC SUPERIORITY.
WITH SUCH A BLEAK PROSPECT STARING US IN THE FACE, ANY ARMS LIMITATION TREATY MUST BE EXAMINED WITH THE GLOBAL PICTURE IN MIND.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE NEW SALT TREATY -- I SUPPORTED THE FIRST ONE. BUT SUCH SUPPORT WILL COME ONLY WHEN I AM CONVINCED THAT IT MEETS OUR NATIONAL SECURITY NEFDS.

-11-
SALT II OUGHT NOT TO BE ROMANTICIZED. IT OUGHT NOT TO BE SOLD LIKE SOME DIPLOMATIC SNAKE OIL, GUARANTEED TO PRODUCE MIRACLES AMONG NATIONS AND MAKE THE WORLD SAFE FOR THE PEACELOVERS.
IT SHOULD BE APPROVED ONLY IF WE MAKE CERTAIN IT WILL STRENGTHEN THE FORCES OF PEACE AND STABILIZE THE BALANCE OF POWER. ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE A BETRAYAL OF THE NATION WE LOVE, OF THE CHILDREN WHOSE FUTURES ARE AT STAKE, OF ALL THAT WE HONOR IN OUR HERITAGE. SALT IS A CRITICAL TEST FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. MORE IMPORTANT, IT IS A TEST FOR THE NATION. TODAY I CALL UPON YOU -- WHO KNOW THE AGONIES OF WAR FIRSTHAND -- TO JOIN WITH ME AND OTHERS -- DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS -- TO FORGE A NEW BIPARTISANSHIP FOR AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. IT IS BASED ON A BELIEF IN OUR MISSION AS FREEDOM'S GUARDIAN. IT IS ROOTED IN A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE AND A CLEAR SENSE OF WHAT GOOD CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE CAREFUL PROMOTION OF A POLICY OF PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.
I CALL ON YOU TO BE PARTISANS FOR PEACE.

REMARKS OF SENATOR BOB DOLE
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
MAY 5 1979

I'M DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON, AND TO RENEW THE TIES OF FRIENDSHIP AND MEMORY THAT UNITE US. I'D LIKE
TO TALK FOR A FEW MINUTES ABOUT PEACE -- WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN'T.
WE HAVE SEEN WAR FIRSTHAND. WE HAVF WATCHED MEN DIE AT OUR FEET. WE CARRY THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SCARS OF COMBAT. WHO OF OUR GENERATION MORE PROFOUNDLY DETEST THE HORRORS OF WARFARE? WHO MORE SINCERELY LONGS FOR PEACE, FOR THE PEACE THAT LASTS, THE PFACE CONSTRUCTED ON A FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN STRENGTH AND PURPOSE.

-2-
IN THIS NUCLEAR AGE, WHEN SCIENCE HAS DEVISED AND POLITICS HAS PUT INTO PLACE THE FORCES OF MASS ANNIHILATION A FEW GREAT POWERS HOLD IN THEIR HANDS THE FATE OF ALL MANKIND. SUCH IS THE ORDEAL OF LEADERSHIP IN THE MODERN ERA. IT DEMANDS FROM US SACRIFICE. AND IT CALLS FOR A NEW BIPARTISAN SPIRIT UNITED AROUND STRONG PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP IN THE PURSUIT OF CERTAIN VITAL AND LEGITIMATE AMERICAN INTERESTS. IT IS THAT SPIRIT I WISH TO CALL FOR THIS AFTERNOON.
PULLING BACK TO IMPOTENCE
IN THE WAKE OF THE VIETNAM WAR, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS DECIDED THAT NEO-ISOLATIONISM WAS THE ONLY COURSE THAT COULD PRESERVE PEACE. TO THOSE AMERICANS, ANY SIGN OF ASSERTIVE FOREIGN POLICY COULD BE EQUATED WITH INTELLECTUAL MACHISMO. THEY CONFUSED ASSERTIVE DIPLOMACY WITH SENDING IN THE MARINES.

-3-
AT THE SAME TIME, CONFIDENCE IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAS BEEN ERODING AT AN ALARMING RATE FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS. JIMMY CARTER DIDN'T START THE TREND, BUT NEITHER HAS HE STOPPED IT. VIETNAM ACCELERATED THIS PROCESS, AS DID WATERGATE. BUT SUCH EROSION -- WHILE NOT NECESSARILY RELATED DIRECTLY TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS -- BECOMES A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER WHEN IT SPREADS TO THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN POLICY. IT CAN POISON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY PRESIDENT AND UNDERMINE OUR CREDIBILITY WITH ALLIES AND ENEMIES ALIKE
THE COMBINED EFFECT OF ALL THIS HAS BEEN A KIND OF SELF-IMPOSED IMPOTENCE. AMERICA HAS RETREATED INTO AN UNCERTAIN SHELL. SHE HAS EMBRACED TIMIDITY OVER COURAGE, IN THE VAIN CONVICTION
THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL PASS US BY IF ONLY WE WOULD REFRAIN FROM CAUSING TROUBLE.

-4-
NOT EVERYONE IN WASHINGTON IS WILLING TO ADOPT SO DOCILE AN OUTLOOK. MANY MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES ARE TAKIMG ISSUE WITH THE CONFUSING AND CONTRADICTORY ATTEMPTS OF THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION TO FORMULATE AND CARRY OUT A FOREIGN POLICY. WHO, FOR INSTANCE, IS CALLING THE SHOTS ON NEGOTIATIONS FOR MEXICAN GAS AND OIL? THE PRESIDENT, OR ENERGY SECRETARY SCHLESINGER? YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE.
THEN THERE'S AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG, WHO APPEARS OMNIPOTENT WHEN IT COMES TO SOUTHERN AFRICA. IT WAS ALSO AMBASSADOR YOUNG WHO, WHEN PRIME MINISTER BAKTIAR WAS INSTALLED AS IRAN'S LAST BEST HOPE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERMMENT, TOLD ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN THAT THE AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI WAS A MODERN SAINT -- AND WHO LOCKED OUR GOVERNMENT INTO INFLEXIBLE OPPOSITION TO ANY SETTLEMENT OF THE RHODESIAN PROBLEM -- EVEN ONE EMBRACED BY A MAJORITY OF BLACK AND WHITE RHODESIANS.
IS IT ANY WONDER THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD SEEMS CONFUSED BY AMERICA'S INTENTIONS?

-5-
RESTORING A CREDIBLE DEFENSE
FACTS ARE FACTS, AND THE FACTS OF CURRENT AMERICAN PREPAREDNESS ARE HARDLY ENCOURAGING. JUST THREE YEARS AGO, A WIDESPREAD CONSENSUS EXISTED IN SUPPORT OF THE FORD ADMINISTRATION'S CALL
FOR A 5 TO 6 PERCENT REAL GROWTH IN THE ANNUAL DEFENSE BUDGET. INSTEAD OF THIS INCREASE, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN DEFENSE BUDGETS THAT AVERAGE A 2 PERCENT DECLINE IN REAL SPENDING.
THE DANGERS DON'T END THERE: AMERICAN FORCES IN EUROPE ARE SUPPLIED WITH MECHANIZED INFANTRY VEHICLES 20 YEARS BEHIND THEIR SOVIET ADVERSARIES. THE AMERICAN NAVY HAS FEWER THAN 400 SHIPS LEFT IN THE ACTIVE FLEET, WHILE THE FIVE YEAR SHIPBUILDING PROGRAM PRESENTED TO CONGRESS BY PRESIDENT FORD IN JANUARY, 1977 IS LEFT TO GATHER DUST. THE B-1 BOMBER IS DROPPED, THE TOMAHAWK CRUISE MISSILE DEFERRED, THE MX MISSILE LANGUISHES.

-6-
THF LEADERSHIP VACUUM
THROUGH ALL THIS, WE CAN HEAR FROM THE LEFT IN THIS COUNTRY THE RECURRENT THEME -- AMERICA IS AN INTERNATIONAL TROUBLEMAKER. STRIP HER PRESIDENT OF HIS AUTHORITY TO ACT, REDUCE THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT TO NEAR-IMPOTENCE -- THEN, SAY THE NEW ISOLATIONISTS, THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL INTERNATIONAL PEACE BE SECURED.
WELL, AMERICA IS NOT AN INTERNATIONAL TROUBLEMAKER.

AMERICA REMAINS, NOW AS IN THE PAST, THE ONLY PROTECTOR OF THAT SUNLIT PORTION OF MANKIND THAT KNOWS, OR HOPES TO KNOW, FREEDOM. AMERICA IS THE ULTIMATE BULWARK AGAINST TOTALITARIAN TYRANNY. I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN THAT FACT, EVEN IF SOME FOREIGN POLICYMAKERS HAVE.

-7-
I DO NOT CRITICIZE THE PRESIDENT OUT OF POLITICAL SELFISHNESS.
I DO NOT HESITATE TO CRITICIZE MEMBERS OF MY OWN PARTY FOR VOTING TO ABANDON THE PANAMA CANAL AT A TIME WHEN AMERICA WAS PERCEIVED BY FRIEND AND FOE ALIKE TO BE IN RETREAT FROM ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS. PANAMA REPRESENTED A DANGEROUS MISUSE OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN FOREIGN POLICY.
VOTE TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT ON PANAMA, WE WERE TOLD, OR HE WILL LOSE HIS CREDIBILITY TO CONDUCT FOREIGN AFFAIRS. WELL, HE WON THAT VOTE, AND DOES AMYOME SERIOUSLY SUGGEST THAT OUR FOREIGN POLICY IS ANY MORE CREDIBLE TODAY THAN IT WAS A YEAR AGO?
THE ISSUE HERE IS LARGER THAN ONE MAN. THE NEW BIPARTISANSHIP PREFERS ACTION TO INACTION, ADVANCE TO RETREAT. IT BELIEVES IN A MILITARY DEFENSE SECOND TO NONE, FOR MILITARY STRENGTH IS RESPECTED MORE THAN PIOUS PLEDGES AND RHETORIC UNCONNECTED TO REALITY. SUCH OBJECTIVES COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IF THE PRESIDENCY WERE AGAIN THE CORNERSTONE OF COHERENT AND FARSIGHTED LEADERSHIP.

-8-
SALT AND THE QUEST FOR PEACE
SO LET ME TURN BRIEFLY TO THE SALT II TREATY, AND THE DEBATE ABOUT TO GET UNDERWAY IN THE SENATE AND THE COUNTRY.
THIS ISSUE WILL SURELY BE ONE OF THE MAJOR TESTS I WILL FACE AS A SENATOR AND A REPUBLICAN SPOKESMAN. NOT HAVING READ THE TREATY, WHICH HAS YET TO BE MADE PUBLIC I HAVE NOT FORMULATED A FIRM POSITION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I REMAIN OPEN-MINDED. I ALSO REMAIN WARY OF ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY RELY UPON SOVIET HONOR FOR ENFORCEMENT.
THEIR PAST RECORD, THEIR WHOLE MODE OF OPERATION INSTILLS LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN THE KREMLIN LEADERS' COMPLIANCE.
HISTORY HAS TAUGHT THIS SENATOR TO RE WARY OF MAKING ANY AGREEMENT WITH THE SOVIETS THAT DOES NOT CARRY WITHIN ITS FRAMEWORK A GUARANTEED PROCESS OF VERIFICATION. I PLEDGE TO YOU TODAY TO FIGHT HARD FOR SUCH INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION. IF I DON'T GET IT, THEN I WON'T GO ALONG WITH SALT II.

-9-
OUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO NATIONAL SECURITY. HAVING STUDIED THE PROSPECTIVE TREATY WITH EXPERTS LIKE HENRY KISSINGER, GENERAL ALEXANDER HAIG AND FORMER BRITISH DISARMAMENT MINISTER LORD CHALFONT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT IS IMPERFECT AT BEST. IT ALLOWS THE RUSSIANS TO MAITAIN THEIR STRONG ADVANTAGE IN THROWWEIGHT AND HEAVY MISSILES. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THEIR BACKFIRE BOMBER FORCE, WHILE THE U.S. IS COMPELLED TO INCLUDE B-52'S
IF WE HAD SOME GUARANTEE THAT THE SOVIET UNION WOULD REDUCE ITS FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO MILITARY DEVELOPMENT, IF WE HAD SOME CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT THE SOVIETS WERE NOT DETERMINED TO FORGE EVEN FURTHER AHEAD OF THE UNITED STATES IN MILITARY MIGHT, IF WE COULD BELIEVE THE SOVIET CLAIMS OF INNOCENCE ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES IN AFRICA AND ASIA -- THEN I MIGHT BE LESS ANXIOUS LEST SALT II SIGNIFY AMERICA'S WITHDRAWAL FROM WORLD LEADERSHIP.

-10-
BUT THE TREATY IS NOT BEING CONSIDERED IN A VACUUM. WE HAVE NO SUCH GUARANTEES FROM THE SOVIETS. WE HAVE INSTEAD, COLD, HARD FACTS AND FIGURES THAT POINT TO AN ALARMING DECLINE IN OUR OWN DEFENSE SPENDING, WHILE THE RUSSIANS STEP UP THEIR EFFORT TO ATTAIN STRATEGIC SUPERIORITY.
WITH SUCH A BLEAK PROSPECT STARING US IN THE FACE, ANY ARMS LIMITATION TREATY MUST BE EXAMINED WITH THE GLOBAL PICTURE IN MIND.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE NEW SALT TREATY -- I SUPPORTED THE FIRST ONE. BUT SUCH SUPPORT WILL COME ONLY WHEN I AM CONVINCED THAT IT MEETS OUR NATIONAL SECURITY NEFDS.

-11-
SALT II OUGHT NOT TO BE ROMANTICIZED. IT OUGHT NOT TO BE SOLD LIKE SOME DIPLOMATIC SNAKE OIL, GUARANTEED TO PRODUCE MIRACLES AMONG NATIONS AND MAKE THE WORLD SAFE FOR THE PEACELOVERS.
IT SHOULD BE APPROVED ONLY IF WE MAKE CERTAIN IT WILL STRENGTHEN THE FORCES OF PEACE AND STABILIZE THE BALANCE OF POWER. ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE A BETRAYAL OF THE NATION WE LOVE, OF THE CHILDREN WHOSE FUTURES ARE AT STAKE, OF ALL THAT WE HONOR IN OUR HERITAGE. SALT IS A CRITICAL TEST FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. MORE IMPORTANT, IT IS A TEST FOR THE NATION. TODAY I CALL UPON YOU -- WHO KNOW THE AGONIES OF WAR FIRSTHAND -- TO JOIN WITH ME AND OTHERS -- DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS -- TO FORGE A NEW BIPARTISANSHIP FOR AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. IT IS BASED ON A BELIEF IN OUR MISSION AS FREEDOM'S GUARDIAN. IT IS ROOTED IN A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE AND A CLEAR SENSE OF WHAT GOOD CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE CAREFUL PROMOTION OF A POLICY OF PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.
I CALL ON YOU TO BE PARTISANS FOR PEACE.

REMARKS OF SENATOR BOB DOLE
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
MAY 5 1979

I'M DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON, AND TO RENEW THE TIES OF FRIENDSHIP AND MEMORY THAT UNITE US. I'D LIKE
TO TALK FOR A FEW MINUTES ABOUT PEACE -- WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN'T.
WE HAVE SEEN WAR FIRSTHAND. WE HAVF WATCHED MEN DIE AT OUR FEET. WE CARRY THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SCARS OF COMBAT. WHO OF OUR GENERATION MORE PROFOUNDLY DETEST THE HORRORS OF WARFARE? WHO MORE SINCERELY LONGS FOR PEACE, FOR THE PEACE THAT LASTS, THE PFACE CONSTRUCTED ON A FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN STRENGTH AND PURPOSE.

-2-
IN THIS NUCLEAR AGE, WHEN SCIENCE HAS DEVISED AND POLITICS HAS PUT INTO PLACE THE FORCES OF MASS ANNIHILATION A FEW GREAT POWERS HOLD IN THEIR HANDS THE FATE OF ALL MANKIND. SUCH IS THE ORDEAL OF LEADERSHIP IN THE MODERN ERA. IT DEMANDS FROM US SACRIFICE. AND IT CALLS FOR A NEW BIPARTISAN SPIRIT UNITED AROUND STRONG PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP IN THE PURSUIT OF CERTAIN VITAL AND LEGITIMATE AMERICAN INTERESTS. IT IS THAT SPIRIT I WISH TO CALL FOR THIS AFTERNOON.
PULLING BACK TO IMPOTENCE
IN THE WAKE OF THE VIETNAM WAR, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS DECIDED THAT NEO-ISOLATIONISM WAS THE ONLY COURSE THAT COULD PRESERVE PEACE. TO THOSE AMERICANS, ANY SIGN OF ASSERTIVE FOREIGN POLICY COULD BE EQUATED WITH INTELLECTUAL MACHISMO. THEY CONFUSED ASSERTIVE DIPLOMACY WITH SENDING IN THE MARINES.

-3-
AT THE SAME TIME, CONFIDENCE IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAS BEEN ERODING AT AN ALARMING RATE FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS. JIMMY CARTER DIDN'T START THE TREND, BUT NEITHER HAS HE STOPPED IT. VIETNAM ACCELERATED THIS PROCESS, AS DID WATERGATE. BUT SUCH EROSION -- WHILE NOT NECESSARILY RELATED DIRECTLY TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS -- BECOMES A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER WHEN IT SPREADS TO THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN POLICY. IT CAN POISON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY PRESIDENT AND UNDERMINE OUR CREDIBILITY WITH ALLIES AND ENEMIES ALIKE
THE COMBINED EFFECT OF ALL THIS HAS BEEN A KIND OF SELF-IMPOSED IMPOTENCE. AMERICA HAS RETREATED INTO AN UNCERTAIN SHELL. SHE HAS EMBRACED TIMIDITY OVER COURAGE, IN THE VAIN CONVICTION
THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL PASS US BY IF ONLY WE WOULD REFRAIN FROM CAUSING TROUBLE.

-4-
NOT EVERYONE IN WASHINGTON IS WILLING TO ADOPT SO DOCILE AN OUTLOOK. MANY MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES ARE TAKIMG ISSUE WITH THE CONFUSING AND CONTRADICTORY ATTEMPTS OF THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION TO FORMULATE AND CARRY OUT A FOREIGN POLICY. WHO, FOR INSTANCE, IS CALLING THE SHOTS ON NEGOTIATIONS FOR MEXICAN GAS AND OIL? THE PRESIDENT, OR ENERGY SECRETARY SCHLESINGER? YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE.
THEN THERE'S AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG, WHO APPEARS OMNIPOTENT WHEN IT COMES TO SOUTHERN AFRICA. IT WAS ALSO AMBASSADOR YOUNG WHO, WHEN PRIME MINISTER BAKTIAR WAS INSTALLED AS IRAN'S LAST BEST HOPE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERMMENT, TOLD ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN THAT THE AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI WAS A MODERN SAINT -- AND WHO LOCKED OUR GOVERNMENT INTO INFLEXIBLE OPPOSITION TO ANY SETTLEMENT OF THE RHODESIAN PROBLEM -- EVEN ONE EMBRACED BY A MAJORITY OF BLACK AND WHITE RHODESIANS.
IS IT ANY WONDER THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD SEEMS CONFUSED BY AMERICA'S INTENTIONS?

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RESTORING A CREDIBLE DEFENSE
FACTS ARE FACTS, AND THE FACTS OF CURRENT AMERICAN PREPAREDNESS ARE HARDLY ENCOURAGING. JUST THREE YEARS AGO, A WIDESPREAD CONSENSUS EXISTED IN SUPPORT OF THE FORD ADMINISTRATION'S CALL
FOR A 5 TO 6 PERCENT REAL GROWTH IN THE ANNUAL DEFENSE BUDGET. INSTEAD OF THIS INCREASE, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN DEFENSE BUDGETS THAT AVERAGE A 2 PERCENT DECLINE IN REAL SPENDING.
THE DANGERS DON'T END THERE: AMERICAN FORCES IN EUROPE ARE SUPPLIED WITH MECHANIZED INFANTRY VEHICLES 20 YEARS BEHIND THEIR SOVIET ADVERSARIES. THE AMERICAN NAVY HAS FEWER THAN 400 SHIPS LEFT IN THE ACTIVE FLEET, WHILE THE FIVE YEAR SHIPBUILDING PROGRAM PRESENTED TO CONGRESS BY PRESIDENT FORD IN JANUARY, 1977 IS LEFT TO GATHER DUST. THE B-1 BOMBER IS DROPPED, THE TOMAHAWK CRUISE MISSILE DEFERRED, THE MX MISSILE LANGUISHES.

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THF LEADERSHIP VACUUM
THROUGH ALL THIS, WE CAN HEAR FROM THE LEFT IN THIS COUNTRY THE RECURRENT THEME -- AMERICA IS AN INTERNATIONAL TROUBLEMAKER. STRIP HER PRESIDENT OF HIS AUTHORITY TO ACT, REDUCE THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT TO NEAR-IMPOTENCE -- THEN, SAY THE NEW ISOLATIONISTS, THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL INTERNATIONAL PEACE BE SECURED.
WELL, AMERICA IS NOT AN INTERNATIONAL TROUBLEMAKER.

AMERICA REMAINS, NOW AS IN THE PAST, THE ONLY PROTECTOR OF THAT SUNLIT PORTION OF MANKIND THAT KNOWS, OR HOPES TO KNOW, FREEDOM. AMERICA IS THE ULTIMATE BULWARK AGAINST TOTALITARIAN TYRANNY. I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN THAT FACT, EVEN IF SOME FOREIGN POLICYMAKERS HAVE.

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I DO NOT CRITICIZE THE PRESIDENT OUT OF POLITICAL SELFISHNESS.
I DO NOT HESITATE TO CRITICIZE MEMBERS OF MY OWN PARTY FOR VOTING TO ABANDON THE PANAMA CANAL AT A TIME WHEN AMERICA WAS PERCEIVED BY FRIEND AND FOE ALIKE TO BE IN RETREAT FROM ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS. PANAMA REPRESENTED A DANGEROUS MISUSE OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN FOREIGN POLICY.
VOTE TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT ON PANAMA, WE WERE TOLD, OR HE WILL LOSE HIS CREDIBILITY TO CONDUCT FOREIGN AFFAIRS. WELL, HE WON THAT VOTE, AND DOES AMYOME SERIOUSLY SUGGEST THAT OUR FOREIGN POLICY IS ANY MORE CREDIBLE TODAY THAN IT WAS A YEAR AGO?
THE ISSUE HERE IS LARGER THAN ONE MAN. THE NEW BIPARTISANSHIP PREFERS ACTION TO INACTION, ADVANCE TO RETREAT. IT BELIEVES IN A MILITARY DEFENSE SECOND TO NONE, FOR MILITARY STRENGTH IS RESPECTED MORE THAN PIOUS PLEDGES AND RHETORIC UNCONNECTED TO REALITY. SUCH OBJECTIVES COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IF THE PRESIDENCY WERE AGAIN THE CORNERSTONE OF COHERENT AND FARSIGHTED LEADERSHIP.

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SALT AND THE QUEST FOR PEACE
SO LET ME TURN BRIEFLY TO THE SALT II TREATY, AND THE DEBATE ABOUT TO GET UNDERWAY IN THE SENATE AND THE COUNTRY.
THIS ISSUE WILL SURELY BE ONE OF THE MAJOR TESTS I WILL FACE AS A SENATOR AND A REPUBLICAN SPOKESMAN. NOT HAVING READ THE TREATY, WHICH HAS YET TO BE MADE PUBLIC I HAVE NOT FORMULATED A FIRM POSITION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I REMAIN OPEN-MINDED. I ALSO REMAIN WARY OF ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY RELY UPON SOVIET HONOR FOR ENFORCEMENT.
THEIR PAST RECORD, THEIR WHOLE MODE OF OPERATION INSTILLS LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN THE KREMLIN LEADERS' COMPLIANCE.
HISTORY HAS TAUGHT THIS SENATOR TO RE WARY OF MAKING ANY AGREEMENT WITH THE SOVIETS THAT DOES NOT CARRY WITHIN ITS FRAMEWORK A GUARANTEED PROCESS OF VERIFICATION. I PLEDGE TO YOU TODAY TO FIGHT HARD FOR SUCH INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION. IF I DON'T GET IT, THEN I WON'T GO ALONG WITH SALT II.

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OUR FIRST OBLIGATION IS TO NATIONAL SECURITY. HAVING STUDIED THE PROSPECTIVE TREATY WITH EXPERTS LIKE HENRY KISSINGER, GENERAL ALEXANDER HAIG AND FORMER BRITISH DISARMAMENT MINISTER LORD CHALFONT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT IS IMPERFECT AT BEST. IT ALLOWS THE RUSSIANS TO MAITAIN THEIR STRONG ADVANTAGE IN THROWWEIGHT AND HEAVY MISSILES. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THEIR BACKFIRE BOMBER FORCE, WHILE THE U.S. IS COMPELLED TO INCLUDE B-52'S
IF WE HAD SOME GUARANTEE THAT THE SOVIET UNION WOULD REDUCE ITS FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO MILITARY DEVELOPMENT, IF WE HAD SOME CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT THE SOVIETS WERE NOT DETERMINED TO FORGE EVEN FURTHER AHEAD OF THE UNITED STATES IN MILITARY MIGHT, IF WE COULD BELIEVE THE SOVIET CLAIMS OF INNOCENCE ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES IN AFRICA AND ASIA -- THEN I MIGHT BE LESS ANXIOUS LEST SALT II SIGNIFY AMERICA'S WITHDRAWAL FROM WORLD LEADERSHIP.

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BUT THE TREATY IS NOT BEING CONSIDERED IN A VACUUM. WE HAVE NO SUCH GUARANTEES FROM THE SOVIETS. WE HAVE INSTEAD, COLD, HARD FACTS AND FIGURES THAT POINT TO AN ALARMING DECLINE IN OUR OWN DEFENSE SPENDING, WHILE THE RUSSIANS STEP UP THEIR EFFORT TO ATTAIN STRATEGIC SUPERIORITY.
WITH SUCH A BLEAK PROSPECT STARING US IN THE FACE, ANY ARMS LIMITATION TREATY MUST BE EXAMINED WITH THE GLOBAL PICTURE IN MIND.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE NEW SALT TREATY -- I SUPPORTED THE FIRST ONE. BUT SUCH SUPPORT WILL COME ONLY WHEN I AM CONVINCED THAT IT MEETS OUR NATIONAL SECURITY NEFDS.

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SALT II OUGHT NOT TO BE ROMANTICIZED. IT OUGHT NOT TO BE SOLD LIKE SOME DIPLOMATIC SNAKE OIL, GUARANTEED TO PRODUCE MIRACLES AMONG NATIONS AND MAKE THE WORLD SAFE FOR THE PEACELOVERS.
IT SHOULD BE APPROVED ONLY IF WE MAKE CERTAIN IT WILL STRENGTHEN THE FORCES OF PEACE AND STABILIZE THE BALANCE OF POWER. ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE A BETRAYAL OF THE NATION WE LOVE, OF THE CHILDREN WHOSE FUTURES ARE AT STAKE, OF ALL THAT WE HONOR IN OUR HERITAGE. SALT IS A CRITICAL TEST FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. MORE IMPORTANT, IT IS A TEST FOR THE NATION. TODAY I CALL UPON YOU -- WHO KNOW THE AGONIES OF WAR FIRSTHAND -- TO JOIN WITH ME AND OTHERS -- DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS -- TO FORGE A NEW BIPARTISANSHIP FOR AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. IT IS BASED ON A BELIEF IN OUR MISSION AS FREEDOM'S GUARDIAN. IT IS ROOTED IN A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE AND A CLEAR SENSE OF WHAT GOOD CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE CAREFUL PROMOTION OF A POLICY OF PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.
I CALL ON YOU TO BE PARTISANS FOR PEACE.