Bill Clinton: “Foreign Operations Appropriations Legislation October 18, 1999 To the House of Representatives: I am returning herewith…”

“Foreign Operations Appropriations Legislation October 18, 1999 To the House of Representatives: I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 2606, the ``Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2000.'' The central lesson we have learned in this century is that we cannot protect American interests at home without active engagement abroad. Common sense tells us, and hard experience has confirmed, that we must lead in the world, working with other nations to defuse crises, repel dangers, promote more open economic and political systems, and strengthen the rule of law. These have been the guiding principles of American foreign policy for generations. They have served the American people well, and greatly helped to advance the cause of peace and freedom around the world. This bill rejects all of those principles. It puts at risk America's 50-year tradition of leadership for a safer, more prosperous and democratic world. It is an abandonment of hope in our Nation's capacity to shape that kind of world. It implies that we are too small and insecure to meet our share of international responsibilities, too shortsighted to see that doing so is in our national interest. It is another sign of a new isolationism that would have America bury its head in the sand at the height of our power and prosperity. In the short term, H.R. 2606 fails to address critical national security needs.…”