Richard Nixon

I have studied this situation of arms control over the past 3 1/2 years.

I will be extremely interested in getting your views on hemispheric problems, particularly in view of your very eloquent comments in which you enunciated the Echeverria Doctrine in Santiago a short time ago.

I am totally convinced that both of these agreements are in the interest of the security of the United States and in the interest of arms control and world peace.

But what is even more important, we will discuss them as friends.

What we are asking for here, in other words, is cooperation with, and not just rubber-stamping by, the House and the Senate.

Mr. President, we welcome you very warmly on your first official visit to Washington.

Peace is respect by great nations for the rights of smaller nations.

Let me tell you why I think that is important.

I want the Nation to be convinced of that.

As a matter of fact, if we were to really look at it very, very fairly, both sides won, and the whole world won.

Peace is respect for the rights of others.

It covers only certain categories of weapons.

Mr. President, the people of the United States of America have a very warm place in their hearts for the people of Mexico.

I personally, and my wife, have a warm place in our hearts for your country and we feel that as we meet you today, we meet not only as official friends but also as personal friends.

There are advantages in it for both sides.

We welcome you as the head of state of a great nation, our great and friendly neighbor to the South.

I know that a number have suggested that Dr. Kissinger should appear before the committees as a witness.

These accords offer tangible evidence that mankind need not live forever in the dark shadow of nuclear war.

Because these agreements effectively serve one of this Nation's most cherished purposes--a more secure and peaceful world in which America's security is fully protected--I strongly recommend that the Senate support them, and that its…

I am sending to the Congress today the nuclear arms limitation agreements that I negotiated with the Soviet leaders in Moscow.

The defense capabilities of the United States are second to none in the world today.

I believe that prompt approval by the Senate of the treaty limiting defensive weapons and prompt approval by the Congress of the agreement limiting certain classes of offensive weapons will contribute to the goal that I know all Americans…

I am determined that they shall remain so.

I am convinced that these agreements are in the security interest of the United States.

I ask the Senate's advice and consent to ratification of the Treaty, and an expression of support from both Houses of the Congress for the Interim Agreement on Strategic Offensive Arms.