Human rights are fundamental, absolutely fundamental to our relationship with the Soviet Union and all nations.

You have the prayers and support of the American people.

The only way to resolve differences is to understand them.

We may hope that perestroika will be accompanied by a deeper restructuring, a deeper conversion, a mentanoya, a change in heart.

I believe this a hopeful time for your nation.

I'm sure you have many questions and many things on your minds, and I'm anxious to hear what you have to say.

But we also know that it can be done because we share a common goal: strengthening the framework we have already begun to build for a relationship that we can sustain over the long term.

We've traveled a long road together to reach this moment.

Despite clear and fundamental differences, and despite the inevitable frustrations that we have encountered, our work has begun to produce results.

Democracy not only guarantees human rights but also helps prevent war and, in truth, is a form of arms control.

Through Western firmness and resolve, we concluded the historic INF treaty that provides for the global elimination of an entire class of U.S. and Soviet intermediate-range nuclear missiles.

While there are improvements, the basic structure of the system has not changed in the Soviet Union or in Eastern Europe.