Press Release
October 12, 1996

TRANSCRIPT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON’S
FREE AIR TIME REMARKS ON THE FOX NETWORK

QUESTION: Many people believe that too much money is spent on foreign aid, boosting the economies of countries like the former Soviet Union, at the expense of the United States. Explain why this is a good idea.

PRESIDENT CLINTON: I am committed to keeping America the world’s strongest force for peace, freedom, and prosperity, to defend our security and protect our values. A smart, limited foreign aid program must be a part of that.

Foreign aid is just one penny out of every tax dollar we spend. But if we can help freedom take root in countries that once threatened our security, that’s money well-spent. Today, no Russian missiles are pointed at America’s children. I want to keep it that way.

While we reward democracies, we must penalize terrorists, fighting them on three fronts: Toughening our laws to punish terrorists. Tightening airport security. And rallying the world to a policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, which means isolating rogue states. As long as Iran trains terrorists, as long as Lybia refuses to give up those who blew up Pan Am 103, they must pay a price.

America will maintain its leadership, fight terrorism, and keep our defenses the strongest in the world.

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