Ladies and gentlemen, what this means for America is that we face a simple choice: to follow our fears and turn inward, ignoring the opportunities presented by the collapse of the Soviet empire, or to answer the summons of history and lead toward a better future for all.

When Faulkner spoke forty-one years ago, he did not succumb to the paralyzing fear raised by the spectre of nuclear Armageddon.  Instead, he argued that the basest of all things is to be afraid, that we must conquer our fear, that man would not merely endure but prevail.

I believe that.

I believe that having prevailed over the twin fears of nuclear war and Stalinism, we can prevail over the tyranny of the spirit that might threaten reform and democracy and bring darkness to our lives as well.

We can prevail over the fearful isolationism that threatens to return us to the failures of the 1920’s and 1930’s.

We can prevail over political paralysis to forge a bipartisan consensus about what has to be done, and then united at home, we can join with our allies to form a new coalition.

A coalition for a diplomacy of collective engagement.

A coalition to create pathways of hope.

A coalition to make of the end of the Cold War a new beginning for all the nations of the world.

History and the American people expect no less.

Thank you.