- Dear Jeff,
-
- How many Americans would be surprised to learn that there
is a group of people in the United States whose avowed ambition is dedicated
to a few fundamental propositions: that American leadership is good both
for America and for the rest of the world; that such leadership requires
military strength, diplomatic energy and commitment to moral principle;
and that too few political leaders today are making the case for global
leadership.
-
- These people intend, through issue briefs, research papers,
advocacy journalism, conferences, and seminars, to explain what American
world leadership entails. They will also strive to rally support for a
vigorous and principled policy of American international involvement and
to stimulate useful public debate on foreign and defence policy and America's
role in the world. There aim is to make the case and rally support for
American global leadership. They believe that the United States now stands
as the world's pre-eminent power. Having led the West to victory in the
Cold War, they say, America faces an opportunity and a challenge: Does
the United States have the vision to build upon the achievements of past
decades? Does the United States have the resolve to shape a new century
favourable to American principles and interests? In order to do this America
has to have a military that is strong and ready to meet both present and
future challenges; a foreign policy that boldly and purposefully pro
-
- * we need to increase defence spending significantly
if we are to carry out our global responsibilities today and modernise
our armed forces for the future;
-
- * we need to strengthen our ties to democratic allies
and to challenge regimes hostile to our interests and values;
-
- * we need to promote the cause of political and economic
freedom abroad;
-
- * we need to accept responsibility for America's unique
role in preserving and extending an international order friendly to our
security, our prosperity, and our principles.
-
- So, who are these people who want the United States to
rule the world and how long have they had this dream? Well, and here's
the surprise, everything you've read in the article above has been downloaded
from statements made on June 3rd. 1997 from the Statement Of Principles
below.
-
- And the people advocating this policy?
-
- ...Prepare to surprise yourself.
-
- -- Ian Gurney
- Author of the book
- "The Cassandra Prophecy - Armageddon Approaches
- <http://www.caspro.com>www.caspro.com <mailto:info@caspro.com>info@caspro.com
-
-
- Projection For The New American Century
-
- Statement Of Principles
-
- June 3, 1997
-
- American foreign and defense policy is adrift. Conservatives
have criticized the incoherent policies of the Clinton Administration.
They have also resisted isolationist impulses from within their own ranks.
But conservatives have not confidently advanced a strategic vision of America's
role in the world. They have not set forth guiding principles for American
foreign policy. They have allowed differences over tactics to obscure potential
agreement on strategic objectives. And they have not fought for a defense
budget that would maintain American security and advance American interests
in the new century.
-
- We aim to change this. We aim to make the case and rally
support for American global leadership.
-
- As the 20th century draws to a close, the United States
stands as the world's preeminent power. Having led the West to victory
in the Cold War, America faces an opportunity and a challenge: Does the
United States have the vision to build upon the achievements of past decades?
Does the United States have the resolve to shape a new century favorable
to American principles and interests?
-
- We are in danger of squandering the opportunity and failing
the challenge. We are living off the capital -- both the military investments
and the foreign policy achievements -- built up by past administrations.
Cuts in foreign affairs and defense spending, inattention to the tools
of statecraft, and inconstant leadership are making it increasingly difficult
to sustain American influence around the world. And the promise of short-term
commercial benefits threatens to override strategic considerations. As
a consequence, we are jeopardizing the nation's ability to meet present
threats and to deal with potentially greater challenges that lie ahead.
-
- We seem to have forgotten the essential elements of the
Reagan Administration's success: a military that is strong and ready to
meet both present and future challenges; a foreign policy that boldly and
purposefully promotes American principles abroad; and national leadership
that accepts the United States' global responsibilities.
-
- Of course, the United States must be prudent in how it
exercises its power. But we cannot safely avoid the responsibilities of
global leadership or the costs that are associated with its exercise. America
has a vital role in maintaining peace and security in Europe, Asia, and
the Middle East. If we shirk our responsibilities, we invite challenges
to our fundamental interests. The history of the 20th century should have
taught us that it is important to shape circumstances before crises emerge,
and to meet threats before they become dire. The history of this century
should have taught us to embrace the cause of American leadership.
-
- Our aim is to remind Americans of these lessons and to
draw their consequences for today. Here are four consequences:
-
- * we need to increase defense spending significantly
if we are to carry out our global
- responsibilities today and modernize our armed forces
for the future;
-
- * we need to strengthen our ties to democratic allies
and to challenge regimes hostile to our interests and values;
-
- * we need to promote the cause of political and economic
freedom abroad;
-
- * we need to accept responsibility for America's unique
role in preserving and extending an international order friendly to our
security, our prosperity, and our principles.
-
- Such a Reaganite policy of military strength and moral
clarity may not be fashionable today. But it is necessary if the United
States is to build on the successes of this past century and to ensure
our security and our greatness in the next.
-
- Elliott Abrams Dick Cheney William J. Bennett
Jeb Bush
-
- Donald Rumsfeld Vin Weber George Weigel Paul
Wolfowitz
-
- Gary Bauer Eliot A. Cohen Midge Decter Paula
Dobriansky Steve Forbes
-
- Aaron Friedberg Francis Fukuyama Frank Gaffney
Fred C. Ikle
-
- Donald Kagan Zalmay Khalilzad I. Lewis Libby
Norman Podhoretz
-
- Dan Quayle Peter W. Rodman Stephen P. Rosen
Henry S. Rowen
-
- http://www.newamericancentury.org/statementofprinciples.htm
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