US Presidency
1971

At our suggestion, the NATO alliance made a thorough review of its military strategy and posture. As a result, we have reached new agreement on a strong defense and the need to share the burden more fairly. In Eastern Europe, our exchange of state visits with Romania and my meeting last fall with Marshal Tito in Yugoslavia are examples of our search for wider reconciliation with the nations that used to be considered behind an Iron Curtain. Looking ahead in Europe: ' We shall cooperate in our political and economic relations across the Atlantic as the Common Market grows .'We and our allies will make the improvements necessary to carry out our common defense strategy .'Together we stand ready to reduce forces in Western Europe in exchange for mutual reductions in Eastern Europe. The problems of Africa are great, but so is her potential. The United States will support her peoples ' efforts to build a continent that provides social justice and economic expansion.