pensible to their future industrial growth. The Central American countries, stimulated by Alliance programs, have already achieved spectacular increases in trade and investment. The larger grouping of South American states and Mexico, however, has approached economic unity at a slower pace. Now both groups together must systematically move toward a Latin American Common Market. When this is carried into effect, it will bring the most profound change in hemispheric relations since independence. The countries of Latin America have given clear and sure indication that they intend to join together to advance toward this goal.

2. Improvement of Education

The burden of illiteracy, which the masses of people in Latin America have borne for centuries, is beginning to lift. In other times, the pace might have been satisfactory. It cannot be considered so today.

The countries of Latin America hope and aim to be economically strong. Such nations will require trained people in an abundance far greater than their classrooms and laboratories provide. The scientists, the teachers, the skilled laborers, the administrators and the planners on whom tomorrow depends must be trained before tomorrow arrives. Children must go to school in ever-increasing numbers. Adults who have never written their names must be raised to the level of literacy. University facilities. must be expanded and scientific, technical and vocational training must be provided of different kinds and in different fields.

All of this means more schools and an expansion of educational opportunities to reach more and more people with every passing month.

3. Agriculture

Half the people of Latin America live in rural areas.

Most of that rural life is still shackled by poverty and neglect. Agricultural productivity is still restricted by outdated methods and outmoded policies. Comprehensive programs and reforms must be accelerated to bring modern farming techniques to the campo.

We and our neighbors to the south envision a dynamic Latin American agriculture which will help raise the standards of rural life.

We envision a sufficient increase in the production of food to provide for their growing populations—and to help meet world needs as well.

We envision a modernization of farming policies and techniques which will lead to a healthy competitive climate for food produc

tion.

4. Health

Finally, we will strive harder than ever before to improve the health of all the people.

The battle against diseases that kill and cripple will be intensified.

Programs to make safe water supply and essential sanitation services available to all will be accelerated.

Nutrition levels for poor children and their parents will be advanced.

These are the problems we face together, and the promises we envision together, as we prepare for Punta del Este.

The problems are real. But the promises are also real. They are not empty visions. They are all within our reach. They will not be accomplished quickly or easily. But they

are objectives worthy of the support of all our people.

INCREASED ASSISTANCE

In keeping with the spirit of our commitment under the Alliance for Progress and after a careful review of the objectives which our Latin American neighbors have set for themselves, I believe that we should pledge increased financial assistance in the years ahead.

The fundamental principle which has guided us in the past-demonstrated need and self-help-will continue to shape our actions in the future.

1 recommend that Congress approve a commitment to increase our aid by up to $1.5 billion or about $300 million per year over the next 5 years. It must not be at the expense of our efforts in other parts of this troubled world.

This amount will be in addition to the $1 billion we have been annually investing in the future of Latin American democracy, since the Alliance for Progress began 6 years ago. The total value of our economic assistance, even after the proposed increases, will still be only a fraction of the resources the Latin American nations are themselves investing.

The $1.5 billion increase I propose must be considered an approximate figure. Its precise determination will depend on steps which the Latin American nations themselves must take. But even so, we can project in a general way what will be necessary: 1. Agriculture, Education, and Health

Approximately $900 million of this increase should be used over the next 5 years to train teachers and build new laboratories

and classrooms; to increase food production and combat the malnutrition which stunts the promise of young children; to fight disease and cure the ill.

$100 million of this amount has been included in the fiscal 1968 budget totals. I will request that it be added to the new obligational authority of $543 million already recommended for the Alliance for Progress.

For the next four fiscal years, the additional annual amount of some $200 million is within the $750 million authorization for the Alliance for Progress approved by Congress last year.

2. A Latin American Common Market

Approximately one-quarter to one-half billion dollars over a 3 to 5 year period, beginning about 1970, may be required to assist Latin America to move toward a common market.

Progress in this direction will require a period of transition. To help with this adjustment, assistance can be used to retrain workers, ease balance of payments problems, and stimulate intra-Latin American trade.

The members of the Alliance for Progress, including the United States, should be prepared to finance this assistance on an equitable matching basis.

I will ask Congress to authorize these funds only when the first essential steps toward a common market are taken.

3. Multi-National Projects-Communications, Roads, and River Systems

Approximately $150 million over a 3 year period should provide additional funds to the Inter-American Bank's Fund for Special Operations. These increased contributions

323

can help finance pre-investment studies and a portion of the cost of new multi-national projects:

-Roads to link the nations and people

of Latin America.

-Modern communication networks to speed communications.

-Bridges to carry the fruits of commerce over river barriers; dams to stem the ravages of flood.

-Hydroelectric plants to provide a plentiful source of power for growth and prosperity.

We will request Congressional authorization to provide this amount together with our regular $250 million annual contribution for each of the next 3 years to the InterAmerican Bank's Fund for Special Operations.

We expect our partners in the Bank to increase their contributions on a proportional basis.

CONCLUSION

For the nations participating, Punta del Este will be a returning. It was there, six years ago in that city by the sea, that the American nations framed the charter of the Alliance which unites the hopes of this hemisphere.

We will be bringing with us the accumulated wisdom shaped by the experience gained in the years that have intervened.

We have learned much. Our sister countries know, and know well, that the burden of the task is theirs, the decisions are theirs, the initiative to build these new societies must be theirs. They know that the only road to progress is the road of self-help.

They know that our role can only be that of support, with our investment only a small portion of what they themselves contribute to their future.

This knowledge strengthens their own re

solve, and their own commitment.

The people of the United States have learned, over the six years since that first conference at Punta del Este, that the investment to which we pledged our support there is a good and honorable one.

It is an investment made in the spirit of our world view, so well described by a great American jurist, Learned Hand:

Right knows no boundaries, and justice no frontiers; the brotherhood of man is not a domestic institution.

That view of the world provides us with the knowledge that service is mutually rewarding. We have learned in the span of a generation that when we help others in a truly meaningful way, we serve our own vital interests as well.

I could go to the summit meeting with the President's executive authority and reach understandings with our Latin American neighbors on behalf of this country. I believe it is much more in our democratic tradition if the Executive and the Congress work together as partners in this matter.

I am, therefore, going to you in the Congress not after a commitment has been made, but before making any commitment. I seek your guidance and your counsel. I have already met with some 40 of your leaders.

I am asking the entire Congress and the American people to consider thoroughly my recommendations. I will look to their judg ment and support as I prepare for our Nation's return to Punta del Este. LYNDON B. JOHNSON

The White House March 13, 1967

NOTE: For the President's meeting with the American Chiefs of State at Punta del Este, Uruguay, see Items 175-178.

A bill authorizing additional funds for the InterAmerican Development Bank was approved by the President on September 22, 1967 (see Item 394).

men:

It is now almost 17 years since that June day when the invader struck at South Korea. For a few, time has erased the meaning of that day, and all that followed it. But for most Americans, it remains today as clear as it was to President Harry Truman when he said:

"In my generation, this was not the first occasion when the strong had attacked the weak. I recalled some earlier instances: Manchuria, Ethiopia, Austria. I remembered how each time that the democracies had failed to act it had encouraged the aggressors to keep going ahead. .. I felt certain that . . . . . if the Communists were permitted to force their way into the Republic of Korea without opposition from the free world, no small nation would have the courage to resist threats and aggressions by stronger Communist neighbors. If this were allowed to go unchallenged it would mean a third world war, just as similar incidents had brought on the Second World War. It was also clear to me that the foundations and the principles of the United Nations were at stake unless this unprovoked attack on Korea could be stopped." Mr. Prime Minister, the attack was stopped-and we have now had 15 years to see the results.

The Korean people, whom you so proudly represent here today, have strengthened and have developed the independence that was once so dearly bought. They have moved forward-slowly, at first, and with some uncertainty, to meet problems that seemed to defy all solution.

I remember how depressed and discouraged all of us were at the future of Korea in the darkest days of the war and I remember

the prognostications and the prophecies of the cynics of that hour.

But would that we all look at South Korea today.

There is freedom of speech, and a free press.

There are free elections—and I understand you are about to have another soon. Economically, Korea has made amazing

progress.

A leading Western financial publication recently picked Korea as the developing country with "the best all-around national performance in 1966 in the world of economics and finance."

Your rate of economic growth is close to 12 percent.

You are approaching self-sufficiency in food.

You set $250 million as your export goal last year-and you reached and surpassed that goal.

The world knows what Koreans are doing with their freedom and with their independence.

And I don't mean to imply that you have solved all your economic and social problems, because we all know that you have not, nor have we. No one really has.

But the Korean economy has "taken off”as one of my advisers is frequently fond of saying.

Korea's freedom is a consequence, above all, of Korean fortitude and courage. But the Korean people recognize that it is the result, too, of heroism and sacrifice of their friends. They know that freedom brings responsibilities, as well as rights.

So they have now begun to turn their attention from purely national needs and goals to the broader problems of Asia and the

world. Korean initiative in launching the Asian and Pacific Council has been recognized and admired by all.

And today Koreans are fighting in the defense of another brave people. Once again, we work side by side together-we fight together against aggression. Once again we shall that it can be turned back by the prove courageous determination of free men.

In peace, as in war, we have joined our efforts in the Asian Development Bank, in cooperative efforts to improve food production, in transportation, and in education and health measures throughout Asia.

Mr. Prime Minister, our peoples are linked by the strongest bonds of friendship. They were forged in the savagery and sorrow of war. They have been tested now in the challenges of peace.

The value of this friendship is beyond words.

It is one of those benefits that comes to men and to nations all too rarely.

Mrs. Johnson and I extend our very warmest welcome to you and to all the distinguished members of your party.

I eagerly look forward to our exchange of views today and tomorrow.

I hope that this visit to our country will be one of your most pleasant, one of your most interesting, and one of the most memorable journeys among us.

We are delighted to have you. Thank you for having come.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:40 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White House, where Prime Minister II Kwon Chung was given a formal welcome with full military honors. The Prime Minister responded as follows:

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen:

It is with great pleasure and a sense of privilege that I receive the warm welcome extended to me and my party today.

First of all, I have the honor of conveying best

regards from the President and Mrs. Park to you and Mrs. Johnson and to all the people of the United States of America.

Also, I am most happy to visit once again this Capital City of the United States for which I have a profound feeling of friendliness. I have no adequate words to express the pleasure I feel as I see you once again, having come by that firm bridge of good faith and friendship which was strengthened by the exchange of visits by our heads of state.

Mr. President, under your great and inspiring leadership, the freedom-loving spirit of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the glorious history of the American struggle for the preservation of freedom shine bright in all parts of the world.

Today, a new chapter in the history of the United States is being written on the unswerving efforts of the American people who are determined to crush, with faith and courage, violence and aggression and to establish world peace, in the true sense, through perseverance and tolerance.

I am most happy to say that the entire people of the Republic of Korea have a deep respect and are grateful for the great contributions being made by the American people.

Mr. President, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America are the allies bound together for the common cause. Our traditional ties of friendship have been strengthened further over the last few years.

Today, the spirit of cooperation between our two countries is evident not only in the battlefield but in all our mutual endeavors which are aimed at the establishment of a new world of prosperity, in peace and freedom.

I pledge here that as a trusted ally of the United States the Republic of Korea will share all the adversities we may encounter in our joint endeavor.

Mr. President, as you have witnessed in person, my country is advancing under the leadership of President Park to a better, brighter tomorrow. The "Land of Morning Calm" is today full of vigor, vitality, and promise of a modern, self-sustaining future.

The assistance and cooperation rendered by the people of the United States since the end of World War II have borne full fruit in a land that was once plagued with despair and devastation.

It is with the utmost pleasure that I convey to the people of the United States the warmest gratitude of the people of the Republic of Korea.

We are today marching ahead with constancy and hope toward a bright future, ever thankful to the American people for helping them make this progress possible.