US-German friendship strengthens Atlantic partnership. (Transcript)

Introductory remarks at a White House news conference, Washington, DC, March 22, 1992

President Bush: Chancellor Kohl and I had a very productive discussion on a wide range of the issues that face us in the new era. Among them: the American role in Europe, support for the democratic revolutions in Russia and Eastern Europe, and world trade talks.

We agreed that NATO remains the bedrock of European peace and there is no substitute for our Atlantic link, anchored by a strong American military presence in Europe--which the Chancellor and I both agreed must be maintained.

In our review of the Uruguay Round [of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade--GATT] negotiations, the Chancellor and I reaffirmed our determination to reach an early agreement that expands the world trading system. This would be a victory for US-European partnership in promoting free trade, spurring economic growth, and creating jobs in the United States, Germany, and all developing countries.

We also discussed how we can best support democracy in the East. We agreed that as Russia and other new democracies adopt reform programs, we and …