Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 6.djvu/830

 106 STAT. 5388 PROCLAMATION 6462-JULY 28, 1992 ciples new and sweeping commitments to political pluralism and the rule of law. The Charter of Paris also established new CSCE institutions, such as the Conflict Prevention Center in Vienna, to strengthen the ability of the Conference to promote the peaceful resolution of disputes and the development of stable, democratic governments. During the past two years, the Conference has evolved further to assist in the task of managing the dramatic changes that have been brought about in the CSCE community by the collapse of communism and the end of the Cold War. In addition to expanding its activities and institutions, as well as its mechanisms for fostering international dialogue and cooperation, the CSCE has welcomed new members from among the emerging states of Central and Eastern Europe and the 12 states that replaced the Soviet Union. We welcome these new CSCE participants and the commitment to human rights that their membership signifies. While great advances have been made overall in promoting human rights, especially since the democratic revolutions that swept Europe in 1989, today some states are making only minimal progress while others are sliding backward into the mire of ethnic conflicts. Thus, this year's Helsinki Summit emphasized that political stability and lasting freedom can be based only on genuine respect for human rights, which forms the basis of the CSCE concept of international security and cooperation. At Helsinki, participating states broke new ground in enhancing the CSCE's ability to promote human rights, to manage change, and to prevent conflicts. In addition to establishing the office of a CSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, which will assist in the investigation and prevention of conflicts arising from ethnic or minority tensions, the 1992 Helsinki document provides for an expanded Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in Warsaw. To promote the nonviolent resolution of disputes, the document also envisages formal peacekeeping operations in support of political solutions, either by CSCE countries directly or with the support of other international organizations such as NATO and the Western European Union (WEU). Today the Euro-Atlantic community continues to be challenged by the legacy of the Cold War. The peoples of Europe's emerging states face many difficulties as they strive to overcome deeply rooted political and economic problems imposed by decades of Soviet repression and communist rule. Yet, during this period of great change, the principles set forth in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and reaffirmed at follow-on meetings of the CSCE continue to offer a steady guide to peaceful, cooperative relations among states and to the just and democratic conduct of governments. In recognition of the contributions of the CSCE toward the expansion of human rights and toward the development of a strong Euro-Atlantic partnership for freedom, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 310, has designated August 1, 1992, as "Helsinki Human Rights Day" and has requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim August 1, 1992, as Helsinki Human Rights Day and reaffirm the United States commitment to upholding human dignity and freedom— principles that are enshrined in the Hel-

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