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GV INTERIOR General Assembly
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2.
SCU Ford
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A transcript follows:



FORD: The United States recognises the special responsibility we bear as the world's largest producer of food. That is why Secretary Kissinger proposed from this podium last year a World Food Conference to define a global fool policy. And that is one reason why we have removed domestic restrictions on food production in the United States. It has not been our policy to use food as a political weapon despite the oil embargo and recent oil price and production decisions.



"it would be tempting for the United States -- beset by inflation and soaring energy prices -- to turn a deaf ear to external appeals for food assistance, or to respond to internal appeals for export controls. But however difficult our own economic situation, we recognise the plight of others is worse."



"Americans have always responded to human emergencies in the past. We respond again today."



"In response to Secretary General Waldheim's appeal and to help meet the long term challenge in food, I reiterates:"



"To help developing nations realise their aspiration to grow more of their own food, the United States will substantially increase its assistance to agriculture production programmes in other countries."



"Next, to ensure that the survival of millions of our fellow men does not depend upon the vagaries of weather, the Untied States is prepared to join in a world-wide effort to negotiate, establish and maintain an international system of food reserves. But each nation must determine for itself how it manages its reserves."




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This film includes a two minute segment of the President's speech.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: President Ford made his first major foreign-policy speech on Wednesday (18 September) when he addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The President called for a global economic policy and warned that a lack of cooperation could spell world-wide disaster.

He said that any attempt by one nation to use a commodity for political purpose would invariably tempt other nations to do the same. He pointed out that although the united States is the world's largest producer of food it had not been tempted to use this as a political weapon.

He said the United States believed that four principles should guide a global approach to solve the present world-wide food and energy crises.

He said all countries must increase their production and pointed out that just to maintain the present standards of living by the turn of the century, total food production must almost double.

He suggested that all counties seek to achieve a level of prices which provides an incentive to producers but also a level which consumers can afford.

The President said all nations must avoid the abuse of man's fundamental needs for national of bloc advantages.

Lastly he said all countries must be sure the poorest nations are not overwhelmed by rising prices of imports necessary for their survival.