Recent events surrounding Syria have prompted me to speak directly to the American people and their political leaders. It is important to do so at a time of insufficient communication between our societies. Relations between us have passed through different stages. We stood against each other during the cold war. But we were also allies once, and defeated the Nazis together. The universal international organization - the United Nations - was then established to prevent such devastation from ever happening again.

If you know a country's geography, you can understand and predict its foreign policy.

Before America entered the war [WW2] I knew we could not win it, but after she entered I knew we could not lose

I do not regard the Communists as any present or future threat to our country. In fact, I look upon Russia as our strongest ally in the years to come.

China, likewise, expresses the magnificent will of millions of plain people to resist the dismemberment of their historic nation. China, through the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, asks our help. America has said that China shall have our help.

I don't mind telling you in confidence that I am keeping in fairly close touch with the admirable Italian gentleman. I am much interested and deeply impressed by what he has accomplished and by his evidenced honest purpose of restoring Italy.