in this quest, i know that we must not lack patience. i know that in a world divided, such as ours today, salvation cannot be attained by one dramatic act. i know that many steps will have to be taken over many months before the world can look at itself one day and truly realize that a new climate of mutually peaceful confidence is abroad in the world. but i know, above all else, that we must start to take these steps now.
the united states and its allies, great britain and france, have, over the past months, tried to take some of these steps. let no one say that we shun the conference table. on the record has long stood the request of the united states, great britain, and france to negotiate with the soviet union the problems of a divided germany. on that record has long stood the request of the same three nations to negotiate an austrian peace treaty. on the same record still stands the request of the united nations to negotiate the problems of korea.
most recently we have received from the soviet union what is in effect an expression of willingness to hold a four-power meeting. along with our allies, great britain and france, we were pleased to see that his note did not contain the unacceptable pre-conditions previously put forward. as you already know from our joint bermuda communiqué, the united states, great britain, and france have agreed promptly to meet with the soviet union.
the government of the united states approaches this conference with hopeful sincerity. we will bend every effor