Six months earlier, Russians had chosen Boris Yeltsin as the first democratically elected leader of Russia. When the Soviet Union collapsed, he became the most important leader of the former republics.

President H.W. George Bush, left, and Russian President Boris Yeltsin, right, signing the START II treaty in Moscow in 1993

President Bush and President Yeltsin signed another strategic arms reduction treaty, START II, in January nineteen ninety-three.

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BUSH: “My fellow citizens, last night I ordered U.S. military forces to Panama. No president takes such action lightly.”

One of George Bush's military actions as president was to send troops into Panama in December nineteen eighty-nine.

They captured the country's leader, General Manuel Noriega. The United States had charged Noriega with drug trafficking. He had also refused to honor election results that showed another candidate winning the presidency.

President Bush said he also sent troops to the Central American nation to protect the thirty-five-thousand Americans living there.

The American troops easily defeated Noriega’s forces. He was taken to the United States where he was tried, found guilty and sent to prison for many years. The United States then supported the presidency of Guillermo Endara, the winner of the election in Panama.

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BUSH: “Five months ago, Saddam Hussein started this cruel war against Kuwait. Tonight, the battle has been joined.”