Pres. Bush's "Freedom Agenda"

" It's. Please listen. Andrea thank you for the kind introduction I am honored to join you all today to express America solidarity. With those who yearn for liberty around the world. Captive nations week was first observed. In 1950 -- 59. At a time when Soviet communism seemed ascendant. Few. People at first gathering kind of envisioned then what to that the Cold War would -- the way it did. With the triumph of the shipyard workers in Poland. Velvet revolution Prague. The fall of the Berlin wall. The peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union. Captive nations -- the chance for us to reflect on that remarkable history. And honor the brave dissidents and democracy activist who helps secure freedom's victory. In the great ideological struggle of the twentieth century. Captive nation which is also a chance. To reflect on the challenges we face in the 21 century. Challenge of the new ideological struggle against violent extremism. In this struggle. We can go forward with confidence. Free nations have faced determined. Enemies before and have prevailed. And we won't prevail again. I appreciate your leadership of USA ID Henry and I want to thank all those who work for this very important -- Appreciate you being on the front lines of compassion. And decency. And liberty. I'm honored to be here with secretary of commerce Carlos Gutierrez. The Cuban dissidents have no better friend than Carlos Gutierrez us. Think about America. Karros was raised born in Cuba. Today he sits in the cabinet of the president of the United States. I loved what our country represents. Can cause I thank you for -- proud of -- with ambassador John neighbor upon day. He's the deputy secretary of the Department of State deputy secretary of defense Gordon England was with us. Ambassador Marc -- of all US global aids coordinator. Come -- mark other members of the administration. A lot of members from the diplomatic corps thank you for coming. I'm proud to be in your presence. I believe America's hope for the world because we're a nation that -- stands strong for freedom. We believe that every man woman and child. Is given the gift delivery by our creator. That's a fundamental belief of the United States. Chairs believers scattered our leaders from America's earliest days. She is belief and George Washington's assertion that freedom's cause. And she put it the cause is the cause of mankind. We -- Lincoln summoning of despair with prizes liberty is a heritage of all man in all lands. Everywhere. We -- Wilson's pledge to make the world safe for democracy in World War I. And FDR's determination to make America the arsenal of democracy. In World War II. She -- Kennedy's promise to pay any price. To assure the survival and success of liberty. And Ronald Reagan's call to move toward a world which all people. Or at last free determine their own destiny. Over the years different presidents. From different terrorists. Different political parties. Have -- to defend. And advance the cause of liberty. These actions included -- policies such as the land lease at the Marshall plan in the Berlin airlift the creation of NATO and the Voice of America. Support for freedom fighters in Central America the liberation of Granada Panama. Because we are steadfast in Liberty's defense. Cause of freedom prevailed. The dominant century our belief in the universality of freedom is being challenged once again. So all the challenge on September the eleventh 2001. On that day terrorists. Harbored by tyrannical regime thousands of miles from America. Brought death and destruction to our shores. To learn important lessons. To protect America we must fight the enemy abroad so we don't have to face them here. And protect America. We must defeat the ideology of hatred by spreading. The hope of freedom. Past seven years exactly what we've done. 9/11. Recognizing we're war. And we must stop new attacks before they happen. Not wait. Until after they have. -- have. Given our intelligence and law enforcement Homeland Security professionals tools they need to stop the terrorists before they strike again. Transforming -- military to meet the threats of the new century. Put pressure on the enemy. We've captured or killed thousands of terrorists. Including most of those responsible for the September 11 attacks. We remove regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq to threaten our citizens in the peace in the world. And we're helping the people of those two nations fight the terrorists. Who want to establish new safe havens from which to launch attacks on America and our friends. The long run them. The best way to defeat the terrorists is to offer hopeful alternative to their murderous ideology. And that alternative. It's based on human liberty. She hopeful beginning for the cause of liberty at the start of the 21 century. The last seven years we've these senior citizens in Afghanistan and Iraq emerge from tyranny. To establish representative government. We -- citizens in Georgia and Ukraine stand up. For their right to free and fair elections. -- people eleven not taken the streets to demand your independence. She strides toward democracy taken by nations such as Kuwait in Liberia Mauritania Morocco and Pakistan. It's in our national interest to continue liberties advance. Because we know from history. That the advance of freedom is necessary for our security for world peace. Think about World War II. During that conflict Japan Germany where enemies of America invaded their neighbors and destabilize the world today. Japan and Germany are strong democracies. And good friends. And strong allies. In the cause of peace. During the Cold War the nations of central and Eastern Europe were part of the Warsaw pact alliance that was poised to attack question Europe. Today. Most of those nations are members of the NATO alliance. -- using their freedom day the rise of other young democracies. These experiences. We have seen the transformative power of freedom. Receive a free society don't harbor terrorists. Or launch unprovoked attack on their neighbors. Free societies are peaceful societies. That is why the United States of America must continue to cause to leave because of freedom. The past seven years we've learned leading the cause of freedom requires. Combat in hopelessness. And struggling nations. Combating hopeless this is in America's security interests. Because the only way our enemies can recruit people to their dark ideology is to exploit distress and despair. Combating hopelessness. There -- moral interests. Americans believe that too much is given much is required. So the challenge for America in the years ahead is to continue to help people struggling nations achieve freedom from corruption. Freedom from disease. Freedom from poverty freedom from hunger and freedom from tyranny. -- America must continue to use our foreign assistance to promote democracy and good government. Increased -- alone will not help nations overcoming institutional challenges that whole entire societies back. The effective RA must be targeted to encourage them to promote development of free. And accountable institutions. Past seven years -- more than double the federal budget for democracy and governance and human rights programs. We've increased the budget for the national endowment of democracy more by more than a 150%. Since 2001. We transform the way we deliberated by creating the millennium challenge account. Should new approach to foreign assistance. Which offer support to developing nations to fight corruption. And govern justly. And open their economies and invest in health and education for people. The challenge for future presidents. And future congresses will be to ensure that America's generosity remains tied to the promotion of transparency. And accountability. And prosperity. Years ahead America must continue to promote free trade and open investment. Over the long term trade investment and the best ways to fight poverty. And build strong and prosperous societies. For the past seven years we expanded the African growth and opportunity act. Which is spreading prosperity by dramatically increasing trade between the United States and Africa. In planet implemented free trade agreements with -- eleven countries. Creating hope and opportunity for both our citizens. And as citizens of these nations. Striving to make this fear that the world completes an ambitious -- trade agreement. We'll open up new markets for American goods and services and help alleviate poverty around the world. The challenge for future presidents. And future congresses. Is to reject the false temptation of protectionism. And keep the world open for trade. The years ahead America must continue to fight against disease. Nations afflicted with the debilitating public health crises. Cannot build strong and prosperous societies for their citizens. America's helping these nations were placed -- in this affair with healing and hope. Who work in fifteen African nations to cut the number of malaria related deaths in half. Emergency plan for aids relief known as -- Supporting treatment of more than one point seven million people. Congress will soon pass legislation to significantly expand its vital initiative. Spending your first train health workers for the poorest countries. Treat he neglected tropical diseases such as river blindness and lukewarm. The challenge for future presidents. And future congresses. Will be to continue this commitment. So that we can lift the shadow of malaria. And HIV aids and other diseases once and for all. Years ahead America must continue to lead the fight against global hunger. Nobel prize winner Norman Kurland once said you can't build peace on empty stomachs. America's -- called feed the hungry. This year the United States provided more than one point eight billion dollars in new funds. To bolster global food security. For the world's largest provider food -- I strongly believe we must transform the way that our food aid is delivered. When and -- in -- Brady proposal -- to purchase up to 25% of their food assistance directly from farmers in developing nations. And help build up local agriculture. It'll help break the cycle of famine and ask the United States congress to approve this measure as soon as possible. The challenge for future presidents. And future congresses will be a fine still other innovative ways to alleviate hunger. -- promoting greater self reliance and developing nations. In the years ahead America must continue to lead the cause of human rights. Soviet dissident. Andrei -- once compared it to radical state to a soldier who holds a rifle on his enemy. -- his arms finally tired of prisoner escapes. It's important we never strengthening arms. The role of free nations like ours is to put pressure on the arms. Of the world's tyrants. And strengthen the prisoners who were striving for their -- Past seven years we've spoken out against human rights abuses veteran -- seems like those in the wrong. Sudan. And Syria. In Zimbabwe. Spoken candidly about human rights of nations whom we've got good relations. Such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia and China. Keeping this commitment today I renew my call for the release of all prisoners of conscious around the world. Including a minority you. And so on -- Burma. Was going to be said of scuba. We -- safe. Syria. To ensure our government continues to speak out for those who have no other voice. I recently issued a directive instructing all senior US official serving an undemocratic countries to maintain regular contact with political dissidents and democracy activists. Challenge for future presidents. And future congresses. Is to ensure that America always stands for those seeking freedom. And never hesitates to shine the light of conscience and abuses of human rights around the world. Generally had a mansion with us today are individuals who suffered terribly in the cause of freedom. Whose origins for our country. And there are examples of resilience and resolve. -- give us courage. Another mention all the ones and bad but I'd like to make. Mentions them. First we Stanley Blanca Gonzales. Her son nor remember Hernandez Gonzales remains in casual look for speaking the truth about the Cuban regime."

" David you."

" Damn little duck whose Alina. Her father Alexander could easily and remains imprisoned belarus'. The crime of running for president. Book. Stand with -- chair. Mohammed. Both he and his brother were viciously tortured by the Iranian authorities. He was the only one who survived an escaped. Welcome to."

" Kremlin Johjima had."

" Who witnessed several of her family members starve to death in North Korea. She herself was tortured by the Communist authorities."

" Thank you all for coming."

" the other she took time Saturday to -- as well. Appreciate your testament to universal desire for freedom. It's morning have a message for all those throughout the world who languishing tyranny. And other moments when it feels like your loaning your struggle. You're not old. American -- you. Maybe -- citizens stand with you. And hope still lives. Even -- places. And our moments. Even now changes during and places like Iran and Damascus and Tehran. The people these nations dream of a free future. Hope for a free future. And believe that if the future will come. And it will. May god be with them in their struggle. America always will be. -- and come back. Again --"