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Skriven 2005-11-21 23:33:10 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (051121) for Mon, 2005 Nov 21
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President Discusses Freedom and Democracy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 21, 2005

President Discusses Freedom and Democracy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Conference Hall
Government House
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia


˙˙˙˙˙President's Visit to Asia

2:13 P.M. (Local)

THE PRESIDENT: Amar bain uu? (Applause.) Thanks for the warm welcome. And,
Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality. I thank you, the Prime
Minister, and the government for such gracious hospitality. I want to thank
the First Lady for being so kind to Laura. It is really, really an honor to
be here in your great country. And we bring with us the good wishes of the
American people.

I'm here on an important international mission. Secretary Rumsfeld asked me
to check on his horse. (Laughter.) I feel very much at home here in your
country. This is a beautiful land, with huge skies and vast horizons --
kind of like Texas. (Applause.) I thank you for the invitation. I'm honored
to be the first sitting American President to visit Mongolia, and America
is proud to call you the third neighbor. (Applause.)

Fifteen years ago, Mongolians gathered outside this great hall by the
thousands, braving sub-zero temperatures and defying a repressive regime,
to demand their liberty. The protesters included students and workers and
monks, and a group of young democrats on a hunger strike. By the force of
their convictions, they drove the communist leadership from power. Within
months, free elections were held, and a free Mongolia was born. And today,
one of the young hunger strikers who stood vigil outside the building now
serves as the Prime Minister of your great nation. (Applause.)

Mongolia has made the transition from communism to freedom, and in just 15
years, you've established a vibrant democracy and opened up your economy.
You're an example of success for this region and for the world. I know the
transition to liberty has not always been easy and Americans admire your
patience and your determination. By your daily efforts, you're building a
better life for your children and your grandchildren. And I've come to tell
you, as you build a free society in the heart of Central Asia, the American
people stand with you. (Applause.)

Earlier this year, when a terrible hurricane struck my nation's Gulf Coast,
the Mongolian people stood with us. Even before the flood waters had fully
receded, your government pledged aid, and a group of business leaders in
Mongolia raised additional money. These funds are helping to rebuild
shattered lives in my country. In a time of tragedy for America, Mongolia
showed her compassionate heart, and my country thanks you for your support
and friendship. (Applause.)

Americans and Mongolians have much in common. Both our nations were settled
by pioneers on horseback who tamed the rugged plains. Both our nations
shook the yoke of colonial rule, and built successful free societies. And
both our nations know that our responsibilities in freedom's cause do not
end at our borders, and that survival of liberty in our own lands
increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands.

This conviction has inspired the Mongolian people to share the hope of
freedom with others who have not known it. Mongolian officers have served
in missions to keep the peace in Western Sahara and the Congo. Your forces
are serving alongside U.S. and coalition forces helping to train the Armed
Forces of a free Afghanistan. And in September, Mongolia sent its fifth
rotation of forces to Iraq and Mongolian soldiers are serving in that
country with courage and great distinction. (Applause.)

Two Mongolian soldiers named Sergeants Azzaya and Sambuu-Yondon are here
with us today risked their lives to stop a suicide bomber who was trying to
drive a truck full of explosives into a coalition mess tent. As the truck
hurtled towards them, they opened fire killing the terrorist and saving
countless lives. As Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces, I
thank these brave Mongolian soldiers, and all who have served on the front
lines of the war on terror. (Applause.) The Mongolian Armed Forces are
serving the cause of freedom and the United States Armed Forces are proud
to serve beside such fearless warriors.

In Iraq, Mongolian forces have helped make possible a stunning
transformation. Earlier this year, Iraqis went to the polls and chose their
leaders in free elections. Last month, they returned to the polls and
approved a democratic constitution for a free Iraq. And in a few weeks
time, Iraqis will vote once again to choose a fully constitutional
government to lead them for the next four years. With their ballots, the
Iraqi people are sending a clear message: There will be no return to the
days of tyranny and terror; the future of Iraq belongs to freedom.
(Applause.)

Many of you can still recall the exhilaration of voting freely for the
first time after decades of tyranny. You know the satisfaction of seeing
leaders you chose take office -- and of seeing them leave office if you
decide to replace them. You know the feeling of living under a constitution
that guarantees personal liberties like free speech, free assembly, and
equality before the law. And now, because of the courage of Mongolian and
coalition forces, the people of Iraq know this feeling, as well.

In Iraq, the advance of freedom is opposed by determined adversaries, the
followers of a murderous ideology, who exploit the religion of Islam to
serve a violent political vision. They kill the innocent in pursuit of a
totalitarian empire that denies all political and religious freedom. Like
the ideology of communism, the ideology of Islamic radicalism is led by a
self-appointed vanguard that presumes to speak for the masses. Like the
ideology of communism, Islamic radicalism teaches the innocent can be
murdered to serve their brutal aims. Like the ideology of communism,
Islamic radicalism is dismissive of free peoples, claiming that men and
women who live in liberty are weak and decadent. And like the ideology of
communism, the ideology of Islamic radicalism is destined to fall because
the will to power is no match for the universal desire to live in liberty.
(Applause.)

Free people did not falter in the Cold War, and free people will not falter
in the war on terror. (Applause.) We see the determination to live in
freedom in the courage of Iraqi and Afghan citizens who defied the
terrorists to cast their ballots. We see it in the bravery of ordinary
Lebanese who waved cedar flags and drove an occupying power from their
borders. And we've seen it in the daily courage of the Mongolian people who
claimed their freedom 15 years ago, and are now standing with others across
the world to help them do the same.

As you help others secure the blessings of liberty, you continue the work
of building a free society here at home, and as you travel this path, the
United States walks with you. (Applause.) Earlier this year, I announced a
new Solidarity Initiative to provide financial assistance to nations like
Mongolia that are standing with America in the war on terror. Mongolia will
receive $11 million under this initiative, critical funds to help you
improve your military forces, so we can continue working together for the
cause of peace and freedom.

Mongolia has undertaken political and economic reforms. You have now held
numerous free elections and two peaceful transitions of power from one
party to another, which is a sign of a successful democracy. This year,
Mongolia ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and I
urge your parliament to pass the anti-corruption legislation needed to
implement that treaty. After decades of centralization, you privatized more
than 80 percent of Mongolia's state enterprises, and the Mongolian economy
grew at a rate of more than 10 percent last year.

In recognition of your progress, Mongolia has been named a country eligible
for assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account, a new program the
United States has established to assist countries that govern justly,
invest in their people, and promote economic freedom. My administration is
committed to working with your country to complete a Millennium Challenge
compact as soon as possible and to help the Mongolian people continue on
the path of reform. (Applause.)

Next year, your country will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the
founding of Mongolia. There's a legend of a Mongolian woman who gave each
of her five sons an arrow. She told each to break the arrow in his hand,
which they did. She then tied the five arrows together, and told each to
try and break the bundle. None could do it. And she told them, brothers who
stand alone, like single arrow shafts, can be broken by anyone; but
brothers who stand together, like a bundle of arrows, cannot be broken.
Today, Mongolia and the United States are standing together as brothers in
the cause of freedom. (Applause.) And if free nations remain united, no
force of tyranny or terror will break us.

I've come here to thank you for your contributions to freedom's cause and
to tell you that the American people appreciate your courage and value your
friendship. And on behalf of all Americans, ikh bayarlalaa. (Applause.) And
may God bless your wonderful country. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

END 2:25 P.M. (Local)

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