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Skriven 2006-06-22 23:34:32 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0606226) for Thu, 2006 Jun 22
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President's Remarks to the People of Hungary
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 22, 2006

President's Remarks to the People of Hungary
Gellert Hill
Budapest, Hungary


˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Global Diplomacy

4:38 P.M. (Local)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Yo napote kivanok. (Applause.) Thank
you for your warm welcome. I first want to thank the President for his
gracious hospitality and the chance to visit Sandor Palace. It's a
beautiful site, and I know you're proud of it. I also want to thank your
Prime Minister for his hospitality and the chance to go to the Parliament
Building. Laura and I particularly liked to see the Holy Crown of St.
Stephen. It was beautiful. It's a grand reminder of the great history of
Hungary.

I thank the Hungarian people for their gracious reception. Laura and I are
honored to visit your great nation. Hungary sits at the heart of Europe.
Hungary represents the triumph of liberty over tyranny, and America is
proud to call Hungary a friend.

I appreciate the opportunity to stand here on Gellert Hill, which offers a
striking view of your beautiful city. Fifty years ago, you could watch
history being written from this hill. In 1956, the Hungarian people
suffered under a communist dictatorship and domination by a foreign power.
That fall, the Hungarian people had decided they had had enough and
demanded change. From this spot you could see tens of thousands of students
and workers and other Hungarians marching through the streets. They called
for an end to dictatorship, to censorship, and to the secret police. They
called for free elections, a free press, and the release of political
prisoners. These Hungarian patriots tore down the statue of Josef Stalin,
and defied an empire to proclaim their liberty.

Twelve days after the Hungarian people stood up for their liberty, the
communists in Moscow responded with great brutality. Soon the streets of
Budapest were filled with Soviet tanks. The Red Army killed many who
resisted, including women and children. The Soviets threw many more into
prison. They crushed the Hungarian uprising, but not the Hungarian people's
thirst for freedom.

Some 200,000 Hungarians fled into exile in search of liberty. Many found
refuge in the United States. These immigrants have contributed to my
country in countless ways, and America will always be glad that we opened
our doors to Hungarians that were seeking freedom. Fifty years later, the
sacrifice of the Hungarian people inspires all who love liberty. Some of
those who faced those tanks are here today. I had the honor of meeting
three such gentlemen at lunch. I was proud to be in their presence. America
honors your courage. We've learned from your example, and we resolve that
when people stand up for their freedom, America will stand with them.

In 1989, a new generation of Hungarians returned to the streets to demand
their liberty, and boldly helped others secure their freedom, as well. By
giving shelter to those fleeing tyranny and opening your border to the
West, you helped bring down the Iron Curtain, and gave the hope of freedom
to millions in Central and Eastern Europe. Because you had the courage to
lead, Hungary became the first communist nation in Europe to make the
transition to democracy.

Hungary has continued to move forward. You regained your independence, held
free elections, and established a free economy. Hungary is now a valued
member of NATO and the European Union. You know that the democratic journey
is not easy, but you continue to make the tough decisions that are
necessary to succeed. America admires your perseverance, we welcome your
progress, and America values our alliance with the free people of Hungary.

You believe that free nations have an obligation to help others realize the
benefits of freedom. So last year, you launched the International Center
for Democratic Transition here in Budapest. You set that center up to help
others learn from your country's experiences. Hungary was also an early
contributor to the United Nations Democracy Fund, which supports emerging
democracies with legal and technical and financial assistance. And
together, America and Hungary helped launch the Foundation for the Future,
which supports democratic reformers, independent journalists, women's
groups, and human rights advocates throughout the Middle East. Hungary is
making a difference in our world, and I thank you for your leadership in
freedom's cause.

Hungary is also showing courage in freedom's cause. In Kosovo, Hungarian
soldiers are helping to secure the peace. Your work is aiding the rise of
democracy in a region that has endured violence and tyranny for many
decades. By your efforts, you're helping the people of the Balkans
establish free and democratic societies, and you're paving the way for
their membership in the institutions of a united Europe.

Hungarian troops are also defending freedom's cause in the war on terror.
In Afghanistan, your soldiers have rebuilt schools and a medical center.
They've helped train Afghan police to enforce the rule of law, and to
protect the Afghan people. In Iraq, Hungarian troops played a vital role in
Operation Iraqi Freedom by providing security and delivering food and
medical supplies to coalition forces. Today, Hungarian soldiers are helping
to train Iraqi security forces. This is important work. By supporting these
two young democracies, you are strengthening two new allies in the war on
terror, and you're bringing hope to millions of people in a vital region of
the world.

Last week, I traveled to Baghdad. I was impressed by what I saw. Americans
and Hungarians, and other coalition partners can be proud of what we have
achieved in partnership with the Iraqi people. I met with Iraq's new Prime
Minister, and was able to see firsthand his strong character, his
commitment to freedom, and his determination to succeed. Hungarians will
recognize this spirit: Prime Minister Maliki is committed to the democratic
ideals that also inspired Hungarian patriots in 1956 and 1989. He has a
sound plan to improve security, to unify his people, and to deliver a
better life for the citizens of Iraq. The success of the new Iraqi
government is vital to the security of all nations, and so it deserves the
support of the international community. We will continue to help the Iraqi
government establish free institutions, to achieve its goals, and we will
continue to help Iraq take its rightful place alongside America and Hungary
as beacons of liberty in our world.

Iraq's young democracy still faces determined enemies, people who will use
violence and brutality to stop the march of freedom. Defeating these
enemies will require sacrifice and continued patience -- the kind of
patience the good people of Hungary displayed after 1956. We will help them
rebuild a country destroyed by a tyrant. We'll help the Iraqis defeat the
enemies of freedom. Our commitment is certain, our objective is clear. The
new Iraqi government will show the world the promise of a thriving
democracy in the heart of the Middle East.

The Hungarian people know well the promise of freedom. Many of you lived
through the nightmare of fascism, or communism, or both. Yet you never lost
hope. You kept faith in freedom. And 50 years after you watched Soviet
tanks invade your beloved city, you now watch your grandchildren play in
the streets of a free Hungary.

The lesson of the Hungarian experience is clear: Liberty can be delayed,
but it cannot be denied. The desire for liberty is universal, because it is
written by our Creator into the hearts of every man, woman, and child on
this Earth. And as people across the world step forward to claim their own
freedom, they will take inspiration from your example, and draw hope from
your success.

Earlier today Laura and I laid a bouquet of flowers at the 1956 Memorial
Monument across the river. It was our privilege to do so. It was a moving
moment for us. Hokok Square is named for the father of Hungarian democracy,
and honors more than a century-and-a-half of Hungarian sacrifice in
freedom's cause.

A bust of this great leader stands in the U.S. Capitol. It affirms that
those who fight for liberty are heroes not only in their own land, but of
all free nations. All who love liberty are linked together across the
generations, and across the world.

Your great poet Peteofi said this:
"Here is the time, now or never!
Shall we be slaves or free?
This is the question, answer!
By the God of the Hungarians we swear,
We swear to be slaves no more!"

These words were addressed to the Hungarian people, yet they speak to all
people, in all times. This is the spirit that we honor today. I appreciate
the opportunity to come to this great country and to celebrate the
Hungarian example -- the courage, the sacrifice, the perseverance that has
led to this democracy.

On behalf of all Americans: Köszönöm. May God bless you all. Thank you very
much. (Applause.)

END 4:50 P.M. (Local)
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