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Skriven 2007-06-05 23:34:36 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0706056) for Tue, 2007 Jun 5
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Fact Sheet: Advancing Freedom and Democracy Around the World
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 5, 2007

Fact Sheet: Advancing Freedom and Democracy Around the World U.S. Pursues
Freedom Agenda By Strengthening Support For Democratic Dissidents, Helping
Build Democratic Institutions

ÿÿWhite House News

ÿÿÿÿÿ In Focus: G-8 Summit 2007

Today, At An International Conference On Democracy And Security In Prague,
Czech Republic, President Bush Discussed Steps America Has Taken And Will
Take In Pursuit Of The Freedom Agenda. In his Second Inaugural Address,
President Bush pledged America to the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in
the world. The President traveled to Prague to discuss U.S. actions in
support of this goal. Today's conference, "Democracy and Security: Core
Values and Sound Policies," was convened by three of the great modern
advocates for freedom: Jose Maria Aznar, Vaclav Havel, and Natan Sharansky.

  þ The United States Is Committed To The Advance Of Freedom And Democracy
    As The Great Alternatives To Repression And Radicalism. The most
    powerful weapon in the struggle against extremism is the universal
    appeal of freedom. Freedom is the best way to unleash the creativity
    and economic potential of a nation, the only ordering of a society that
    leads to justice, and the only way to achieve human rights.

  þ Expanding Freedom Is More Than A Moral Imperative - It Is The Only
    Realistic Way To Protect Our People. The 9/11 attacks were evidence of
    an international movement of violent Islamic extremists that threatens
    free people everywhere. Nations that commit to freedom for their people
    will not support extremists; they will join in defeating them.

Under The Freedom Agenda, America Is Strengthening Support For Democratic
Dissidents

Today, The President Announced He Has Asked Secretary Of State Condoleezza
Rice To Direct Every U.S. Ambassador In An Un-Free Nation To Seek Out And
Meet With Activists For Democracy And Human Rights.

The President Has Met Personally With Dissidents And Democratic Activists,
Including:

  þ Belarus: Syvatlana Zavadskaya, Irina Krasovskaya, 2/27/2006

  þ Burma: Charm Tong, 10/31/2005

  þ China: Yu Jie, Wang Yi, Li Bauiguang, 5/11/2006

  þ Cuba: Isabel Roque and others, 5/20/2003

  þ Cuban Americans: Eleno Oviedo, Luis Zuniga, Caridad Roque, Emilio
    Estefan, 5/20/2005

  þ Democratic Republic of the Congo: Immaculee Birhaheka, 6/27/2006

  þ Egypt: Engy El-Haddad, 9/19/2006

  þ Iran: Azar Nafisi, 11/2/2005

  þ North Korea: Gwang-Cheol Kim, Gwi-Ok Lee, Han-Mi Kim, Seung Min Kim,
    4/28/2006

  þ Russia: Yuri Dzhibladze, 9/19/2006

  þ Sierra Leone: Zainab Bangurra, 6/27/2006

  þ Sudan: Alfred Taban, 6/27/2006; Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, 3/8/2006; Simon
    Deng, 4/28/2006

  þ Uzbekistan: Nozima Kamalova, 9/19/2006

  þ Venezuela: Carlos Ponce, 9/19/2006; Maria Corina Machado, 5/31/2005

  þ Vietnam: Cong Thanh Do, Diem Do, Nguyen LeMinh, Quan Nguyen, 5/31/2007

  þ Zimbabwe: Reginald Matchabe-Hove, 9/19/2006 and 6/27/2006

The Administration Recently Created A Human Rights Defenders Fund, Which
Provides Grants For The Legal Defense And Medical Expenses Of Activists
Arrested Or Beaten By Repressive Governments. This fund began with $1
million and will be replenished as needed.

Beginning In December 2007, The Secretary Of State Will Present Two Awards
Annually To Recognize Those Striving To Advance Human Dignity.

1. Freedom Defenders Award: This award will be given to a foreign activist
or NGO that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing liberty
and courage in the face of adversity.

2. Diplomacy For Freedom Award: This award will honor the U.S. Ambassador
who best advances the President's Freedom Agenda by working to end tyranny
and promote democracy using the full array of political, economic,
diplomatic, and other tools.

Under The Freedom Agenda, America Is Helping Emerging Democracies Build The
Institutions That Sustain Liberty

The United States Has Nearly Doubled Funding For Democracy Projects Since
2001. The President's FY 2008 Budget requests nearly $1.5 billion in
funding for Democracy, Governance and Human Rights - up from less than $700
million in 2001. In addition, funding for the National Endowment for
Democracy has more than doubled from $31 million to $80 million since 2001.

It Is The Responsibility Of Those Who Enjoy The Blessings Of Liberty To
Help Those Who Are Struggling To Establish Free Societies.

  þ America is working with its partners in the G-8 to promote the rise of
    a vibrant civil society in the Middle East through initiatives like the
    Forum for the Future.

  þ America is cooperating side-by-side with the new democracies in
    Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan.

  þ The United States congratulates the people of Yemen on their landmark
    presidential election and the people of Kuwait on elections in which
    women were able to vote and run for office for the first time.

  þ The U.S. stands firmly behind the people of Lebanon, Afghanistan, and
    Iraq as they defend their democratic gains against extremist enemies.

America Is Also Using Its Influence To Urge Valued Partners Like Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, And Pakistan To Move Toward Freedom. These nations have taken
brave stands and strong action to confront extremists, along with some
steps to expand liberty and transparency. Yet they have a great distance
still to travel. The U.S. will continue to press nations like these to open
up their political systems and give a greater voice to their people.

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