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Skriven 2005-03-29 23:33:26 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (050329) for Tue, 2005 Mar 29
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President Discusses Freedom and Democracy
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 29, 2005

President Discusses Freedom and Democracy
The Rose Garden

President's Remarks
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11:25 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you. Good morning. Welcome to the White
House. Please be seated. Senator Warner, it's good to see you, sir. Thank
you for coming. I appreciate citizens from Iraq who have joined us. I
appreciate my fellow citizens who have joined us. Thanks for coming.

Before I talk about Iraq, I do want to say that on behalf of the American
people, Laura and I offer our condolences to the victims of yesterday's
earthquake in Indonesia. This earthquake has claimed lives and destroyed
buildings in a part of Indonesia that is only now beginning to recover from
the destruction caused by the tsunami three months ago. Our officials have
offered initial assistance and are moving quickly to gather information to
determine what additional relief is needed.

I appreciate Andrew Natsios of USAID being with us today, and I know he and
his team are ready to respond, to help. People of Indonesia can know, as
well, that they have our prayers and that our government is ready to
assist.

Just a few minutes ago I met with a group of people dedicated to building a
new Iraq. Most of them were born in Iraq. They come from different
backgrounds; they practice different religions; they have one thing in
common -- they all voted in the January elections. (Applause.)

We're also joined today by Iraqi law students visiting the United States
for an international competition, by members of Iraq's religious
communities in town to learn about democracy, and by others who helped
organize the -- Iraq's elections held in the United States. I want to
welcome you all. I want to thank you for your strong belief in democracy
and freedom. It's a belief that, with their vote, the Iraqi people signal
to the world that they intend to claim their liberty and build a future of
freedom for their country. And it was a powerful signal.

I commend the more than 8 million Iraqis who defied the car bombers and
assassins to vote that day. (Applause.) I appreciate the determination of
the Iraqi electoral workers who withstood threats and intimidation to make
a transparent election possible. I salute the courageous Iraqi security
forces who risked their lives to protect voters.

By electing 275 men and women to the transitional national assembly, the
Iraqi people took another bold step toward self-government. Today, Iraqis
took another step on the road to a free society when the assembly held its
second meeting. We expect a new government will be chosen soon and that the
assembly will vote to confirm it. We look forward to working with the
government that emerges from this process. We're confident that this new
government will be inclusive, will respect human rights, and will uphold
fundamental freedoms for all Iraqis.

We have seen many encouraging signs in Iraq. The world has watched Iraqi
women vote in enormous numbers. (Applause.) The world has seen more than 80
women take their seats as elected representatives in the new assembly.
(Applause.) We've also seen the beginnings of a new national dialogue, as
leaders who did well in the last election have reached out to Sunnis who
did not participate.

In a democracy, the government must uphold the will of the majority while
respecting the rights of minorities. (Applause.) And Iraq's new leaders are
determined that the government of a free Iraq will be representative of
their country's diverse population. The new transitional national assembly
includes people and parties with differing visions for the future of their
country. In a democratic Iraq, these differences will be resolved through
debate and persuasion, instead of force and intimidation.

In forming their new government, the Iraqis have shown that the spirit of
compromise has survived more than three decades of dictatorship. They will
need that spirit in the weeks and months ahead, as they continue the hard
work of building their democracy. After choosing the leaders of their new
government, the next step will be the drafting of a new constitution for a
free and democratic Iraq. In October, that document is scheduled to be put
before the Iraqi people in a national referendum. Once the new constitution
is approved, Iraqis will return to the polls to elect a permanent,
constitutional government.

This democracy will need defending. And Iraqi security forces are taking on
greater responsibility in the fight against the insurgents and terrorists.
Today, more than 145,000 Iraqis have been trained and are serving
courageously across Iraq. In recent weeks, they've taken the lead in
offensive operations in places like Baghdad and Samara and Mosul. We will
continue to train Iraqis so they can take responsibility for the security
of their country, and then our forces will come home with the honor they've
earned. (Applause.)

Iraqis are taking big steps on a long journey of freedom. A free society
requires more than free elections; it also requires free institutions, a
vibrant civil society, rule of law, anti-corruption, and the habits of
liberty built over generations. By claiming their own freedom, the Iraqis
are transforming the region, and they're doing it by example and
inspiration, rather than by conquest and domination. (Applause.) The free
people of Iraq are now doing what Saddam Hussein never could -- making Iraq
a positive example for the entire Middle East. (Applause.)

Today, people in a long-troubled part of the world are standing up for
their freedom. In the last few months, we've witnessed successful elections
in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Palestinian Territories; peaceful
demonstrations on the streets of Beirut, and steps toward democratic reform
in places like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The trend is clear: Freedom is on
the march. Freedom is the birthright and deep desire of every human soul,
and spreading freedom's blessings is the calling of our time. And when
freedom and democracy take root in the Middle East, America and the world
will be safer and more peaceful. (Applause.)

I want to thank you all for coming. We ask for God's blessings on the brave
souls of Iraq, and God continue to bless the American people. Thank you.
(Applause.)

END 11:35 A.M. EST

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