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Skriven 2005-05-10 23:32:58 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0505102) for Tue, 2005 May 10
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President Addresses and Thanks Citizens in Tbilisi, Georgia
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 10, 2005

President Addresses and Thanks Citizens in Tbilisi, Georgia
Freedom Square
Tbilisi, Georgia



1:27 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you for that introduction. Citizens of
a free Georgia, Laura and I were in the neighborhood -- we thought we'd
swing by and say gamarjoba. (Applause.)

I am proud to stand beside a President who has shown such spirit,
determination, and leadership in the cause of freedom. (Applause.) And
Laura and I are proud to stand with the courageous people of Georgia, in
this place that has earned a proud name -- Freedom Square. (Applause.)

When Georgians gathered here 16 years ago, this square had a different
name. Under Lenin's steely gaze, thousands of Georgians prayed and sang,
and demanded their independence. The Soviet army crushed that day of
protest, but they could not crush the spirit of the Georgian people.
(Applause.)

The following year, Georgians returned to this square and pulled down the
statue of Lenin. And on April 9th, 1991, you declared to the world that
Soviet Georgia was no more, and that the independent nation of Georgia was
born. (Applause.) On that historic day, you reclaimed your sovereignty, but
the hopeful start you made was not fulfilled. So 18 months ago, Georgians
returned to this square to complete the task you began in 1989. You
gathered here armed with nothing but roses and the power of your
convictions, and you claimed your liberty. And because you acted, Georgia
is today both sovereign and free, and a beacon of liberty for this region
and the world. (Applause.)

The path of freedom you have chosen is not easy, but you will not travel it
alone. Americans respect your courageous choice for liberty. And as you
build a free and democratic Georgia, the American people will stand with
you. (Applause.)

You are building a free future for your children and grandchildren, and you
are helping other nations to do the same. When the Afghan people defied
terrorists to vote in that nation's first free presidential elections,
Georgian soldiers were there to provide security. (Applause.) And last year
-- and last year, when terrorist violence in Iraq was escalating, Georgia
showed her courage. You increased your troop commitment in Iraq fivefold.
The Iraqi people are grateful, and so are your American and coalition
allies. (Applause.)

You are making many important contributions to freedom's cause, but your
most important contribution is your example. In recent months, the world
has marveled at the hopeful changes taking place from Baghdad to Beirut to
Bishkek. But before there was a Purple Revolution in Iraq, or an Orange
Revolution in Ukraine, or a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, there was the Rose
Revolution in Georgia. (Applause.) Your courage is inspiring democratic
reformers and sending a message that echos across the world: Freedom will
be the future of every nation and every people on Earth. (Applause.)

Building a free society is the work of generations. It took nearly 15 years
of struggle before liberty and justice fully took root in this country.
Many of the students and workers who gathered here on this square 18 months
ago were too young to remember the protests of 1989, but they took up
freedom's cause and finished the work that their parents had begun.
(Applause.)

Now, across the Caucasus, in Central Asia and the broader Middle East, we
see the same desire for liberty burning in the hearts of young people. They
are demanding their freedom -- and they will have it. (Applause.)

As free nations, the United States and Georgia have great responsibilities,
and together, we will do our duty. Free societies are peaceful societies.
And by extending liberty to millions who have not known it, we will advance
the cause of freedom, and we will advance the cause of peace. (Applause.)

In this global struggle for liberty, our duties begin at home. While
peaceful revolutions can bring down repressive regimes, the real changes
and the real challenge is to build up free institutions in their place.
This is difficult work, and you are undertaking it with dignity and
determination. (Applause.) You have taken tough steps to reform your
economy and to crack down on corruption. You are building a democratic
society where the rights of minorities are respected, where a free press
flourishes, a vigorous opposition is welcome, and unity is achieved through
peace. In this new Georgia, the rule of law will prevail, and freedom will
be the birthright of every citizen. (Applause.)

This was a dream of your late Prime Minister Zhvania who once said, "It is
not by mere chance that we have adopted two very important ideas as our
watch words: freedom and responsibility." Today, we pay tribute to this
Georgian patriot who became a great leader of the global democratic
revolution. In building a free and responsible society, you honor his
memory and you carry on his legacy. (Applause.

As you build free institutions at home, the ties that bind our nations will
grow deeper, as well. We respect Georgia's desire to join the institutions
of Europe. We encourage your closer cooperation with NATO. Georgia's
leaders know that the peaceful resolution of conflict is essential to your
integration into the transatlantic community. At the same time, the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia must be respected -- the
territorial [sic] and sovereignty of Georgia must be respected by all
nations. (Applause.)

We are living in historic times when freedom is advancing, from the Black
Sea to the Caspian, and to the Persian Gulf and beyond. As you watch free
people gathering in squares like this across the world, waving their
nations' flags and demanding their God-given rights, you can take pride in
this fact: They have been inspired by your example and they take hope in
your success. (Applause.)

As you build freedom in this country, you must know that the seeds of
liberty you are planting in Georgian soil are flowering across the globe.
(Applause.) I have come here to thank you for your courage. The American
people value your friendship, and admire your determination. On behalf of
all Americans, thank you, God bless you. Sakartvelos gaumarjos. (Applause.)

END 1:45 P.M. (Local)

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