PRESIDENT BUSH: Sveiki Draugi. (Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen, thank
you for the warm welcome. Madam President, Laura and I thank you for
your kind words of introduction, we thank you for your principled
leadership, and I thank you for your friendship, and we thank you for
the hospitality that you and Dr. Freibergs have shown us.
I want to thank the people of the Republic of Latvia for being
such gracious hosts for my visit here. And I want to also thank the
Prime Minister for joining us, and members of the government. Thank you,
Mr. Prime Minister. Laura and I are so pleased to make this second
journey to the Baltic States, and our first visit to the great land of
Latvia. We're honored, as well, to be in the company of President Ruutel
of Estonia, and President Adamkus of Lithuania -- thank you both for
coming. These are good friends to Latvia, and good friends to America.
The Baltic countries have seen one of the most dramatic
transformations in modern history, from captive nations to NATO allies
and EU members in little more than a decade. The Latvian, Estonian, and
Lithuanian people showed that the love of liberty is stronger than the
will of an empire. And today you're standing for liberty beyond your
borders, so that others do not suffer the injustices you have known. The
American people admire your moral courage in the cause of freedom.
This week, nations on both sides of the Atlantic observe the 60th
anniversary of Hitler's defeat. The evil that seized power in Germany
brought war to all of Europe, and waged war against morality, itself.
What began as a movement of thugs became a government without
conscience, and then an empire of bottomless cruelty. The Third Reich
exalted the strong over the weak, overran and humiliated peaceful
countries, undertook a mad quest for racial purity, coldly planned and
carried out the murder of millions, and defined evil for the ages. Brave
men and women of many countries faced that evil, and fought through dark
and desperate years for their families and their homelands. In the end,
a dictator who worshiped power was confined to four walls of a bunker,
and the fall of his squalid tyranny is a day to remember and to
celebrate.
Causes can be judged by the monuments they leave behind. The Nazi
terror is remembered today in places like Auschwitz, Dachau, Rumbula
Forest, where we still hear the cries of the innocent, and pledge to God
and history: Never again. The alliance that won the war is remembered
today in carefully tended cemeteries in Normandy, Margraten, St.
Petersburg, and other places across Europe, where we recall brief lives
of great honor, and we offer this pledge: We will always be grateful.
The Baltic states had no role in starting World War II. The battle
came here because of a secret pact between dictators. And when the war
came, many in this region showed their courage. After a puppet
government ordered the Latvian fleet to return to port, sailors on eight
freighters chose to remain at sea under the flag of free Latvia,
assisting the United States Merchant Marine in carrying supplies across
the Atlantic. A newspaper in the state of South Carolina described the
Latvian crew this way: "They all have beards and dressed so
differently... They are ... exhausted, but full of fighting spirit."
By the end of the war, six of the Latvian ships had been sunk, and
more than half the sailors had been lost. Nearly all of the survivors
settled in America, and became citizens we were proud to call our own.
One American town renamed a street Ciltvaira -- to honor a sunken ship
that sailed under a free Latvian flag. My country has always been
thankful for Latvia's friendship, and Latvia will always have the
friendship of America.
As we mark a victory of six days ago -- six decades ago, we are
mindful of a paradox. For much of Germany, defeat led to freedom. For
much of Eastern and Central Europe, victory brought the iron rule of
another empire. V-E Day marked the end of fascism, but it did not end
oppression. The agreement at Yalta followed in the unjust tradition of
Munich and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Once again, when powerful
governments negotiated, the freedom of small nations was somehow
expendable. Yet this attempt to sacrifice freedom for the sake of
stability left a continent divided and unstable. The captivity of
millions in Central and Eastern Europe will be remembered as one of the
greatest wrongs of history.
The end of World War II raised unavoidable questions for my country:
Had we fought and sacrificed only to achieve the permanent division of
Europe into armed camps? Or did the cause of freedom and the rights of
nations require more of us? Eventually, America and our strong allies
made a decision: We would not be content with the liberation of half of
Europe -- and we would not forget our friends behind an Iron Curtain. We
defended the freedom of Greece and Turkey, and airlifted supplies to
Berlin, and broadcast the message of liberty by radio. We spoke up for
dissenters, and challenged an empire to tear down a hated wall.
Eventually, communism began to collapse under external pressure, and
under the weight of its own contradictions. And we set the vision of a
Europe whole, free, and at peace -- so dictators could no longer rise up
and feed ancient grievances, and conflict would not be repeated again
and again.
In these decades of struggle and purpose, the Baltic peoples kept a
long vigil of suffering and hope. Though you lived in isolation, you
were not alone. The United States refused to recognize your occupation
by an empire. The flags of free Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania --
illegal at home -- flew proudly over diplomatic missions in the United
States. And when you joined hands in protest and the empire fell away,
the legacy of Yalta was finally buried, once and for all. The security
and freedom of the Baltic nations is now more than a noble aspiration;
it is the binding pledge of the alliance we share. The defense of your
freedom -- in defense of your freedom you will never stand alone.
From the vantage point of this new century, we recognize the end of
the Cold War as part of an even broader movement in our world. From
Germany and Japan after World War II, to Latin America, to Asia, and
Central and Eastern Europe, and now to the broader Middle East, the
advance of freedom is the great story of our age. And in this history,
there are important lessons. We have learned that free nations grow
stronger with time, because they rise on the creativity and enterprise
of their people. We have learned that governments accountable to
citizens are peaceful, while dictatorships stir resentments and hatred
to cover their own failings. We have learned that the skeptics and
pessimists are often wrong, because men and women in every culture, when
given the chance, will choose liberty. We have learned that even after a
long wait in the darkness of tyranny, freedom can arrive suddenly, like
the break of day. And we have learned that the demand for
self-government is often driven and sustained by patriotism, by the
traditions and heroes and language of a native land.
Yet we've also learned that sovereignty and majority rule are only
the beginnings of freedom. The promise of democracy starts with national
pride, and independence, and elections. But it does not end there. The
promise of democracy is fulfilled by minority rights, and equal justice
under the rule of law, and an inclusive society in which every person
belongs. A country that divides into factions and dwells on old
grievances cannot move forward, and risks sliding back into tyranny. A
country that unites all its people behind common ideals will multiply in
strength and confidence. The successful democracies of the 21st century
will not be defined by blood and soil. Successful democracies will be
defined by a broader ideal of citizenship -- based on shared principles,
shared responsibilities, and respect for all. For my own country, the
process of becoming a mature, multi-ethnic democracy was lengthy and
violent. Our journey from national independence to equal injustice [sic]
included the enslavement of millions, and a four-year civil war. Even
after slavery ended, a century passed before an oppressed minority was
guaranteed equal rights. Americans found that racial division almost
destroyed us, and the false doctrine of "separate but equal" was no
basis for a strong and unified country. The only way we found to rise
above the injustices of our history was to reject segregation, to move
beyond mere tolerance, and to affirm the brotherhood of everyone in our
land.
Latvia is facing the challenges that come with ethnic diversity, and
it's addressing these challenges in a uniformly peaceful way. Whatever
the historical causes, yours is now a multi-ethnic society -- as I have
seen on my visit. No wrongs of the past should ever be allowed to divide
you, or to slow your remarkable progress. While keeping your Latvian
identity and language, you have a responsibility to reach out to all who
share the future of Latvia. A welcoming and tolerant spirit will assure
the unity and strength of your country. Minorities here have a
responsibility as well -- to be citizens who seek the good of the
country in which they live. As inclusive, peaceful societies, all of the
Baltic nations can be models to every nation that follows the path of
freedom and democracy.
In recent months, the Baltic governments gave assistance during the
election in Ukraine, and the people of that country chose a wise and
visionary leader. As President Yushchenko works to strengthen the rule
of law and open Ukraine's economy, the United States will help that
nation join the institutions that bind our democracies. Later on this
trip I'll travel to Georgia, another country that is taking a democratic
path and deserves support on its journey. My country will stand by
Georgian leaders who respect minority rights and work to peacefully
unify their country, and grow closer to the free nations in Europe.
We're also committed to democratic progress in Moldova, where leaders
have pledged to expand freedom of the press, to protect minority rights,
and to make government institutions more accountable.
All of us are committed to the advance of freedom in Belarus. The
people of that country live under Europe's last dictatorship, and they
deserve better. The governments of Latvia and Lithuania have worked to
build support for democracy in Belarus, and to deliver truthful
information by radio and newspapers. Together we have set a firm and
confident standard: Repression has no place on this continent. The
people of Minsk deserve the same freedom you have in Tallinn, and
Vilnius, and Riga.
All the nations that border Russia will benefit from the spread of
democratic values -- and so will Russia, itself. Stable, prosperous
democracies are good neighbors, trading in freedom, and posing no threat
to anyone. The United States has free and peaceful nations to the north
and south of us. We do not consider ourselves to be encircled; we
consider ourselves to be blessed. No good purpose is served by stirring
up fears and exploiting old rivalries in this region. The interests of
Russia and all nations are served by the growth of freedom that leads to
prosperity and peace. Inside Russia, leaders have made great progress
over the last 15 years. President Putin recently stated that Russia's
future lies within Europe -- and America agrees. He also stated that
Russia's democratic future will not be determined by outsiders -- and
America agrees, as well. That nation will follow its own course,
according to its own history. Yet all free and successful countries have
some common characteristics: freedom of worship, freedom of the press,
economic liberty, the rule of law, and the limitation of power through
checks and balances. In the long run, it is the strength of Russian
democracy that will determine the greatness of Russia. And I believe the
Russian people value their freedom, and will settle for nothing less.
For all the problems that remain, it is a miracle of history that
this young century finds us speaking about the consolidation of freedom
throughout Europe. And the stunning democratic gains of the last several
decades are only the beginning. Freedom is not tired. The ideal of human
dignity is not weary. And the next stage of the world democratic
movement is already unfolding in the broader Middle East.
We seek democracy in that region for the same reasons we spent
decades working for democracy in Europe -- because freedom is the only
reliable path to peace. If the Middle East continues to simmer in anger
and resentment and hopelessness, caught in a cycle of repression and
radicalism, it will produce terrorism of even greater audacity and
destructive power. But if the peoples of that region gain the right of
self-government, and find hopes to replace their hatreds, then the
security of all free nations will be strengthened. We will not repeat
the mistakes of other generations, appeasing or excusing tyranny, and
sacrificing freedom in the vain pursuit of stability. We have learned
our lesson; no one's liberty is expendable. In the long run, our
security and true stability depend on the freedom of others. And so,
with confidence and resolve, we will stand for freedom across the
broader Middle East.
In this great objective, we need a realism that understands the
difficulties. But we must turn away from a pessimism that abandons the
goal and consigns millions to endless tyranny. And we have reason for
optimism. When the people of Afghanistan were finally given the vote,
they chose humane rulers and a future of freedom. When the people of the
Palestinian Territories went to the polls, they chose a leader committed
to negotiation instead of violence. When Iraqi voters turned out by the
millions, they repudiated the killers who hate and attack their liberty.
There's much work ahead, but the direction of events is clear in the
broader Middle East: Freedom is on the march.
Recent elections have brought a tremendous catalyst for change, and
more are on the way. Elections are set to start at the end of this month
in Lebanon, and those elections must go forward with no outside
interference. The people of Lebanon now have the opportunity to bridge
old divides and build an independent government. Egypt will hold a
presidential election this fall. That election should proceed with
international monitors, and with rules that allow for a real campaign.
As in other parts of the world, the work of democracy is larger than
holding a fair election; it requires building the structures that
sustain freedom. Selective liberalization -- the easing of oppressive
laws - is progress, but it is not enough. Successful democracies that
effectively protect individual rights require viable political parties,
an independent judiciary, a diverse media, and limits on executive
power. There is no modernization without democracy. Ultimately, human
rights and human development depend on human liberty.
As in other parts of the world, successful democracies in the broader
Middle East must also bridge old racial and religious divides -- and
democracy is the only force capable of doing so. In Iraq, the new
Cabinet includes members of all of Iraq's leading ethnic and religious
groups, who, despite their differences, share a commitment to democracy,
freedom, and the rule of law. The new President of Iraq is a member of a
minority group that was attacked with poison gas by the former regime.
Democracy is fostering internal peace by protecting individual rights,
while giving every minority a role in the nation's future. Iraq's free
government is showing the way for others, and is winning the respect of
a watching world.
In the Middle East, we are seeing the rule of law -- the rule of fear
give way to the hope of change. And brave reformers in that region
deserve more than our praise. The established democracies have a duty to
help emerging democracies of the broader Middle East. They need our
help, because freedom has deadly enemies in that region -- men who
celebrate murder, incite suicide, and thirst for absolute power. By
aiding democratic transitions, we will isolate the forces of hatred and
terror and defeat them before violence spreads.
The Baltic states are members of a global coalition, and each is
making essential contributions every day. Lithuania is preparing to
deploy a reconstruction team to western Afghanistan, and has troops in
Iraq conducting patrols and aiding in reconstruction. Estonians are
serving in Afghanistan, they're detecting and removing explosives, and
Estonian troops serve side-by-side with Americans in Baghdad. Latvia has
a team in Kabul, Afghanistan, clearing mines, and soldiers in Iraq
providing convoy security and patrols. Your commitment to freedom has
brought sacrifice. We remember Lieutenant Olafs Baumanis, who was killed
in Iraq. We ask for God's blessings for his family, and we're honored
that his wife, Vita, is here with us today.
It's no surprise that Afghanistan and Iraq find strong allies in the
Baltic nations. Because you've recently known tyranny, you are offended
by the oppression of others. The men and women under my command are
proud to serve with you. Today I'm honored to deliver the thanks of the
American people.
Sixty years ago, on the 7th of May, the world reacted with joy and
relief at the defeat of fascism in Europe. The next day, General Dwight
D. Eisenhower announced that "history's mightiest machine of conquest
has been utterly destroyed." Yet the great democracies soon found that a
new mission had come to us -- not merely to defeat a single dictator,
but to defeat the idea of dictatorship on this continent. Through the
decades of that struggle, some endured the rule of tyrants; all lived in
the frightening shadow of war. Yet because we lifted our sights and held
firm to our principles, freedom prevailed.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, the freedom of Europe, won by courage,
must be secured by effort and goodwill. In our time, as well, we must
raise our sights. In the distance we can see another great goal -- not
merely the absence of tyranny on this continent, but the end of tyranny
in our world. Once again, we're asked to hold firm to our principles,
and to value the liberty of others. And once again, if we do our part,
freedom will prevail.
Thank you, and God bless. (Applause.)