THE
PRESIDENT: Amar bain uu? (Applause.) Thanks for the warm welcome. And,
Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality. I thank you, the Prime
Minister, and the government for such gracious hospitality. I want to
thank the First Lady for being so kind to Laura. It is really, really an
honor to be here in your great country. And we bring with us the good
wishes of the American people.
I'm here on an important international mission. Secretary Rumsfeld
asked me to check on his horse. (Laughter.) I feel very much at home
here in your country. This is a beautiful land, with huge skies and vast
horizons -- kind of like Texas. (Applause.) I thank you for the
invitation. I'm honored to be the first sitting American President to
visit Mongolia, and America is proud to call you the third neighbor.
(Applause.)
Fifteen years ago, Mongolians gathered outside this great hall by the
thousands, braving sub-zero temperatures and defying a repressive
regime, to demand their liberty. The protesters included students and
workers and monks, and a group of young democrats on a hunger strike. By
the force of their convictions, they drove the communist leadership from
power. Within months, free elections were held, and a free Mongolia was
born. And today, one of the young hunger strikers who stood vigil
outside the building now serves as the Prime Minister of your great
nation. (Applause.)
Mongolia has made the transition from communism to freedom, and in
just 15 years, you've established a vibrant democracy and opened up your
economy. You're an example of success for this region and for the world.
I know the transition to liberty has not always been easy and Americans
admire your patience and your determination. By your daily efforts,
you're building a better life for your children and your grandchildren.
And I've come to tell you, as you build a free society in the heart of
Central Asia, the American people stand with you. (Applause.)
Earlier this year, when a terrible hurricane struck my nation's Gulf
Coast, the Mongolian people stood with us. Even before the flood waters
had fully receded, your government pledged aid, and a group of business
leaders in Mongolia raised additional money. These funds are helping to
rebuild shattered lives in my country. In a time of tragedy for America,
Mongolia showed her compassionate heart, and my country thanks you for
your support and friendship. (Applause.)
Americans and Mongolians have much in common. Both our nations were
settled by pioneers on horseback who tamed the rugged plains. Both our
nations shook the yoke of colonial rule, and built successful free
societies. And both our nations know that our responsibilities in
freedom's cause do not end at our borders, and that survival of liberty
in our own lands increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other
lands.
This conviction has inspired the Mongolian people to share the hope
of freedom with others who have not known it. Mongolian officers have
served in missions to keep the peace in Western Sahara and the Congo.
Your forces are serving alongside U.S. and coalition forces helping to
train the Armed Forces of a free Afghanistan. And in September, Mongolia
sent its fifth rotation of forces to Iraq and Mongolian soldiers are
serving in that country with courage and great distinction. (Applause.)
Two Mongolian soldiers named Sergeants Azzaya and Sambuu-Yondon are
here with us today risked their lives to stop a suicide bomber who was
trying to drive a truck full of explosives into a coalition mess tent.
As the truck hurtled towards them, they opened fire killing the
terrorist and saving countless lives. As Commander-in-Chief of the
United States Armed Forces, I thank these brave Mongolian soldiers, and
all who have served on the front lines of the war on terror. (Applause.)
The Mongolian Armed Forces are serving the cause of freedom and the
United States Armed Forces are proud to serve beside such fearless
warriors.
In Iraq, Mongolian forces have helped make possible a stunning
transformation. Earlier this year, Iraqis went to the polls and chose
their leaders in free elections. Last month, they returned to the polls
and approved a democratic constitution for a free Iraq. And in a few
weeks time, Iraqis will vote once again to choose a fully constitutional
government to lead them for the next four years. With their ballots, the
Iraqi people are sending a clear message: There will be no return to the
days of tyranny and terror; the future of Iraq belongs to freedom.
(Applause.)
Many of you can still recall the exhilaration of voting freely for
the first time after decades of tyranny. You know the satisfaction of
seeing leaders you chose take office -- and of seeing them leave office
if you decide to replace them. You know the feeling of living under a
constitution that guarantees personal liberties like free speech, free
assembly, and equality before the law. And now, because of the courage
of Mongolian and coalition forces, the people of Iraq know this feeling,
as well.
In Iraq, the advance of freedom is opposed by determined adversaries,
the followers of a murderous ideology, who exploit the religion of Islam
to serve a violent political vision. They kill the innocent in pursuit
of a totalitarian empire that denies all political and religious
freedom. Like the ideology of communism, the ideology of Islamic
radicalism is led by a self-appointed vanguard that presumes to speak
for the masses. Like the ideology of communism, Islamic radicalism
teaches the innocent can be murdered to serve their brutal aims. Like
the ideology of communism, Islamic radicalism is dismissive of free
peoples, claiming that men and women who live in liberty are weak and
decadent. And like the ideology of communism, the ideology of Islamic
radicalism is destined to fall because the will to power is no match for
the universal desire to live in liberty. (Applause.)
Free people did not falter in the Cold War, and free people will not
falter in the war on terror. (Applause.) We see the determination to
live in freedom in the courage of Iraqi and Afghan citizens who defied
the terrorists to cast their ballots. We see it in the bravery of
ordinary Lebanese who waved cedar flags and drove an occupying power
from their borders. And we've seen it in the daily courage of the
Mongolian people who claimed their freedom 15 years ago, and are now
standing with others across the world to help them do the same.
As you help others secure the blessings of liberty, you continue the
work of building a free society here at home, and as you travel this
path, the United States walks with you. (Applause.) Earlier this year, I
announced a new Solidarity Initiative to provide financial assistance to
nations like Mongolia that are standing with America in the war on
terror. Mongolia will receive $11 million under this initiative,
critical funds to help you improve your military forces, so we can
continue working together for the cause of peace and freedom.
Mongolia has undertaken political and economic reforms. You have now
held numerous free elections and two peaceful transitions of power from
one party to another, which is a sign of a successful democracy. This
year, Mongolia ratified the United Nations Convention against
Corruption, and I urge your parliament to pass the anti-corruption
legislation needed to implement that treaty. After decades of
centralization, you privatized more than 80 percent of Mongolia's state
enterprises, and the Mongolian economy grew at a rate of more than 10
percent last year.
In recognition of your progress, Mongolia has been named a country
eligible for assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account, a new
program the United States has established to assist countries that
govern justly, invest in their people, and promote economic freedom. My
administration is committed to working with your country to complete a
Millennium Challenge compact as soon as possible and to help the
Mongolian people continue on the path of reform. (Applause.)
Next year, your country will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the
founding of Mongolia. There's a legend of a Mongolian woman who gave
each of her five sons an arrow. She told each to break the arrow in his
hand, which they did. She then tied the five arrows together, and told
each to try and break the bundle. None could do it. And she told them,
brothers who stand alone, like single arrow shafts, can be broken by
anyone; but brothers who stand together, like a bundle of arrows, cannot
be broken. Today, Mongolia and the United States are standing together
as brothers in the cause of freedom. (Applause.) And if free nations
remain united, no force of tyranny or terror will break us.
I've come here to thank you for your contributions to freedom's cause
and to tell you that the American people appreciate your courage and
value your friendship. And on behalf of all Americans, ikh bayarlalaa.
(Applause.) And may God bless your wonderful country. Thank you very
much. (Applause.)