THE
PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Yo napote kivanok. (Applause.) Thank you
for your warm welcome. I first want to thank the President for his
gracious hospitality and the chance to visit Sandor Palace. It's a
beautiful site, and I know you're proud of it. I also want to thank your
Prime Minister for his hospitality and the chance to go to the
Parliament Building. Laura and I particularly liked to see the Holy
Crown of St. Stephen. It was beautiful. It's a grand reminder of the
great history of Hungary.
I thank the Hungarian people for their gracious reception. Laura and
I are honored to visit your great nation. Hungary sits at the heart of
Europe. Hungary represents the triumph of liberty over tyranny, and
America is proud to call Hungary a friend.
I appreciate the opportunity to stand here on Gellert Hill, which
offers a striking view of your beautiful city. Fifty years ago, you
could watch history being written from this hill. In 1956, the Hungarian
people suffered under a communist dictatorship and domination by a
foreign power. That fall, the Hungarian people had decided they had had
enough and demanded change. From this spot you could see tens of
thousands of students and workers and other Hungarians marching through
the streets. They called for an end to dictatorship, to censorship, and
to the secret police. They called for free elections, a free press, and
the release of political prisoners. These Hungarian patriots tore down
the statue of Josef Stalin, and defied an empire to proclaim their
liberty.
Twelve days after the Hungarian people stood up for their liberty,
the communists in Moscow responded with great brutality. Soon the
streets of Budapest were filled with Soviet tanks. The Red Army killed
many who resisted, including women and children. The Soviets threw many
more into prison. They crushed the Hungarian uprising, but not the
Hungarian people's thirst for freedom.
Some 200,000 Hungarians fled into exile in search of liberty. Many
found refuge in the United States. These immigrants have contributed to
my country in countless ways, and America will always be glad that we
opened our doors to Hungarians that were seeking freedom. Fifty years
later, the sacrifice of the Hungarian people inspires all who love
liberty. Some of those who faced those tanks are here today. I had the
honor of meeting three such gentlemen at lunch. I was proud to be in
their presence. America honors your courage. We've learned from your
example, and we resolve that when people stand up for their freedom,
America will stand with them.
In 1989, a new generation of Hungarians returned to the streets to
demand their liberty, and boldly helped others secure their freedom, as
well. By giving shelter to those fleeing tyranny and opening your border
to the West, you helped bring down the Iron Curtain, and gave the hope
of freedom to millions in Central and Eastern Europe. Because you had
the courage to lead, Hungary became the first communist nation in Europe
to make the transition to democracy.
Hungary has continued to move forward. You regained your
independence, held free elections, and established a free economy.
Hungary is now a valued member of NATO and the European Union. You know
that the democratic journey is not easy, but you continue to make the
tough decisions that are necessary to succeed. America admires your
perseverance, we welcome your progress, and America values our alliance
with the free people of Hungary.
You believe that free nations have an obligation to help others
realize the benefits of freedom. So last year, you launched the
International Center for Democratic Transition here in Budapest. You set
that center up to help others learn from your country's experiences.
Hungary was also an early contributor to the United Nations Democracy
Fund, which supports emerging democracies with legal and technical and
financial assistance. And together, America and Hungary helped launch
the Foundation for the Future, which supports democratic reformers,
independent journalists, women's groups, and human rights advocates
throughout the Middle East. Hungary is making a difference in our world,
and I thank you for your leadership in freedom's cause.
Hungary is also showing courage in freedom's cause. In Kosovo,
Hungarian soldiers are helping to secure the peace. Your work is aiding
the rise of democracy in a region that has endured violence and tyranny
for many decades. By your efforts, you're helping the people of the
Balkans establish free and democratic societies, and you're paving the
way for their membership in the institutions of a united Europe.
Hungarian troops are also defending freedom's cause in the war on
terror. In Afghanistan, your soldiers have rebuilt schools and a medical
center. They've helped train Afghan police to enforce the rule of law,
and to protect the Afghan people. In Iraq, Hungarian troops played a
vital role in Operation Iraqi Freedom by providing security and
delivering food and medical supplies to coalition forces. Today,
Hungarian soldiers are helping to train Iraqi security forces. This is
important work. By supporting these two young democracies, you are
strengthening two new allies in the war on terror, and you're bringing
hope to millions of people in a vital region of the world.
Last week, I traveled to Baghdad. I was impressed by what I saw.
Americans and Hungarians, and other coalition partners can be proud of
what we have achieved in partnership with the Iraqi people. I met with
Iraq's new Prime Minister, and was able to see firsthand his strong
character, his commitment to freedom, and his determination to succeed.
Hungarians will recognize this spirit: Prime Minister Maliki is
committed to the democratic ideals that also inspired Hungarian patriots
in 1956 and 1989. He has a sound plan to improve security, to unify his
people, and to deliver a better life for the citizens of Iraq. The
success of the new Iraqi government is vital to the security of all
nations, and so it deserves the support of the international community.
We will continue to help the Iraqi government establish free
institutions, to achieve its goals, and we will continue to help Iraq
take its rightful place alongside America and Hungary as beacons of
liberty in our world.
Iraq's young democracy still faces determined enemies, people who
will use violence and brutality to stop the march of freedom. Defeating
these enemies will require sacrifice and continued patience -- the kind
of patience the good people of Hungary displayed after 1956. We will
help them rebuild a country destroyed by a tyrant. We'll help the Iraqis
defeat the enemies of freedom. Our commitment is certain, our objective
is clear. The new Iraqi government will show the world the promise of a
thriving democracy in the heart of the Middle East.
The Hungarian people know well the promise of freedom. Many of you
lived through the nightmare of fascism, or communism, or both. Yet you
never lost hope. You kept faith in freedom. And 50 years after you
watched Soviet tanks invade your beloved city, you now watch your
grandchildren play in the streets of a free Hungary.
The lesson of the Hungarian experience is clear: Liberty can be
delayed, but it cannot be denied. The desire for liberty is universal,
because it is written by our Creator into the hearts of every man,
woman, and child on this Earth. And as people across the world step
forward to claim their own freedom, they will take inspiration from your
example, and draw hope from your success.
Earlier today Laura and I laid a bouquet of flowers at the 1956
Memorial Monument across the river. It was our privilege to do so. It
was a moving moment for us. Hokok Square is named for the father of
Hungarian democracy, and honors more than a century-and-a-half of
Hungarian sacrifice in freedom's cause.
A bust of this great leader stands in the U.S. Capitol. It affirms
that those who fight for liberty are heroes not only in their own land,
but of all free nations. All who love liberty are linked together across
the generations, and across the world.
Your great poet Peteofi said this:
"Here is the time, now or never!
Shall we be slaves or free?
This is the question, answer!
By the God of the Hungarians we swear,
We swear to be slaves no more!"
These words were addressed to the Hungarian people, yet they speak to
all people, in all times. This is the spirit that we honor today. I
appreciate the opportunity to come to this great country and to
celebrate the Hungarian example -- the courage, the sacrifice, the
perseverance that has led to this democracy.
On behalf of all Americans: Köszönöm. May God bless you all. Thank
you very much. (Applause.)