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)
|