[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2001)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 37103-37104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17966]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 137 / Tuesday, July 17, 2001 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 37103]]


                Proclamation 7455 of July 12, 2001

                
Captive Nations Week, 2001

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The 21st century must become the ``Century of 
                Democracy.'' Democracy and freedom have taken root 
                across the globe, and the United States will continue 
                to stand for greater consolidation of pluralism and 
                religious freedom, wider access to information, and 
                respect for human rights and for the rule of law. Our 
                Nation and many of our allies share this vision for the 
                world. In the words of President Ronald Reagan, ``For 
                the sake of peace and justice, let us move toward a 
                world in which all people are at last free to determine 
                their own destiny.''

                During the 20th century, dictators, monarchs, and 
                colonialism gave way to democracy through ballot boxes, 
                pressure from citizens, and negotiated settlements to 
                conflicts. However, freedom and liberty remained out of 
                reach for many. In 1959, the Congress promulgated a 
                Joint Resolution authorizing and requesting the 
                President to declare the third week of July as Captive 
                Nations Week and to continue this annual statement 
                ``until such time as freedom and independence shall 
                have been achieved for all the captive nations of the 
                world.''

                Worldwide, many nations have successfully made 
                transitions to democracy since President Eisenhower 
                signed the Captive Nations Resolution. These 
                democracies, whether nascent or consolidated, are found 
                in areas that the great General and 34th President 
                could have barely imagined would find freedom before 
                the 20th century closed.

                In spite of the proliferation of democracies over the 
                past century, many people across the globe are held 
                captive by their governments. More than a decade after 
                the Berlin Wall fell, more than 2 billion people still 
                live under authoritarian regimes. America must remain 
                vigilant in our support of those living under 
                authoritarianism. There remain people in Asia, the 
                Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central 
                Asia who do not enjoy the right to choose their own 
                governments and to hold those governments accountable.

                Americans and the 3 billion others across the globe 
                living in democracies desire the same freedoms for the 
                remaining 42 percent of the world's population who live 
                without them. But as long as governments like those in 
                Afghanistan, Burma, Cuba, Iraq, and Sudan exist, 
                freedom is not accessible to all. Greater access to 
                robust marketplaces of ideas, as well as freedom of 
                worship and expression, will empower those living in 
                closed societies. Strong and transparent judicial 
                systems and respect for human rights and the rule of 
                law also serve as necessary foundations for democracy.

                To promote the development of democratic practices 
                worldwide, I reaffirm America's support for freedom, 
                justice, and pluralism. I have asked my Administration 
                to examine our programs to support democracy and human 
                rights movements closely and to ensure that these 
                programs advance American policy. In addition, I want 
                to make certain that our annual State Department human 
                rights, trafficking in persons, and religious freedom 
                reports are integrated into American foreign policy.

[[Page 37104]]

                The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 
                1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the 
                President to issue a proclamation designating the third 
                week in July of each year as ``Captive Nations Week.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 15-
                21, 2001, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon the 
                people of the United States to observe this week with 
                appropriate ceremonies and activities and to reaffirm 
                their devotion to the aspirations of all peoples for 
                liberty, justice, and self-determination.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twelfth day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand one, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 01-17966
Filed 07-16-01; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P