[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 43455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18897]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 141 / Wednesday, July 23, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 43455]]

                Proclamation 7691 of July 18, 2003

                
Captive Nations Week, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During Captive Nations Week, first declared in 1959 as 
                a statement against the continuing Communist domination 
                of Eastern Europe, America expresses its dedication to 
                freedom and democracy. While many countries around the 
                world uphold these principles, millions of people still 
                live under regimes that violate their citizens' rights 
                daily. In countries such as Burma and Iran, citizens 
                lack the right to choose their government, speak out 
                against oppression, and practice their religion freely. 
                The despot who rules Cuba imprisons political opponents 
                and crushes peaceful opposition, while in North Korea 
                hundreds of thousands languish in prison camps and 
                citizens suffer from malnutrition as the regime pursues 
                weapons of mass destruction. Violence, corruption, and 
                mismanagement reign in Zimbabwe and an authoritarian 
                government in Belarus smothers political dissent.

                Yet the cause of freedom is advancing. With the demise 
                of the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi 
                people are no longer captives in their own country. 
                Their freedom is evidence of the fall of one of the 
                most oppressive dictators in history. Today, American 
                and coalition forces are helping to restore civil order 
                and provide critical humanitarian aid to the Iraqi 
                people. Iraqis are now meeting openly and freely to 
                discuss the future of their country. The United States 
                vows to continue to work with those trying to bring 
                about peaceful democratic change and greater respect 
                for human rights.

                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 20 
                through July 26, 2003, 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 commitment to all those seeking liberty, 
                justice, and self-determination.

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-18897
Filed 7-22-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P