    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 24, 2002]
    [Pages 881-884]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Community and Religious Leaders in Moscow
    May 24, 2002

        Thank you all very much. Mr. Ambassador, thank you and Lisa for opening
    up your modest home. [Laughter] I bet every Ambassador that represents
    the United States wishes they lived this way. But we appreciate your
    taking on this very important assignment, and that is to represent our
    country here in Russia.
        I'm honored that Laura was traveling with me
    today. Trips always seem to go so much better when she is by my side, so
    I'm really glad you got to meet Laura. I like to tell the story in
    America that when I married her, she was a public school librarian who
    didn't like politics and didn't particularly care for politicians.
    [Laughter] And then she got stuck marrying one. [Laughter] But she's
    doing a great job for our country, and I'm real proud of her.
        And I'm proud of the team I put together as well. I've got a great
    national security team, headed by Colin Powell and by Condi Rice and Andy
    Card. And I'm honored they're traveling
    with me, and I'm honored you have a chance to meet them as well.
        And thank you all for coming. For those of us, the Spaso House--at
    least those of us who've paid attention to international politics--the
    Spaso House was always viewed as a refuge for freedom. And I'm so
    privileged to give you a few comments here in this historic setting,
    where so much history was written.
        You know, I'm aware that during World War II, Russian, American
    diplomats and soldiers met here as allies. It's kind of an interesting
    part of the history of this house. And during the cold war, this is
    where many of you came, refuseniks and human rights activists. You're
    always welcome here, and we're glad you're here.
        Our Nation stands for freedom. That's what we're fighting off the
    terrorists about. We believe so strongly in freedom, we're willing to
    defend it at all costs. The Soviet era is gone. The cold war, I hope, is
    past us. And today President Putin and I
    signed an historic document. It was more than just a document that
    reduces nuclear weaponry, although that in itself is good. It's a
    document that says there's a new era ahead of us, that instead of being
    stuck in the past, these two leaders are willing to take two great
    countries forward in a new relationship built on common interests and
    cooperation, and cooperation on all fronts--the idea of working together
    to

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    make the Russian economy strong and vibrant so people can make a living,
    so people have hope about putting bread on the table for their families;
    the cooperation of fighting terror; the cooperation of promoting peace.
    But the best cooperation also must be based on common values, as well as
    common interests.
        And I want you to know that we hold the values in America dear, and
    you know that. We hold dear what our Declaration of Independence says,
    that all have got uninalienable rights, endowed by a Creator--not
    endowed by the ones who wrote the Declaration of Independence but by a
    Creator, a universal Creator. I want you to know that I believe all
    governments have a duty and responsibility to protect those rights,
    those unalienable rights.
        In Soviet times, people heroically defended those rights with
    incredible courage, and you earned the respect of a lot of people--a lot
    of people--by doing so. Many of you now are active in a modern Russia,
    and I want to thank you for staying active and involved in this
    important society, starting with making sure that freedom is protected
    by rule of law. And we agree completely, and we hope we can help,
    because rule of law is essential for a modern society to thrive and to
    succeed.
        I applaud your commitment and your patriotism. I love the fact that
    you love your country. I love mine, and you love yours, and that's
    incredibly healthy and important. You understand that free nations and a
    free Russia require strong civic and religious institutions, committed
    to democratic values.
        Russia's on the road to democracy, but it's important, as she does
    so, that she embrace the values inherent in democracy. In the past, I
    know you know that we have been committed to helping institutions which
    promote those values through direct Government assistance, and we will
    continue to do so. We believe it's for the good of Russia. We believe it
    will help Russia develop in a way that will be--enable Russia to become
    a lasting friend. And that's what I'm interested in. I'm interested in
    friendship and peace and mutual development.
        Most Russians want and expect what most Americans want and expect,
    and that's important for the Russian people and the American people to
    understand, a Government--starting with a Government that works for
    citizens, that represents everyday citizens, not a corrupt elite. And
    that's important.
        People want a society ruled by law, not by special privilege,
    special circumstance; a law where people are treated equally, regardless
    of their religion, ethnicity, income level. In a multiethnic society,
    people must work toward tolerance and reject extremism. It's important
    in America, just like it's important here in Russia. And this is a
    multiethnic society, to the credit of Russia, just like America is a
    multiethnic society, which makes our country strong. We're bound
    together by common values. And so can Russia be bound by the same
    values.
        To reach these goals, societies need fair laws and, as importantly,
    fair enforcement of law. They need independent media that is respected
    by the Government. I remind those who sometimes get frustrated with the
    media that even in America, elected officials sometimes don't agree
    what's written about them--maybe especially America, for all I know.
    [Laughter] But it's important for those of us who value democracy to
    promote an independent media.
        Opposition parties must be free to associate and must be free to
    speak their minds. In order for a democracy to be strong, there has to
    be competition of ideas, a free discussion of ideas, and an airing of
    philosophy in an open way. Freedom of religion and separation of church
    and state are so important, so important so that people can worship as
    they choose, Jews, Muslims, and all Christians, and all religions.
        Free societies have all got to meet the great challenges we face in
    ways consistent with values. That's what I'm here to tell

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    you that's in my heart. That's what I want you to know about this
    administration, that we're not only committed to fighting terrorism--and
    we will. We are. We were under attack in America.
        In Germany yesterday I said, September the 11th was just a fine--
    just as clear a dividing line in our history, in our Nation's history,
    as Pearl Harbor. It was. America at one time was protected by two
    oceans--we seemed totally invulnerable to, for example, the wars that
    took place here in Russia or on the European Continent--and all of a
    sudden found ourselves attacked, because we love freedom, because we
    respect religion, because we honor discourse. And you need to know that
    we're going to defend ourselves and defend that which we hold dear and,
    at the same time, protect civilization itself.
        But in Afghanistan, we've shown, I believe, how to do it in a way
    that's commiserate with our values--that, on the one hand, we're plenty
    tough, and we will be. We've got a military we're going to use, if we
    need to, to defend freedom. But on the other hand, we delivered a lot of
    medicine and a lot of food. We hurt thinking not only that the children
    in Afghanistan could not go to school; we cried for the fact that people
    were starving in the country. We have rebuilt schools. We have also
    provided medicine and food.
        Russia is building hospitals in Afghanistan. That's incredibly
    positive, we think. Nations are not only contributing military forces,
    but we're working to build a state that can function on her own, a state
    at peace in the neighborhood, and a state where people have got hope and
    a chance to survive, where moms and dads can raise their children in
    peace.
        And that's important for you to know as well. You know, a lot of the
    time, people talk about the tough talk. But you've got to understand, we
    also have got a soft heart when it comes to the human condition. Each
    individual matters to me. Each individual has got worth and dignity.
        The experience in Afghanistan has taught us all that there's lessons
    to be learned about how to protect one's homeland and, at the same time,
    be respectful of the--on the battlefield. And that lesson applies to
    Chechnya. The war on terror can be won, and at the same time, we have
    proven it's possible to respect the rights of the people in the
    territories, to respect the rights of the minorities.
        We are--I represent a great nation, and Russia is a great nation.
    Both of us share a lot. We've got a big resource base. We've got people
    who are very smart. I remind Vladimir Putin that the great resource of
    Russia is the people of Russia. The resource of this country is the
    brainpower of this country. And when they get the system right, that
    encourages individual growth and entrepreneurship; that brainpower is
    going to flourish, and so will commerce, and so will opportunity. And
    while that happens, both nations must respect the multiethnic character
    of our lands. That, too, makes us great. And how we promote that
    multiethnicity, and how we respect human rights is another way we'll be
    judged by history.
        We'll be judged by history on how we defend our freedoms. We'll be
    judged in history by how we help our people prosper and grow. And we'll
    be judged by history as to whether or not we defend the universal values
    that are right and just and true.
        I want to thank you for that commitment to those values. I
    appreciate your stance for freedom. I appreciate your love of your
    country. I appreciate your understanding there is a universal and
    gracious God.
        May God bless you all. May God bless Russia. And may God bless the
    United States. Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:40 p.m. at Spaso House. In his remarks,
    he referred to Ambassador Alexander Vershbow and his wife, Lisa, and
    President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

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