    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [December 21, 2002]
    [Page 2211]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Radio Remarks to the People of Iran
    December 21, 2002

        I'm pleased to send warm greetings to the people of Iran and to
    welcome you to the new Radio Farda broadcast.
        For many years, the United States has helped bring news and cultural
    broadcasts for a few hours every day to the Iranian people via Radio
    Freedom. Yet the Iranian people tell us that more broadcasting is
    needed, because the unelected few who control the Iranian Government
    continue to place severe restrictions on access to uncensored
    information. So we are now making our broadcast available to more
    Iranians by airing news and music and cultural programs nearly 24 hours
    a day, and we are pleased to continue Voice of America and VOA TV
    services to Iran.
        The people of Iran want to build a freer, more prosperous country
    for their children and live in a country that is a full partner in the
    international community. Iranians also deserve a free press to express
    themselves to help build an open, democratic, and free society.
        My thoughts and prayers are with the Iranian people, particularly
    the families of the many Iranians who are in prison today for daring to
    express their hopes and dreams for a better future. We continue to stand
    with the people of Iran in your quest for freedom, prosperity, honest
    and effective government, judicial due process, and the rule of law. And
    we continue to call on the Government of Iran to respect the will of its
    people and be accountable to them.
        As I have said before, if Iran respects its international
    obligations and embraces freedom and tolerance, it will have no better
    friend than the United States of America.
        Best wishes for a bright future filled with knowledge and
    information and freedom.

    Note: The President's remarks were recorded at 1:15 p.m. on December 20
    in the Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on
    December 21 in Iran on Radio Farda. The transcript was made available by
    the Office of the Press Secretary on December 20.