    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 11, 2003]
    [Page 1297]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1297]]

    Statement on Shirin Ebadi Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize
    October 11, 2003

        The United States congratulates Shirin Ebadi on receiving the Nobel
    Peace Prize--a first for an Iranian and for a Muslim woman. The prize
    recognizes her lifetime of championing human rights and democracy. I
    strongly support the Iranian people's aspirations for freedom and their
    desire for democracy. The future of Iran must be decided by the people
    of Iran. Americans look forward to the day when a free Iran stands as an
    example of tolerance, prosperity, and democracy in the Middle East and
    around the world.