    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [March 29, 2005]
    [Pages 523-525]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Freedom and Democracy in Iraq
    March 29, 2005

        Thank you all. Thank you. Good morning. Welcome to the White House.
    Please be seated. Senator Warner, it's good
    to see you, sir. Thank you for coming. I appreciate citizens from Iraq
    who have joined us. I appreciate my fellow citizens who have joined us.
    Thanks for coming.

        Before I talk about Iraq, I do want to say that on behalf of the
    American people, Laura and I offer our condolences to the victims of
    yesterday's earthquake in Indonesia. This earthquake has claimed lives
    and destroyed buildings in a part of Indonesia that is only now
    beginning to recover from the destruction caused by the tsunami 3 months
    ago. Our officials have offered initial assistance and are moving
    quickly to gather information to determine what additional relief is
    needed.

        I appreciate Andrew Natsios of USAID
    being with us today, and I know he and his team are ready to respond, to
    help. People of Indonesia can know as well that they have our prayers
    and that our Government is ready to assist.

        Just a few minutes ago I met with a group of people dedicated to
    building a new Iraq. Most of them were born in Iraq. They come from
    different backgrounds. They practice different religions. They have one
    thing in common: They all voted in the January elections.
        We're also joined today by Iraqi law students visiting the United
    States for an international competition, by members of Iraq's religious
    communities in town to learn about democracy, and by others who helped
    organize the--Iraq's elections held in the United States. I want to
    welcome you all. I want to thank you for your strong belief in democracy
    and freedom. It's a belief that with their vote, the Iraqi people
    signalled to the world that they intend to claim their liberty and build
    a future of freedom for their country. And it was a powerful signal.
        I commend the more than 8 million Iraqis who defied the car bombers
    and assassins to vote that day. I appreciate the determination of the
    Iraqi electoral workers who withstood threats and intimidation to make a
    transparent election possible. I salute the courageous Iraqi security
    forces who risked their lives to protect voters.
        By electing 275 men and women to the Transitional National Assembly,
    the Iraqi people took another bold step toward self-government. Today
    Iraqis took another step on the road to a free society when the Assembly
    held its second meeting. We expect a new Government will be chosen

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    soon and that the Assembly will vote to confirm it. We look forward to
    working with the Government that emerges from this process. We're
    confident that this new Government will be inclusive, will respect human
    rights, and will uphold fundamental freedoms for all Iraqis.
        We have seen many encouraging signs in Iraq. The world has watched
    Iraqi women vote in enormous numbers. The world has seen more than 80
    women take their seats as elected representatives in the new Assembly.
    We've also seen the beginnings of a new national dialog, as leaders who
    did well in the last election have reached out to Sunnis who did not
    participate.
        In a democracy, the Government must uphold the will of the majority
    while respecting the rights of minorities. And Iraq's new leaders are
    determined that the Government of a free Iraq will be representative of
    their country's diverse population. The new Transitional National
    Assembly includes people and parties with differing visions for the
    future of their country. In a democratic Iraq, these differences will be
    resolved through debate and persuasion instead of force and
    intimidation.
        In forming their new Government, the Iraqis have shown that the
    spirit of compromise has survived more than three decades of
    dictatorship. They will need that spirit in the weeks and months ahead
    as they continue the hard work of building their democracy. After
    choosing the leaders of their new Government, the next step will be the
    drafting of a new constitution for a free and democratic Iraq. In
    October, that document is scheduled to be put before the Iraqi people in
    a national referendum. Once the new constitution is approved, Iraqis
    will return to the polls to elect a permanent constitutional Government.
        This democracy will need defending. And Iraqi security forces are
    taking on greater responsibility in the fight against the insurgents and
    terrorists. Today, more than 145,000 Iraqis have been trained and are
    serving courageously across Iraq. In recent weeks, they've taken the
    lead in offensive operations in places like Baghdad and Samarra and
    Mosul. We will continue to train Iraqis so they can take responsibility
    for the security of their country, and then our forces will come home
    with the honor they've earned.
        Iraqis are taking big steps on a long journey of freedom. A free
    society requires more than free elections; it also requires free
    institutions, a vibrant civil society, rule of law, anticorruption, and
    the habits of liberty built over generations. By claiming their own
    freedom, the Iraqis are transforming the region, and they're doing it by
    example and inspiration rather than by conquest and domination. The free
    people of Iraq are now doing what Saddam Hussein never could--making Iraq a positive example for the
    entire Middle East.
        Today, people in a long-troubled part of the world are standing up
    for their freedom. In the last few months, we've witnessed successful
    elections in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Palestinian Territories;
    peaceful demonstrations on the streets of Beirut; and steps toward
    democratic reform in places like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The trend is
    clear: Freedom is on the march. Freedom is the birthright and deep
    desire of every human soul, and spreading freedom's blessings is the
    calling of our time. And when freedom and democracy take root in the
    Middle East, America and the world will be safer and more peaceful.
        I want to thank you all for coming. We ask for God's blessings on
    the brave souls of Iraq, and God continue to bless the American people.
    Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:25 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.

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