    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [March 5, 2005]
    [Pages 376-377]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    March 5, 2005

        Good morning. In the short time since I returned from my trip to
    Europe, the world has witnessed remarkable developments in the Middle
    East. In Lebanon, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in
    peaceful protest over the brutal assassination of former Prime Minister
    Hariri. For years, the Lebanese people have suffered from the aftermath
    of a horrific civil war and occupation by Syria. Lebanese citizens who
    have watched free elections in Iraq are now demanding the right to
    decide their own destiny, free of Syrian control and domination. Syria
    has been an occupying force in Lebanon for nearly three decades, and
    Syria's support for terrorism remains a key obstacle to peace in the
    broader Middle East.
        Today, America and Europe are standing together with the Lebanese
    people. The United States and France worked closely to pass U.N.
    Security Council Resolution 1559. This resolution demands that Lebanon's
    sovereignty be respected, that all foreign forces be withdrawn, and that
    free and fair elections be conducted without foreign influence. The
    world is now speaking with one voice to ensure that democracy and
    freedom are given a chance to flourish in Lebanon.
        French President Chirac, British Prime
    Minister Blair, and German Chancellor
    Schroeder have all called on Syria to
    withdraw from Lebanon. A Syrian withdrawal of all its military and
    intelligence personnel would help ensure that the Lebanese elections
    occur as scheduled in the spring and that they will be free and fair.

        At the same time the Lebanese people were demonstrating against
    terrorism in Beirut, the elected leader of the Palestinian people,
    President Abbas, declared that
    his Government is committed to chasing down and punishing those
    responsible for last weekend's terrorist attack in Tel Aviv. Such action
    is critical, because that attack is a reminder that there are still
    groups and individuals who will kill to prevent peace in the Middle
    East.

        President Abbas made his
    remarks in London during an international meeting of world and Arab
    leaders hosted by Prime Minister Blair. The
    leaders attending this meeting expressed their support for the
    Palestinians' efforts to reform their political institutions, their
    economy, and their security services. And the first reform must be the
    dismantling of terrorist organizations. Only by ending terrorism can we
    achieve our common goal of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine,
    living side by side in peace and freedom.

    [[Page 377]]

        Today, people in a long-troubled part of the world are standing up
    for their freedom. In the last 5 months, we have witnessed successful
    elections in Afghanistan, the Palestinian Territory, and Iraq, peaceful
    demonstrations on the streets of Beirut, and steps toward democratic
    reform in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The trend is clear: In the Middle East
    and throughout the world, freedom is on the march. The road ahead will
    not be easy, and progress will sometimes be slow. But America, Europe,
    and our Arab partners must all continue the hard work of defeating
    terrorism and supporting democratic reforms.
        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.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:45 a.m. on March 4 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on March 5. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    March 4 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. In his
    address, the President referred to President Jacques Chirac of France;
    Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom; Chancellor Gerhard
    Schroeder of Germany; and President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the
    Palestinian Authority. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a
    Spanish language transcript of this address.