    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 4, 2005]
    [Pages 752-754]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Interview With Latvian Television
    May 4, 2005

    Latvia-U.S. Relations

        Q. So there is no secret that you were a jet pilot, so how would you
    describe, in a couple of sentences, where is Latvia on your radar?
        The President. That's very interesting. Latvia is a close friend.
    Latvia is a country that has made a big difference in important
    alliances to the United States, like NATO. I remember when the moment
    came when the countries--the new countries admitted to NATO came into
    the room that I was sitting in, and I turned to the person I was sitting
    next to and said, ``It's going to be so important for NATO to have these
    fresh--these new countries, because they bring a fresh outlook to
    freedom. These are people that have recently lived under, in this case,
    communism and realized what it means to be free, and it's going to be
    very important.''
        And so Latvia is very high on my radar screen. Plus, I'm very close
    to the President.
        Q. How come you've become such good friends?
        The President. Well, first of all, she's a straightforward person. I like straightforward
    people. You know, sometimes in politics you get people who say one thing
    and don't mean it. When she tells me something, she means it. She's very
    engaging and--very intelligent woman, and I admire her courage. And so
    I'm fond of her.

    [[Page 753]]

    Russia-Baltic States Relations

        Q. You're good friends with President Putin of Russia. Do you think
    you could encourage him to admit historical justice and admit the fact
    that Baltic States were occupied in 1940?
        The President. Well, yes, I've talked to him about this issue when I was in Slovakia. I said,
    ``Do you understand, friend, that you've got problems in the Baltics?
    You've got problems with Latvia because people don't like--the
    remembrances of the time of communism are unpleasant remembrances, and
    you need to work with these young democracies.'' I explained to him that
    it's best that there be democracies on his border, free countries,
    because free countries don't attack people; free countries listen to the
    hopes and aspirations of people. I don't know if I've made any progress
    with him or not, but I have made my position clear.
        I understand there's a lot of people in the Baltics who are--you
    know, don't view the celebration in Russia as a day of liberation.
    Frankly, it's the beginning of a difficult period, and I can understand
    why some leaders of countries aren't going and some others are. That's a
    decision each leader must make, and I respect the decision of each
    leader.
        But I'm going to continue to speak very forcefully on freedom and
    liberty, and the Baltics are a great example of free countries.
        Q. But you are pretty certain that Russia is at least on the right
    path of development, and it does not pose any threat to its smaller
    neighbors?
        The President. Well, I certainly hope not. And one of the reasons a
    relationship with the United States and Latvia is important is, is that
    we will stand with Latvia if a larger country tries to intimidate the
    people. That's the great thing about Latvia joining NATO, is that the
    security is now guaranteed by not only the United States but all members
    of NATO.
        Listen, the President and I speak about
    relations between Russia and Latvia quite frequently. And my job at
    times is to send a message that says, ``Look, treat your neighbors with
    respect. Free nations, democracies on your border are good for you,
    whether that be, by the way, in the Baltics or in Ukraine.'' I've sent
    that same message--or Georgia. In other words, countries that are free
    countries are countries that will be good neighbors.

    Belarus

        Q. What can we do about Belarus, because a couple of hundred miles
    from where you're going to be visiting there sits the last dictator of
    Europe. What can we do about it?
        The President. The ``last dictator of Europe'' is right, and we'll continue to pressure Belarus
    and call upon the world, the rest of the world, the free world--not the
    whole world but the free world--to work to give the people of Belarus a
    chance to live in a free society.
        When I was in Slovakia I met with people of the freedom movement. I
    know when Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of
    State, was in your part of the world, she met with leaders of the
    freedom movement too. And we'll continue to press forward. President
    Putin must understand that a free Belarus is
    in his country's interest.

    Freedom and Democracy

        Q. The sentiment of anti-Americanism, as I'm sure you know, is quite
    widespread in Europe and in my country as well. Do you think there is
    any degree of your own fault in the fact that this sentiment is on the
    rise or----
        The President. I made some hard decisions. You know, going into Iraq
    was a hard decision. I can understand people not liking that. But I
    would hope people in Europe would understand that freedom is not owned
    only by Europeans, that people around the world deserve to be free. And

    [[Page 754]]

    as we act in our self-interest to fight terrorists, as we work to make
    sure terrorists can't get weapons of mass destruction to cause great
    harm, that we will also work to free people. After all, the people of
    Latvia, of all people, ought to understand what it means to live under
    the subjugation of a doctrine that doesn't allow for freedom, communism.
        And here people are living in the Middle East, for example, under
    the brutal reign of tyrants, huge mass graves, massive death, people
    tortured. And now they're living free. And when 8\1/2\ million people
    went to vote in Iraq, it sent a clear message that said, ``We will not
    let the terrorists intimidate us; we want to be free, just like people
    in the Balkans used to speak, we want to be free.''
        You know, our country had a great history with the Baltics, that we
    said, ``Your Embassies will remain little havens for freedom.'' We never
    recognized the lack of independence in the Baltics. We always believed
    that you should be free. And I hope over time, the young people of
    Latvia understand that that's what we stand for in America. We stand for
    freedom. We don't believe freedom is America's gift. We believe there's
    universal desire to be free. And the world will be more peaceful.
        The hard decisions I've made I am confident will make this world a
    more peaceful place.
        Q. Thanks very much, Mr. Bush.
        The President. Welcome.
        Q. I hope it's a good visit.
        The President. I'm confident it will be. I'm looking forward to it.

    Note: The interview was taped at 2:06 p.m. in the Map Room at the White
    House for later broadcast and was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on May 6. In his remarks, the President referred to President
    Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia; President Vladimir Putin of Russia; and
    President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus.