    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 7, 2005]
    [Pages 759-764]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Vaira Vike-
    Freiberga of Latvia, President Arnold
    Ruutel of Estonia, and President Valdas
    Adamkus of Lithuania in Riga
    May 7, 2005

        President Vike-Freiberga. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming
    to this joint press conference of the three Baltic Presidents and the
    President of the United States of America. We have just had a meeting
    together and the most fruitful discussion about our transatlantic
    relationships and also on the relationship between the two institutions
    of which Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have become members since the
    past year, the relationship between NATO and the European Union.
        We are honored and pleased to have this opportunity to have a great
    leader from a great and powerful country come to our region and show
    interest in what happens here and to have this open and very frank
    debate with the three Baltic Presidents. With this, I pass the floor to
    the President of Lithuania, President Valdas Adamkus.
        President Adamkus. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, this was an
    extremely good meeting and at a very good time. We are welcoming the
    President of the United States here; as I said, welcome back to the
    shores of the Baltic Sea. And it was during the discussions we really
    touched on vital issues: the relationship between the United States and
    the European continent as--in a whole. We touched on issues concerning
    directly the relationship between Baltic States and, of course, on the
    global issues.
        On the part of Lithuania, I have reassured the President that we are
    staunch allies in a fight against terrorism. We will be standing
    shoulder to shoulder on general global issues concerning the humanity
    and especially in an event when we are celebrating the end of World War
    II against--the victory against nazism and, at the same time, standing
    for the principles which are dear to the rest of the world community,
    principles of democracy, protection of the human rights, principles of
    free expression.
        And there was total agreement, and I can reassure the President of
    the United States that we will be standing and defending the rights of
    the people, even those neighbors who are still--for them, democracy is a
    dream. And by standing and speaking freely, and I would say, introducing
    some kind of a dose of oxygen into the resistance and opposition which
    is striving for those same rights we are enjoying, we will definitely
    defend and make a better world, looking into the future.
        And I am grateful to the President for his presence here in the
    Baltic States, his inspiration and strength for all of us to continue
    our commitments. Thank you, Mr. President.
        President Vike-Freiberga. President Ruutel.
        President Ruutel. Honored colleagues, esteemed press, I'm very happy
    about today's meeting, and the high-level contacts between our countries
    have produced very essential and fruitful cooperation. The will and
    desire with which the United States has supported the endeavors of our
    people have proven to be very fruitful.
        It has already been a year since we have become members of NATO and
    the European Union. Today's meeting once again reaffirms the deep
    friendship and the strong relationship between our countries.
        We were talking about the means with which we can help democracy,
    peace, and welfare to other countries, which some countries do not enjoy
    even in the 21st century. We reassure you that Estonia is willing to
    share its experiences with these

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    countries that are going towards these goals.
        I want to thank those soldiers from Estonia and the United States
    who are now fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. Estonia is very
    satisfied with the progress made in Ukraine and Georgia and is prepared
    to continue supporting their endeavors.
        We also talked about our relationship with Russia in our
    discussions. Not only Estonia but in the interests of all countries, it
    is best to have as a partner a stable and democratic Russia who shares
    our values and is open for constructive cooperation.
        Although we talk primarily of the future, we must realize that the
    analysis of the past is essential for future relationships between
    countries. We are celebrating the passing of 60 years from the end of
    the Second World War and the defeat of nazism. But this victory did not
    bring freedom and democracy to many peoples, and of course I mean the
    Baltic States, who lost their independence for a long period of time.
    And I would especially like to emphasize the United States role, who
    never recognized the occupation of the Baltic States.
        The efforts of the United States and the Baltics allow us here in
    Riga today to celebrate the victory of freedom. Our people are working
    together in the transatlantic sphere and throughout the world. Thank you
    for your attention.
        President Vike-Freiberga. Questions? No. First, we have President
    Bush, who would like to make a statement. [Laughter] I think maybe
    company from across the ocean should be given a chance to make a
    statement as well. [Laughter]
        President Bush. It's kind of dangerous--as you know, I'm a little
    long-winded. But thank you, Madam President. Thank you for hosting
    Laura and me and my delegation here to Latvia.
    The hospitality has been tremendous, and we really thank you.
        And it's such an honor to be standing here with the leaders of three
    close allies and friends, such incredibly important symbols of what
    freedom can mean to this neighborhood and to countries in the world. And
    so we--we're proud to be here with you all, fellow members of NATO.
        One objective of my trip is to honor the memories of those who
    sacrificed 60 years ago in the struggle against nazism and fascism.
    Tomorrow I'll be in the cemetery in the Netherlands to pay tribute to a
    generation that was willing to sacrifice for freedom and peace. But I
    recognize that in the West, the end of the Second World War meant peace,
    but in the Baltics, it brought occupation and Communist oppression. And
    the American people will never forget the occupation and Communist
    oppression of the people of the Baltics. We recognize your painful
    history.
        I want to congratulate our friends and allies who stand here with me
    on the progress you've made in the past decade. You see, one of the
    important examples of these three countries is that not only have they
    become free societies, but they've learned to adapt to the conditions of
    a free society. It's not easy to go from communism to democracy, and yet
    these three nations have shown the world how to do so, and we
    congratulate you on your good, hard work. Your economies are
    flourishing; people are allowed to express their opinions. As a result,
    you've been readily accepted into NATO and now the EU. And the world is
    better off because of the hard decisions your Governments have made.
        I also want to thank you for your hard work in helping democracy
    spread in the neighborhood. We had a really good discussion today about
    Belarus. We talked about the Ukraine and Georgia and Moldova. We talked
    about Russia and the relationship between the Baltics and Russia. These
    three nations have also recognized that those of us who are free have a
    responsibility to help others be free outside of our neighborhoods. And
    I want to thank you for your contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan. To
    this end, I discussed my request for

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    the U.S. Solidarity Fund--my request to the Congress for the U.S.
    Solidarity Fund to help these nations who have deployed troops to be
    able to better afford those deployments.
        We talked about bilateral relations as well. As you can imagine, one
    topic that came up with all three leaders was visa policy. I talked
    about the way forward to make sure our visa policy works well with our
    friends and allies. Part of the issue, of course, is that in the past--
    we've looked to past history to determine future visa policy, and now
    we've begun to change looking at the past. In other words, the overstays
    during occupation must be viewed differently now that the three
    countries have been freed. And we look forward to working with you on
    the way forward to reasonable and fair visa policy.
        There are thousands of people in my country who have come from your
    countries. They send best regards. And I say to you, thank you for being
    such good friends and colleagues, and thank you for your hospitality
    again, Madam President.
        Now, if you'd like to do something you may do so. [Laughter]
        President Vike-Freiberga. Thank you for that statement, Mr.
    President.
        We do have a limited time at our disposal, and I understand that the
    framework is to be one question to each President. So we'll start with a
    question to President Adamkus.
        President Bush. Or you have four Presidents to me--questions to me,
    if that's what you would like.
        President Vike-Freiberga. There's a question out there.

    Belarus

        Q. Yes--[inaudible]--from Lithuanian Television. Actually, I have a
    question to President Bush.
        President Bush. Yes, I thought that might be the case. [Laughter]
        Q. Regarding what you said recently, that democratic Belarus is also
    in Russia's interest, can there be a deal between Washington and Moscow
    whereby Russia would make sure that President Lukashenko is not
    reelected next year, and in return, Washington would encourage or would
    hail the democracy there but turn a blind eye on the continued Russia's
    influence there? Or are you prepared to go all the way?
        President Bush. No, that's an interesting question: Can you make a
    deal to determine somebody else's fate? I think that's what we're
    lamenting here today, about what happened to the Baltics--you know, kind
    of one of those secret deals amongst large powers that consigns people
    to a way of government. No, we don't make secret deals. The only deal
    that I think is a necessary deal for people is the deal of freedom. They
    should be allowed to express themselves in free and open and fair
    elections in Belarus.
        And that's--and as to whether or not it's in Russia's interest that
    democracies be on her border, absolutely it's in Russia's interest that
    she have friends and have neighbors who are democracies. We're used to
    that in America. We've got democracies on our border. And it's a
    blessing to have democracies on our border. We don't always agree, by
    the way, with our friends on our borders, but we are able to settle
    disputes peacefully because we are democracies.
        And so I will continue to speak as clearly as I can to President
    Putin that it's in his country's interests
    that there be democracies on his borders. I mean, after all, look at the
    three nations here. These are peaceful, prosperous nations that are good
    neighbors with Russia and good neighbors with each other and good
    neighbors elsewhere as well.

    Estonia-U.S. Relations

        President Vike-Freiberga. A question from the Estonian side.
        Q. [Inaudible]--I have a question to Mr. President Bush, but I will
    ask it in Estonia language.

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    [At this point, the reporter continued in Estonian.]

        President Bush. All right, I need the English translation. Start
    over.

    [The reporter continued in Estonian, and his questions were translated
    by an interpreter.]

        Q. For Estonia, it's very important to have good relations with the
    United States, and right now the relation has been very good. Which
    ranking would the relations of Estonia have in American foreign policy
    today and also in the future? Thank you.
        President Bush. Say that again. I'm getting kind of old, and I'm
    having trouble hearing.
        Q. I would like to know what is the ranking today and in the future
    in American foreign policy, the relations with Estonia? What is the
    ranking?
        President Bush. Now that the President's standing here, very
    important. No--[laughter]--look, I don't think a President can rank, but
    a President can praise, and I praise Estonia for being an open-market
    economy that is a free society. And therefore, if you're a free society
    that embraces market economies, you'll rank very high with me and the
    United States.
        The example of the Baltics is so vital for countries who are
    emerging from tyrannies to--and oppressive governments to free
    societies. It's really important. And that's why the active
    participation of the three leaders here in helping NGOs and civil
    societies develop in new democracies is vital, because who has got more
    credibility with leaders in new democracies than the three leaders here,
    who have had the experience of helping a democracy emerge?
        And so you rank very high, as far as I'm concerned, as participants
    in the freedom movement, the ability to inspire by example and lend
    expertise because of the experience you've had.
        President Vike-Freiberga. Thank you very much. A question from the
    Latvian side.

    Democracy in Eastern Europe

        Q. My question goes to Mr. Bush, and the other leaders too if they
    want to answer. And I will ask it in Latvian.

    [The reporter continued in Latvian, and her question was translated by
    an interpreter.]

        Q. Today, during negotiations, you talked about the relationship
    with Russia. Did you talk about the possibility of asking Mr. Putin to
    recognize occupation of the Baltic States in Moscow? You have, of late,
    so strongly supported the attempts of the Baltic States to explain their
    history. Do you expect anything to come of it? Thank you.
        President Bush. My position on that issue is very clear and has been
    clear about the occupation. And the position of my country has been
    clear about the occupation ever since the occupation took place. We
    proudly flew the flags of independent nations above your Embassies in
    Washington, DC, and the statement was clear: We never recognized nor
    accepted the occupation that did take place.
        I think this moment in history will be--give everybody a chance to
    recognize what took place in the past and move on. And look, I fully
    understand there's a lot of anger and frustration involved in the three
    Baltic countries about the occupation. I expressed that to President
    Putin, but he didn't need me to tell him. He
    fully understands there's a lot of frustrations and anger about what
    took place.
        My hope is that we're now able to move beyond that phase of history
    into a phase that is embracing democracy and free societies. These are
    extraordinary times that we're living in, and the three Baltic countries
    are capable of helping Russia and other countries in this part of the
    world see the benefits of what it means to live in a free society.
        And so we have a great opportunity to move beyond the past. Again, I
    repeat to you, I recognize the painful history, and my hope is that
    we're able to learn the

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    lessons from that painful history, that tyranny is evil and people
    deserve to live in a free society.
        As I'm going to say in my speech a little later on here, I'm going
    to say, ``Never again should we allow Jews and Gypsies to be
    exterminated and the world not pay close attention to it. Never again
    should we let--shall we tolerate tyranny and subjugating people to
    incredible death. We have an obligation as free societies never to
    forget that history and to do something about the possibility of that
    arising again.''
        And so, I am inspired by the example of the Baltic nations. I'm
    inspired by your courage of the past and your determination to move
    forward in a free society.
        Jennifer [Jennifer Loven, Associated Press].
        Q. Russia has expressed some displeasure with your travel itinerary,
    stopping here----
        President Bush. With what, now?
        Q. Russia has expressed some displeasure with your travel itinerary
    on this trip, stopping here in Latvia and going to Georgia----
        President Bush. Yes.
        Q. There's also some criticism that the U.S. is behind the
    revolutionary change in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan. What do you
    say to talk that the U.S. is inappropriately meddling in the
    neighborhood?
        President Bush. Oh, no, I thank you for that. First of all, this is
    not my first trip to the Baltics, and hopefully, it will not be my last
    trip to the Baltics. We've got good friends here. And as I travel around
    the world, I like to touch base with our friends.
        Revolution--I think you said the word ``revolution''--freedom is
    universal. Freedom is etched in everybody's soul. And the idea of
    countries helping others become free, I would hope that would be viewed
    as not revolutionary but rational foreign policy, as decent foreign
    policy, as humane foreign policy.
        I repeat to you that I think countries ought to feel comfortable
    with having democracies on their borders. After all, democracies are
    peaceful countries. Democracies don't fight each other, and democracies
    are good neighbors. You know, it's amazing how far this continent has
    come because of the freedom movement. Sixty years ago--it's really not
    all that long ago in the march of history, is it? It's pretty long if
    you're 30 years old, like you are, but 60 is not all that long for an
    old guy like President Adamkus. [Laughter] But now we're standing here
    talking about other parts of the world taking for granted that Europe is
    whole, free, and at peace. It shows how much life has changed as a
    result of people embracing an ideology that encourages peace.
        And we now have the same opportunity, this generation has the same
    opportunity to leave behind lasting peace for the next generation by
    working on the spread of freedom and democracy. And the United States
    has got great partners in doing what I think is our duty to spread
    democracy and freedom, with the three nations represented here.
        And so my trip here, Jennifer, is to say as clearly as I can to the
    people of these three great countries, ``Thank you for your sacrifices.
    Thank you for your courage, and thank you for your willingness to elect
    people who are willing to spread freedom and peace around the world.''
        May God bless your countries, and may God continue to bless mine.
    Thank you very much.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 2:40 p.m. in the Grand
    Hall at the Riga Latvian Society House. In his remarks, President Bush
    referred to President Vladimir Putin of Russia. A reporter referred to
    President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus. President Ruutel spoke in
    Estonian, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.

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