[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
[May 10, 2005]
[Pages 782-783]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Remarks in Freedom Square in Tbilisi
May 10, 2005
Mr. President, thank you for that introduction. Citizens of a free
Georgia, Laura and I were in the neighborhood; we
thought we'd swing by and say gamarjoba.
I am proud to stand beside a President who has shown such spirit,
determination, and leadership in the cause of freedom. And Laura and I are proud to stand with the courageous people of
Georgia in this place that has earned a proud name, Freedom Square.
When Georgians gathered here 16 years ago, this square had a
different name. Under Lenin's steely gaze, thousands of Georgians prayed
and sang and demanded their independence. The Soviet army crushed that
day of protest, but they could not crush the spirit of the Georgian
people.
The following year, Georgians returned to this square and pulled
down the statue of Lenin. And on April 9th, 1991, you declared to the
world that Soviet Georgia was no more and that the independent nation of
Georgia was born. On that historic day, you reclaimed your sovereignty,
but the hopeful start you made was not fulfilled. So 18 months ago,
Georgians returned to this square to complete the task you began in
1989. You gathered here armed with nothing but roses and the power of
your convictions, and you claimed your liberty. And because you acted,
Georgia is today both sovereign and free and a beacon of liberty for
this region and the world.
The path of freedom you have chosen is not easy, but you will not
travel it alone. Americans respect your courageous choice for liberty.
And as you build a free and democratic Georgia, the American people will
stand with you.
You are building a free future for your children and grandchildren,
and you are helping other nations to do the same. When the Afghan people
defied terrorists to vote in that nation's first free Presidential
elections, Georgian soldiers were there to provide security. And last
year, when terrorist violence in Iraq was escalating, Georgia showed her
courage. You increased your troop commitment in Iraq fivefold. The Iraqi
people are grateful, and so are your American and coalition allies.
You are making many important contributions to freedom's cause, but
your most important contribution is your example. In recent months, the
world has marveled at the hopeful changes taking place from Baghdad to
Beirut to Bishkek. But before there was a Purple Revolution in Iraq or
an Orange Revolution in Ukraine or a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, there
was the Rose Revolution in Georgia. Your courage is inspiring democratic
reformers and sending a message that echoes across the world: Freedom
will be the future of every nation and every people on Earth.
Building a free society is the work of generations. It took nearly
15 years of struggle before liberty and justice fully took root in this
country. Many of the students and workers who gathered here on this
square 18 months ago were too young to remember the protests of 1989,
but they took up freedom's cause and finished the work that their
parents had begun.
Now, across the Caucasus, in Central Asia, and the broader Middle
East, we see the same desire for liberty burning in the hearts of young
people. They are demanding their freedom, and they will have it.
As free nations, the United States and Georgia have great
responsibilities, and together, we will do our duty. Free societies are
peaceful societies. And by extending liberty to millions who have not
known it, we will advance the cause of freedom and we will advance the
cause of peace.
In this global struggle for liberty, our duties begin at home. While
peaceful revolutions can bring down repressive regimes,
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the real changes--the real challenge is to build up free institutions in
their place. This is difficult work, and you are undertaking it with
dignity and determination. You have taken tough steps to reform your
economy and to crack down on corruption. You are building a democratic
society where the rights of minorities are respected, where a free press
flourishes, a vigorous opposition is welcome, and unity is achieved
through peace. In this new Georgia, the rule of law will prevail and
freedom will be the birthright of every citizen.
This was the dream of your late Prime Minister Zhvania, who once
said, ``It is not by mere chance that we have adopted two very important
ideas as our watchwords, freedom and responsibility.'' Today we pay
tribute to this Georgian patriot who became a great leader of the global
democratic revolution. In building a free and responsible society, you
honor his memory and you carry on his legacy.
As you build free institutions at home, the ties that bind our
nations will grow deeper as well. We respect Georgia's desire to join
the institutions of Europe. We encourage your closer cooperation with
NATO. Georgia's leaders know that the peaceful resolution of conflicts
is essential to your integration into the transatlantic community. At
the same time, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia must
be respected--the territorial [territory] * and sovereignty of Georgia
must be respected by all nations.
We are living in historic times when freedom is advancing from the
Black Sea to the Caspian to the Persian Gulf and beyond. As you watch
free people gathering in squares like this across the world, waving
their nations' flags and demanding their God-given rights, you can take
pride in this fact: They have been inspired by your example, and they
take hope in your success.
As you build freedom in this country, you must know that the seeds
of liberty you are planting in Georgian soil are flowering across the
globe. I have come here to thank you for your courage. The American
people value your friendship and admire your determination. On behalf of
all Americans, thank you; God bless you; Sakartvelos gaumarjos.
Note: The President spoke at 1:27 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia.