    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 21, 2005]
    [Pages 1756-1758]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
    November 21, 2005

        Amar bain uu? Thanks for the warm welcome. And, Mr.
    President, thank you for your
    hospitality. I thank you, the Prime Minister, and the Government for such gracious hospitality. I
    want to thank the First Lady for being so
    kind to Laura. It is really, really an honor to
    be here in your great country. And we bring with us the good wishes of
    the American people.
        I'm here on an important international mission. Secretary
    Rumsfeld asked me to check on his horse.
    [Laughter] I feel very much at home here in your country. This is a
    beautiful land with huge skies and vast horizons, kind of like Texas. I
    thank you for the invitation. I'm honored to be the first sitting
    American President to visit Mongolia, and America is proud to call you
    the third neighbor.
        Fifteen years ago, Mongolians gathered outside this great hall by
    the thousands, braving subzero temperatures and defying a repressive
    regime to demand their liberty. The protesters included students and
    workers and monks and a group of young democrats on a hunger strike. By
    the force of their convictions, they drove the communist leadership from
    power. Within months, free elections were held, and a free Mongolia was
    born. And today, one of the young hunger strikers who stood vigil
    outside the building now serves as the Prime Minister of your great nation.
        Mongolia has made the transition from communism to freedom, and in
    just 15 years, you've established a vibrant democracy and opened up your
    economy. You're an example of success for this region and for the world.
    I know the transition to liberty has not always been easy, and Americans
    admire your patience and your determination. By your daily efforts,
    you're building a better life for your children and your grandchildren.
    And I've come to tell you, as you build a free society in the heart of
    central Asia, the American people stand with you.
        Earlier this year, when a terrible hurricane struck my Nation's gulf
    coast, the Mongolian people stood with us. Even before the flood waters
    had fully receded, your Government pledged aid, and a group

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    of business leaders in Mongolia raised additional money. These funds are
    helping to rebuild shattered lives in my country. In a time of tragedy
    for America, Mongolia showed her compassionate heart, and my country
    thanks you for your support and friendship.
        Americans and Mongolians have much in common. Both our nations were
    settled by pioneers on horseback who tamed the rugged plains. Both our
    nations shook the yoke of colonial rule and built successful free
    societies. And both our nations know that our responsibilities in
    freedom's cause do not end at our borders and that survival of liberty
    in our own lands increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other
    lands.
        This conviction has inspired the Mongolian people to share the hope
    of freedom with others who have not known it. Mongolian officers have
    served in missions to keep the peace in Western Sahara and the Congo.
    Your forces are serving alongside U.S. and coalition forces helping to
    train the armed forces of a free Afghanistan. And in September, Mongolia
    sent its fifth rotation of forces to Iraq, and Mongolian soldiers are
    serving in that country with courage and great distinction.
        Two Mongolian soldiers named Sergeants Azzaya
    and Sambuu-Yondon are here with us today.
    In Iraq, they risked their lives to stop a suicide bomber who was trying
    to drive a truck full of explosives into a coalition mess tent. As the
    truck hurtled towards them, they opened fire, killing the terrorist and
    saving countless lives. As Commander in Chief of the United States Armed
    Forces, I thank these brave Mongolian soldiers and all who have served
    on the frontlines of the war on terror. The Mongolian Armed Forces are
    serving the cause of freedom, and the United States Armed Forces are
    proud to serve beside such fearless warriors.
        In Iraq, Mongolian forces have helped make possible a stunning
    transformation. Earlier this year, Iraqis went to the polls and chose
    their leaders in free elections. Last month, they returned to the polls
    and approved a democratic constitution for a free Iraq. And in a few
    weeks time, Iraqis will vote once again to choose a fully constitutional
    government to lead them for the next 4 years. With their ballots, the
    Iraqi people are sending a clear message: There will be no return to the
    days of tyranny and terror; the future of Iraq belongs to freedom.
        Many of you can still recall the exhilaration of voting freely for
    the first time after decades of tyranny. You know the satisfaction of
    seeing leaders you chose take office and of seeing them leave office if
    you decide to replace them. You know the feeling of living under a
    constitution that guarantees personal liberties like free speech, free
    assembly, and equality before the law. And now, because of the courage
    of Mongolian and coalition forces, the people of Iraq know this feeling
    as well.
        In Iraq, the advance of freedom is opposed by determined
    adversaries, the followers of a murderous ideology, who exploit the
    religion of Islam to serve a violent political vision. They kill the
    innocent in pursuit of a totalitarian empire that denies all political
    and religious freedom. Like the ideology of communism, the ideology of
    Islamic radicalism is led by a self-appointed vanguard that presumes to
    speak for the masses. Like the ideology of communism, Islamic radicalism
    teaches the innocent can be murdered to serve their brutal aims. Like
    the ideology of communism, Islamic radicalism is dismissive of free
    peoples, claiming that men and women who live in liberty are weak and
    decadent. And like the ideology of communism, the ideology of Islamic
    radicalism is destined to fall because the will to power is no match for
    the universal desire to live in liberty.
        Free people did not falter in the cold war, and free people will not
    falter in the war on terror. We see the determination to live in freedom
    in the courage of Iraqi

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    and Afghan citizens who defied the terrorists to cast their ballots. We
    see it in the bravery of ordinary Lebanese who waved cedar flags and
    drove an occupying power from their borders. And we've seen it in the
    daily courage of the Mongolian people who claimed their freedom 15 years
    ago and are now standing with others across the world to help them do
    the same.
        As you help others secure the blessings of liberty, you continue the
    work of building a free society here at home, and as you travel this
    path, the United States walks with you. Earlier this year, I announced a
    new Solidarity Initiative to provide financial assistance to nations
    like Mongolia that are standing with America in the war on terror.
    Mongolia will receive $11 million under this initiative, critical funds
    to help you improve your military forces so we can continue working
    together for the cause of peace and freedom.
        Mongolia has undertaken political and economic reforms. You have now
    held numerous free elections and two peaceful transitions of power from
    one party to another, which is a sign of a successful democracy. This
    year, Mongolia ratified the United Nations Convention against
    Corruption, and I urge your Parliament to pass the anticorruption
    legislation needed to implement that treaty. After decades of
    centralization, you privatized more than 80 percent of Mongolia's state
    enterprises, and the Mongolian economy grew at a rate of more than 10
    percent last year.
        In recognition of your progress, Mongolia has been named a country
    eligible for assistance under the Millennium Challenge Account, a new
    program the United States has established to assist countries that
    govern justly, invest in their people, and promote economic freedom. My
    administration is committed to working with your country to complete a
    Millennium Challenge compact as soon as possible and to help the
    Mongolian people continue on the path of reform.
        Next year, your country will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the
    founding of Mongolia. There's a legend of a Mongolian woman who gave
    each of her five sons an arrow. She told each to break the arrow in his
    hand, which they did. She then tied the five arrows together, and told
    each to try and break the bundle. None could do it. And she told them,
    brothers who stand alone like single arrow shafts can be broken by
    anyone, but brothers who stand together like a bundle of arrows cannot
    be broken. Today, Mongolia and the United States are standing together
    as brothers in the cause of freedom. And if free nations remain united,
    no force of tyranny or terror will break us.
        I've come here to thank you for your contributions to freedom's
    cause and to tell you that the American people appreciate your courage
    and value your friendship. And on behalf of all Americans, ikh
    bayarlalaa. And may God bless your wonderful country. Thank you very
    much.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:13 p.m. in the Conference Hall at the
    Government House. In his remarks, he referred to President Nambaryn
    Enkhbayar and his wife, Onongiin Tsolmon, and Prime Minister Tsakhia
    Elbegdorj of Mongolia.