    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 8, 2005]
    [Pages 1687-1689]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

     Interview With Eagle Television of Mongolia
     November 8, 2005

     President's Upcoming Visit to Mongolia

         Gonchigjav Batjav.  So there are many developing countries in Asia.
    So why did you choose to visit Mongolia at this time?
         The President.  First of all, I am really looking forward to going.
    This is going to be an exciting trip for me and Laura. Mongolia has got a certain fascination for me. I grew
    up in the West of the United States where there's--where we like wide-
    open spaces. And when you think about Mongolia, you think about a big
    country with a lot of space. But what's interesting about Mongolia is
    it's more than geography now, as far as I'm concerned. It's a people
    that have worked hard to become free, a democracy.
         We kind of consider ourselves--and we like the slogan, ``the third
    neighbor'' of Mongolia. And so I've chosen to go there because of the
    spirit of the people and a leadership that shares our desire to let
    the--to have a government of and by and for the people.

     Democratic Values

         Mr. Batjav.  Great. So, Mr. President, let's talk for a moment
    about America's foreign policy.
         The President.  Okay.
         Mr. Batjav.  Democracies change leaders every few years, so in that
    change often comes a change in a nation's foreign policy. So what steps
    has your administration taken to ensure that the foreign policy
    initiatives you have taken will continue to be guiding principles for
    the U.S. after you leave the White House?

         The President.  Thank you. That's a very interesting question.
    First of all, there are certain values that are inherent in our country
    that any leader will bring to the White House, the value of human
    rights, human dignity, freedom to worship, freedom of the press, freedom
    to speak your mind. And so foreign policy will have inherent in it those
    values.

         The other thing is, is that once democracy takes hold--it's hard
    work to make it work, but once it takes hold, it's hard to change it.
    Because democracy really speaks to the people and says, ``We listen to
    you. You're free. You can realize your dreams.'' And so one of the
    things my administration is doing is working in places where there
    hasn't been democracy. I think of the Palestinian Territories or Iraq.
    We're working in places where there's a new democracy to help strengthen
    those democracies. Lebanon is a good example--Georgia, Ukraine. We're
    working with countries that have dedicated themselves to democracy but
    want the friendship of the United States to help them even further
    democracy. And Mongolia is such a case.

         And so one way you leave behind a foundation that others can't undo
    is to give people--help people develop a form of government that just
    can't be unwound unless something catastrophic were to take place inside
    the country.

    [[Page 1688]]

     Mongolia-U.S. Relations

         Mr. Batjav.  Okay, great. So as part of our new relationship,
    Mongolia has contributed our peacekeeping troops in Iraq and
    Afghanistan. So in the future, if there are any military threats against
    Mongolia by its neighbors, would the U.S., under your administration,
    also rise to our defense?
         The President.  That's a very good question. We're close friends.
    And by being friends, I think we can prevent any potential military
    dispute from arising. But of course we would support our friends. We
    certainly would--nobody anticipates over the next 3 years of my
    administration, any force being used against our friend. But my visit
    should send a signal to the people of Mongolia that you've got a friend
    in the United States and a friend in George W. Bush.

     Democracy in Mongolia

         Mr. Batjav.  Great to hear it. So during your visit to Mongolia,
    you will be addressing the nation in a wide televised address. So our
    nation is experiencing a crisis of corruption.
         The President.  Yes.
         Mr. Batjav.  So you will be speaking to our leaders and our nation
    about the dangers that corruption poses to our democracy. Can you give
    us a preview about it?
         The President.  Well, I'm not going to give you a preview of the
    speech, because then people may not watch it if they get a preview, see.
    On the other hand, I will say on your TV screens, there should be no
    corruption in government, that one of the foundations of any government
    is the ability for the people to trust the government, itself. And a
    foundation of democracy and a foundation of our foreign policy and a
    foundation of our Millennium Challenge Account is that there be honest
    government.

     Millennium Challenge Accounts

         Mr. Batjav.  Okay. The next related question is going to be to
    Millennium Challenge.
         The President.  Okay.
         Mr. Batjav.  So how has the issue of political corruption affected
    Mongolia's status for the Millennium Challenge Account?
         The President.  Well, we intend to move forward on the Millennium
    Challenge Account with Mongolia. Mongolia is a friend. On the other
    hand, we will insist that as a condition of the Millennium Challenge
    checks being written that there be honest government, that there be
    investment in health and education of the people, that there be a
    dedication to rule of law and to the marketplace.

     Democracy in Mongolia

         Mr. Batjav.  Okay, the last question is so important for our
    television. You might be aware that the Eagle Television was the first
    independent TV station established in Mongolia, with American Christians
    and Mongolians are working together to advance freedom of speech, press,
    and conscience in our country. So, first, how do you feel about the role
    of ordinary American citizens supporting this kind of work for
    Mongolia's democracy? And the second, what further role do you think the
    ordinary American citizens can play in helping to address faith and
    freedom in Mongolia through media?
         The President.  Very good question. First of all, I believe in a
    free media, and I believe that people ought to--and a media that is
    independent from government, like we have in America, is an important
    part of a society. In other words, government officials should not fear
    a free media; they ought to welcome a free media.
         Listen, in my own media, I don't agree with everything that is
    said, but I strongly support their right to say it, just like I strongly
    support the right of people of faith to be involved with helping to
    spread this concept of freedom.

    [[Page 1689]]

         Secondly, I think investments will help the people of Mongolia. In
    other words, there's a way for people in America, businesses for
    example, to invest in Mongolia, because that means jobs and stability
    and a good future.
         But no, listen, you'll find Americans are very compassionate people
    that love freedom, and they want to help people be free. And by the way,
    your form of government is democracy, but it ought to reflect your
    traditions and your great history. And I know it is.
         Listen, I'm looking forward to going to your wonderful country.
    It's going to be a fantastic experience. I'm excited. I truly am excited
    to come.
         Mr. Batjav.  Great. Thank you, sir.
         The President.  Yes, very good job. Thank you.

      Note:  The interview was taped at 1:43 p.m. in the Map Room at the
    White House for later broadcast. A tape was not available for
    verification of the content of this interview.