[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7691 of July 18, 2003
 
Captive Nations Week, 2003

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

During Captive Nations Week, first declared in 1959 as a statement
against the continuing Communist domination of Eastern Europe, America
expresses its dedication to freedom and democracy. While many countries
around the world uphold these principles, millions of people still live
under regimes that violate their citizens' rights daily. In countries
such as Burma and Iran, citizens lack the right to choose their
government, speak out against oppression, and practice their religion
freely. The despot who rules Cuba imprisons political opponents and
crushes peaceful opposition, while in North Korea hundreds of thousands
languish in prison camps and citizens suffer from malnutrition as the
regime pursues weapons of mass destruction. Violence, corruption, and
mismanagement reign in Zimbabwe and an authoritarian government in
Belarus smothers political dissent.
Yet the cause of freedom is advancing. With the demise of the brutal
regime of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi people are no longer captives in
their own country. Their freedom is evidence of the fall of one of the
most oppressive dictators in history. Today, American and coalition
forces are helping to restore civil order and provide critical
humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people. Iraqis are now meeting openly and
freely to discuss the future of their country. The United States vows to
continue to work with those trying to bring about peaceful democratic
change and greater respect for human rights.
The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959, (73 Stat.
212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation
designating the third week in July of each year as ``Captive Nations
Week.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26, 2003, as Captive
Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to observe
this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to reaffirm
their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and self-
determination.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of
July, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH



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