[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 30 (Monday, July 28, 2003)]
[Pages 941-942]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7691--Captive Nations Week, 2003

 July 18, 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

[[Page 942]]

of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., July 22, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on July 
23. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.