[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 19 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[Pages 787-788]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 echos 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, 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

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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.
    * White House correction.
    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.