[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 45 (Monday, November 14, 2005)]
[Pages 1687-1689]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
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.
[[Page 1688]]
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.
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
[[Page 1689]]
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.
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.