    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 25 (Monday, June 26, 2006)]
    [Pages 1211-1213]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks in Budapest

    June 22, 2006

        Thank you very much. Jo napot kivanok. Thank you for your warm
    welcome. I first want to thank the President for his gracious
    hospitality and the chance to visit Sandor Palace. It's a beautiful
    site, and I know you're proud of it. I also want to thank your Prime
    Minister for his hospitality and the chance to go to the Parliament
    Building. Laura and I particularly liked to see the Holy Crown of St.
    Stephen. It was beautiful. It's a grand reminder of the great history of
    Hungary.
        I thank the Hungarian people for their gracious reception. Laura and
    I are honored to visit your great nation. Hungary sits at the heart of
    Europe. Hungary represents the triumph of liberty over tyranny, and
    America is proud to call Hungary a friend.
        I appreciate the opportunity to stand here on Gellert Hill, which
    offers a striking view of your beautiful city. Fifty years ago, you
    could watch history being written from this hill. In 1956, the Hungarian
    people suffered under a Communist dictatorship and domination by a
    foreign power. That fall, the Hungarian people decided they had enough
    and demanded change. From this spot, you could see tens of thousands of
    students and workers and other Hungarians marching through the streets.
    They called for an end to dictatorship, to censorship, and to the secret
    police. They called for free elections, a free press, and the release of
    political prisoners. These Hungarian patriots tore down the statue of
    Josef Stalin and defied an empire to proclaim their liberty.
        Twelve days after the Hungarian people stood up for their liberty,
    the Communists in Moscow responded with great brutality. Soon the
    streets of Budapest were filled with Soviet tanks. The Red Army killed
    many who resisted, including women and children. The Soviets threw many
    more into prison. They crushed the Hungarian uprising but not the
    Hungarian people's thirst for freedom.
        Some 200,000 Hungarians fled into exile in search of liberty. Many
    found refuge in the United States. These immigrants have contributed to
    my country in countless ways, and America will always be glad that we
    opened our doors to Hungarians that were seeking freedom. Fifty years
    later, the sacrifice of the Hungarian people inspires all who love
    liberty. Some of those who faced those tanks are here today. I had the
    honor of meeting three such gentlemen at lunch. I was proud to be in
    their presence. America honors your courage. We've learned from your
    example, and we resolve that when people stand up for their freedom,
    America will stand with them.
        In 1989, a new generation of Hungarians returned to the streets to
    demand their liberty and boldly helped others secure their freedom as
    well. By giving shelter to those fleeing tyranny and opening your border
    to the West, you helped bring down the Iron Curtain and gave the hope of
    freedom to millions in Central and Eastern Europe. Because you had the
    courage to lead, Hungary became the first Communist nation in Europe to
    make the transition to democracy.
        Hungary has continued to move forward. You regained your
    independence, held free elections, and established a free economy.
    Hungary is now a valued member of NATO and the European Union. You know
    that the democratic journey is not easy, but you continue to make the
    tough decisions that are necessary to succeed. America admires your
    perseverance; we welcome your progress; and America values our alliance
    with the free people of Hungary.
        You believe that free nations have an obligation to help others
    realize the benefits of freedom. So last year, you launched the

    [[Page 1212]]

    International Center for Democratic Transition here in Budapest. You set
    that center up to help others learn from your country's experiences.
    Hungary was also an early contributor to the United Nations Democracy
    Fund, which supports emerging democracies with legal and technical and
    financial assistance. And together America and Hungary helped launch the
    Foundation for the Future, which supports democratic reformers,
    independent journalists, women's groups, and human rights advocates
    throughout the Middle East. Hungary is making a difference in our world,
    and I thank you for your leadership in freedom's cause.
        Hungary is also showing courage in freedom's cause. In Kosovo,
    Hungarian soldiers are helping to secure the peace. Your work is aiding
    the rise of democracy in a region that has endured violence and tyranny
    for many decades. By your efforts, you're helping the people of the
    Balkans establish free and democratic societies, and you're paving the
    way for their membership in the institutions of a united Europe.
        Hungarian troops are also defending freedom's cause in the war on
    terror. In Afghanistan, your soldiers have rebuilt schools and a medical
    center. They've helped train Afghan police to enforce the rule of law
    and to protect the Afghan people. In Iraq, Hungarian troops played a
    vital role in Operation Iraqi Freedom by providing security and
    delivering food and medical supplies to coalition forces. Today,
    Hungarian soldiers are helping to train Iraqi security forces. This is
    important work. By supporting these two young democracies, you are
    strengthening two new allies in the war on terror, and you're bringing
    hope to millions of people in a vital region of the world.
        Last week, I traveled to Baghdad. I was impressed by what I saw.
    Americans and Hungarians and other coalition partners can be proud of
    what we have achieved in partnership with the Iraqi people. I met with
    Iraq's new Prime Minister and was able to see firsthand his strong
    character, his commitment to freedom, and his determination to succeed.
    Hungarians will recognize this spirit. Prime Minister Maliki is
    committed to the democratic ideals that also inspired Hungarian patriots
    in 1956 and 1989. He has a sound plan to improve security, to unify his
    people, and to deliver a better life for the citizens of Iraq. The
    success of the new Iraqi Government is vital to the security of all
    nations, and so it deserves the support of the international community.
    We will continue to help the Iraqi Government establish free
    institutions, to achieve its goals, and we will continue to help Iraq
    take its rightful place alongside America and Hungary as beacons of
    liberty in our world.
        Iraq's young democracy still faces determined enemies, people who
    will use violence and brutality to stop the march of freedom. Defeating
    these enemies will require sacrifice and continued patience--the kind of
    patience the good people of Hungary displayed after 1956. We will help
    them rebuild a country destroyed by a tyrant. We'll help the Iraqis
    defeat the enemies of freedom. Our commitment is certain; our objective
    is clear. The new Iraqi Government will show the world the promise of a
    thriving democracy in the heart of the Middle East.
        The Hungarian people know well the promise of freedom. Many of you
    lived through the nightmare of fascism or communism or both. Yet you
    never lost hope. You kept faith in freedom. And 50 years after you
    watched Soviet tanks invade your beloved city, you now watch your
    grandchildren play in the streets of a free Hungary.
        The lesson of the Hungarian experience is clear: Liberty can be
    delayed, but it cannot be denied. The desire for liberty is universal,
    because it is written by our Creator into the hearts of every man,
    woman, and child on this Earth. And as people across the world step
    forward to claim their own freedom, they will take inspiration from your
    example and draw hope from your success.
        Earlier today Laura and I laid a bouquet of flowers at the 1956
    Memorial Monument across the river. It was our privilege to do so. It
    was a moving moment for us. Kossuth Square is named for the father of
    Hungarian democracy and honors more than a century-and-a-half of
    Hungarian sacrifice in freedom's cause. A bust of this great leader
    stands in the United States Capitol. It affirms that those who fight for
    liberty are heroes not only in their own land but of all free

    [[Page 1213]]

    nations. All who love liberty are linked together across the generations
    and across the world.
        Your great poet, Petofi, said this: ``Here is the time, now or
    never! Shall we be slaves or free? This is the question; answer! By the
    God of the Hungarians we swear: We swear to be slaves no more!''
        These words were addressed to the Hungarian people, yet they speak
    to all people in all times. This is the spirit that we honor today. I
    appreciate the opportunity to come to this great country and to
    celebrate the Hungarian example--the courage, the sacrifice, the
    perseverance that has led to this democracy.
        On behalf of all Americans: Koszonom. May God bless you all. Thank
    you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:38 p.m. on Gellert Hill. In his remarks,
    he referred to President Laszlo Solyom and Prime Minister Ferenc
    Gyurcsany of Hungary; and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and former
    President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.