23 November 2002
Bush to Lithuania: By Joining NATO, Your Miracle of Freedom Goes On
(Baltic nations will never stand alone again, president says) (780)
President George W. Bush, speaking in Vilnius on November 23, said
that the invitation to join the Atlantic Alliance "is a great day in
the history of Lithuania, in the history of the Baltics, in the
history of NATO, and in the history of freedom."
President Bush said that Lithuania had earned the respect of the
United States and all nations by remaining true to its best traditions
of democracy, tolerance, and religious freedom.
"In the face of aggression," Bush declared to loud applause, "the
brave people of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will never again stand
alone."
President Bush concluded his remarks by saying: "You've gained your
freedom; you have won your independence. You now join a great
Alliance, and your miracle goes on."
Following is a transcript of President Bush's remarks to the citizens
of Vilnius, Lithuania:
(begin transcript)
Office of the Press Secretary
The White House
November 23, 2002
Remarks by the President to the Citizens of Vilnius
Vilnius, Lithuania
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you for your friendship and thank you for your leadership.
I'm also honored to be here with the Presidents of Latvia and Estonia.
I want to thank them for coming, as well. Laura and I are honored to
be here with you. Thank you for coming out to say hello. (Applause.)
This is a great day in the history of Lithuania, in the history of the
Baltics, in the history of NATO, and in the history of freedom.
(Applause.) The countries of NATO have opened the doors of our
Alliance to Lithuania and six other European democracies. And I have
the honor of sharing this message with you: We proudly invite
Lithuania to join us in NATO, the great Atlantic Alliance. (Applause.)
Many doubted that freedom would come to this country, but the United
States always recognized an independent Lithuania. (Applause.) We knew
that this continent would not remain divided. We knew that arbitrary
lines drawn by dictators would be erased, and those lines are now
gone. No more Munichs. No more Yaltas. The long night of fear,
uncertainty, and loneliness is over. You're joining the strong and
growing family of NATO. Our Alliance has made a solemn pledge of
protection, and anyone who would choose Lithuania as an enemy has also
made an enemy of the United States of America. (Applause.)
In the face of aggression, the brave people of Lithuania, Latvia and
Estonia will never again stand alone.
AUDIENCE: Aciu, aciu, aciu! (Thank you, thank you, thank you!)
THE PRESIDENT: You're welcome. (Laughter.) You are needed in the NATO
Alliance. You will contribute to our common security. Yet the strength
of NATO does not only depend on the might of armies, but on the
character of men and women.
We must be willing to stand in the face of evil, to have the courage
to always face danger. The people of the Baltic states have shown
these qualities to the world. You have known cruel oppression and
withstood it. You were held captive by an empire and you outlived it.
And because you have paid its cost you know the value of human
freedom.
Lithuania today is true to its best traditions of democracy and
tolerance and religious liberty, and you have earned the respect of my
nation and all nations. (Applause.)
Our alliance of freedom is being tested again by new and terrible
dangers. Like the Nazis and the communists before them, the terrorists
seek to end lives and control all life. And like the Nazis and the
communists before them, they will be opposed by free nations and the
terrorists will be defeated. (Applause.)
Over a decade ago, hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians, Latvians and
Estonians joined hands, from Tallinn to Vilnius, to show your love for
freedom. Near Cathedral Square is a stone commemorating that struggle.
Inscribed on that stone is one word: Miracle. The recent history of
the Baltic states truly is a miracle. You've gained your freedom; you
have won your independence. You now join a great Alliance, and your
miracle goes on.
Today on this great day, may God bless the memory of Lithuanian
patriots and freedom fighters who did not live to see this moment. And
may God always bless the brave and the free people of Lithuania.
(Applause.)
Thank you for coming today. May God bless freedom. (Applause.)
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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