31 May 2003
Bush Calls For U.S.-European Cooperation on Terror, Disease, Hunger
(President's May 31 radio address to the nation) (780)
President Bush, in his May 31 radio address to the nation, described
U.S. initiatives to fight terrorism, end hunger and disease, and
alleviate poverty around the world, and welcomed European
participation in those efforts.
In his address, released as the president began a week-long trip to
Europe and the Middle East, Bush said "we welcome and we need the
help, advice and wisdom of friends and allies. When Europe and America
are united, no problem and no enemy can stand against us."
Following is a transcript of the president's address:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
May 31, 2003
RADIO ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT TO THE NATION
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend I am beginning a journey to
Europe and the Middle East. My first stop is Poland, the home of a
proud people who have known both the horror of tyranny and the hope of
liberty.
On a visit to Warsaw two years ago, I affirmed our nation's commitment
to a united Europe, bound to America by close ties of history,
commerce and friendship. Today we are striving for a world in which
men and women can live in freedom and peace, instead of in fear and
chaos, and every civilized nation has a stake in the outcome.
Poland and America are proud members of NATO, and our military
alliance must be prepared to meet the challenges of our time. Our
common security requires European governments to invest in modern
military capabilities so our forces can move quickly with a precision
that can strike the guilty and spare the innocent.
NATO must show resolve and foresight to act beyond Europe, and it has
begun to do so. NATO has agreed to lead security forces in Afghanistan
and to support Polish allies in Iraq. A strong NATO alliance, with a
broad vision of its role, will serve our security and the cause of
peace.
In the last 20 months, the world has seen the determination of our
nation, and many others, to fight the forces of terror. Yet armed
force is always a last resort, and Americans know that terrorism is
not defeated by military power alone. We believe that the ultimate
answer to hatred is hope. The ideology of terrorism takes hold in an
atmosphere of resentment and despair. And so we help men and women
around the world to build lives of purpose and dignity.
In Africa and elsewhere, America is committed to a comprehensive,
$15-billion effort to prevent and treat AIDS and provide humane care
for its victims. I urge our partners in Europe to make a similar
commitment, so we can work together in turning the tide against AIDS
in Africa. My administration has proposed an emergency famine fund, so
we can rush help to countries where the first signs of famine appear.
The nations of Europe can greatly help in this effort with emergency
funds of their own. I urge European governments to reconsider policies
that discourage African farmers from using safe biotechnology to feed
their own people.
I have also proposed a 50-percent increase in America's core
development assistance to help spur economic growth and alleviate
poverty. This aid will go where it will do the most good -- not to
corrupt elites, but to nations with leaders that respect the rule of
law, invest in the health and education of their people, and encourage
economic freedom. If European governments will adopt these same
standards, we can work side-by-side in providing the kind of
development aid that helps transform entire societies.
America and Europe are called to advance the cause of freedom and
peace. Next week in the Middle East, I will meet with the Palestinian
and Israeli Prime Ministers, and other leaders in the region. The work
ahead will require difficult decisions and leadership, but there is no
other choice. No leader of conscience can accept more months and years
of humiliation and killing and mourning. For peace to prevail,
terrorism must end. All concerned must shake off the old arguments and
the old ways and act in the cause of peace. And I will do all I can to
help the parties reach and agreement and to see that agreement is
enforced.
This is America's agenda in the world. From the defeat of terror, to
the alleviation of disease and hunger, to the spread of human liberty,
we welcome and we need the help, advice and wisdom of friends and
allies. When Europe and America are united, no problem and no enemy
can stand against us.
Thank you for listening.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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