We are celebrating the passing of 60 years from the end of the second world
war, and the defeat of Nazism. And the American people will never forget
the occupation and communist oppression of the people of the Baltics. It's
not easy to go from communism to democracy , and yet, these three nations have
shown the world how to do so, and we congratulate you on your good, hard work.
No, we don't make secret deals.
Revolution -- I think you said the word, "revolution" -- freedom is
universal. Democracies don't fight each other, and democracies are good
neighbors. You know, it's amazing how far this continent has come because of
the freedom movement . Kate's PAC proposal which outlined creative
and proven methods to expand and maintain PAC membership was selected out of
the 35 proposals that were submitted."
Kate will present a case study of NACDS-PAC's strategy, Member Benefits --
Life Beyond a Membership Pin, focusing on the creative and effective ways to
engage and maintain PAC members.nacds.

territorial political

I mean, after all, look at the three nations here.

commitment connection

It has already been a year since we have become members of NATO and the
European Union. And I want to thank you for your
contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan.S.
Now, if you 'd like to do something -- (laughter.
Jennifer.S.

council freedom

And by standing and speaking freely, and I
would say, introducing some kind of a dose of oxygen into the resistance and
opposition which is striving for those same rights we are enjoying, we will
definitely defend and make a better world , looking into the future. Thank you, Mr.
I want to thank those soldiers from Estonia and the United States who are
now fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.
(Laughter.
One objective of my trip is to honor the memories of those who sacrificed
60 years ago in the struggle against Nazism and fascism. We talked about Russia and
the relationship between the Baltics and Russia. As you can imagine, one
topic that came up with all three leaders was visa policy.

Q For Estonia, it's very important to have good relations with the United
States, and right now the relation has been very good. A question from the Latvian
side. We've got good friends here.

moral www

We will be standing shoulder-to-
shoulder on general global issues concerning the humanity, and especially when
we are celebrating the end of World War II against -- the victory against
Nazism, and at the same time , standing for the principles which are dear to
the rest of the world community -- principles of democracy , protection of
human rights, principles of free expression. We had a really good discussion today about Belarus. These three nations have also
recognized that those of who are free have a responsibility to help others be
free outside of our neighborhoods.S. And I say to you, thank for being such good
friends and colleagues, and thank you for your hospitality again, Madam
President.

Q I have a question to Mr.
Every year the Public Affairs Council reaches out to obtain the best PAC
practices from their membership.

commitment moral

We also talked about our relationship with Russia in our discussions. Thank you for your
attention. President. And it's a blessing to have
democracies on our border. Putin to recognize occupation of the Baltic states in Moscow? You
have, of late, so strongly supported the attempts of the Baltic states to
explain the history.
I repeat to you that I think countries ought to feel comfortable with
having democracies on their borders. Thank
you very much. ALEXANDRIA, Va. For more information about NACDS,
visit http://www.

american integrity

And so we -- we're proud
to be here with you all, fellow members of NATO.
I also want to thank you for your hard work in helping democracy spread in
the neighborhood.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes , I thought that might be the case. Which ranking would the
relations of Estonia have in American foreign policy today, and also in the
future? Thank you. Do you expect anything to come of it? Thank you.

PRESIDENT BUSH: My position on that issue is very clear, and has been
clear, about the occupation. And, look, I
fully understand there's a lot of anger and frustration involved in the three
Baltic countries about the occupation.
As I'm going to say in my speech a little later on here, I'm going to say,
never again should we allow Jews and gypsies to be exterminated and the world
not pay close attention to it. We have an obligation as
free societies never to forget that history, and to do something about the
possibility of that arising again.S. What do you say to talk that the
U. is inappropriately meddling in the neighborhood?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Oh, no, I thank you for that. And as I travel around the world I like
to touch base with our friends .

represents lithuanian

M.
The efforts of the United States and the Baltics allow us here in Riga
today to celebrate the victory of freedom.
And so I will continue to speak as clearly as I can to President Putin
that it's in his country's interests that there be democracies on his borders. These are peaceful ,
prosperous nations that are good neighbors with Russia, and good neighbors
with each other and good neighbors elsewhere, as well.

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: Thank you very much.
"We are very proud of Kate's creative efforts to maximize NACDS' political
effectiveness which garnered a 53% increase in employee and member
contributions in NACDS-PAC last year," said Lee Verstandig , senior vice
president, Governmental Affairs for NACDS.

estonian ethnicity

(Local)
PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to
this joint press conference of the three Baltic Presidents and the President
of the United States of America. We reassure you that Estonia is willing to share its experiences
with these countries that are going towards these goals. We
recognize your painful history. We
talked about the Ukraine and Georgia and Moldova. And, therefore, if you're a free society that embraces market
economies, you'll rank very high with me and the United States.
I think this moment -- this moment in history will be -- give everybody a
chance to recognize what took place in the past and move on.

independence freedom

Our people are working together in
the transatlantic sphere and throughout the world.
As a result, you've been readily accepted into NATO, and now the EU. We've got democracies on our border. President Bush, but it's in Estonia language.) Look, I don't think a President can rank , but a President can
praise, and I praise Estonia for being an open market economy that is a free
society. is behind the revolutionary
change in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.
And so my trip here, Jennifer, is to say as clearly as I can to the people
of these three great countries , thank you for your sacrifices; thank you for
your courage; and thank you for your willingness to elect people who are
willing to spread freedom and peace around the world. (Local)

The National PAC conference will be held February 8-11, 2005 in Key West,
Florida.

committee ethnicity

President.

The will and desire with
which the United States has supported the endeavors of our people have proven
to be very fruitful. Not
only Estonia, but in the interests of all countries, it is best to have as a
partner a stable and democratic Russia who shares our values and is open for
constructive cooperation. The hospitality has been tremendous, and we
really thank you. Solidarity
Fund, to help these nations who have deployed troops to be able to better
afford those deployments. I talked about the
way forward to make sure our visa policy works well with our friends and
allies. No --
(laughter.
(Laughter.

meaningful commitment

Solidarity Fund -- my request to the Congress for the U.
Q Yes -- from Lithuanian Television. The only deal that I think is a necessary deal
for people is the deal of freedom.
And that's -- and as to whether or not it's in Russia's interest that
democracies be on her border, absolutely, it's in Russia's interest that she
have friends and have neighbors who are democracies.

Q A question from the Estonian side.

PRESIDENT BUSH: All right, I need the English translation. Start over.
The example of the Baltics is so vital for countries who are emerging from
tyrannies to -- and oppressive governments to free societies.

Q My question goes to Mr. Today, during negotiations, you talked
about the relationship with Russia.) But now we're standing here talking about other parts of the world
taking for granted that Europe is whole, free, and at peace. NACDS members
operate more than 32,000 pharmacies, employ 112 ,000 pharmacists, fill more
than 2.org.

estonian baltic

But I recognize that in the West,
the end of the second world war meant peace, but in the Baltics, it brought
occupation and communist oppression. To this end, I discussed my request for
the U. In other words, the over-stays during occupation must be
viewed differently now that the three countries have been freed.

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: There 's a question out there. Bush. Sixty years ago -- it's really not all that long ago in
the march of history, is it? It's pretty long if you're 30 years old, like you
are, but -- but 60 is not all that long for an old guy like President Adamkus.
And we now have the same opportunity, this generation has the same
opportunity to leave behind lasting peace for the next generation, by working
on the spread of freedom and democracy.

commitment connection

And I am grateful to the President for his presence here in the Baltic
states, his inspiration and strength for all of us to continue our
commitments.

We were talking about the means with which we can help democracy, peace
and welfare to other countries, which some countries do not enjoy, even in the
21st century. First, we have President Bush,
who would like to make a statement.
And so we have a great opportunity to move beyond the past. Never again should we let -- shall we tolerate
tyranny and subjugating people to incredible death.

ethnicity continued

With this, I pass the floor to the President of Lithuania,
President Valdas Adamkus. And the
world is better off because of the hard decisions your governments have made. Actually, I have a question to
President Bush. (Laughter.

THE PRESIDENT: Say that again. And that's why the active participation of the three leaders here
in helping NGOs and civil societies develop in new democracies is vital,
because who has got more credibility with leaders in new democracies than the
three leaders here who have had the experience of helping a democracy emerge. And the United States has got great
partners in doing what I think is our duty to spread democracy and freedom
with the three nations represented here. (Applause.

committee assure

We have just had a meeting together and the
most fruitful discussion about our transatlantic relationships, and also on
the relationship between the two institutions of which Latvia, Estonia and
Lithuania have become members since the past year -- the relationship between
NATO and the European Union.
We are honored and pleased to have this opportunity to have a great leader
from a great and powerful country come to our region, and show interest in
what happens here, and to have this open and very frank debate with the three
Baltic Presidents. Estonia is very satisfied with
the progress made in Ukraine and Georgia, and is prepared to continue
supporting their endeavors. So we'll start with a
question to President Adamkus. They should be allowed to express
themselves in free and open and fair elections in Belarus.

Q I would like to know what is the ranking today and in the future in
American foreign policy, the relations with Estonia? What is the ranking?

THE PRESIDENT: With the President standing here, very important. Again, I
repeat to you, I recognize the painful history, and my hope is that -- is that
we're able to learn the lessons from that painful history, that tyranny is
evil and people deserve to live in a free society. First of all, this is not my
first trip to the Baltics, and hopefully, it will not be my last trip to the
Baltics.1 billion prescriptions yearly, and have annual sales of over $500
billion .

council continued

PRESIDENT ADAMKUS: Mr. We touched on issues concerning directly the relationship
between Baltic states, and of course, on the global issues. Today's meeting once again reaffirms the deep friendship and
the strong relationship between our countries. And I would especially like to
emphasize the United States' role, who never recognized the occupation of the
Baltic states.) I think maybe company from
across the ocean should be given a chance to make a statement, as well. We're used to that in
America. We proudly flew
the flags of independent nations above your embassies in Washington , D.
May God bless your countries, and may God continue to bless mine. "Contributing to a political
action committee shows that an industry is united in support of efforts to
influence key policy makers and legislators. NACDS international membership has grown
to include 93 members from 30 countries .

estonian commitment

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: Questions? No. Part of the issue, of course, is that in the past -- we've looked to
past history to determine future visa policy, and now we've begun to change
looking at the past. I think that's what we're lamenting here
today, about what happened to the Baltics -- you know, kind of one of those
secret deals amongst large powers that consigns people to a way of government. It's really
important. Did you talk about the possibility of
asking Mr. And the idea of countries
helping others become free, I would hope that would be viewed as not
revolutionary , but rational foreign policy, as decent foreign policy, as
humane foreign policy. After all, democracies are peaceful
countries.

baltic sovereignty

And there was total agreement,
and I can reassure the President of the United States that we will be standing
and defending the rights of the people, even those neighbors who are still,
for them, democracy is a dream.

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: President Ruutel .

PRESIDENT RUUTEL: Honored colleagues, esteemed press, I'm very happy about
today's meeting and the high-level contacts between our countries have
produced very essential and fruitful cooperation . And we look
forward to working with you on the way forward to reasonable and fair visa
policy .
And so you rank very high, as far as I'm concerned, as participants in the
freedom movement , the ability to inspire by example and lend expertise because
of the experience you've had.M.

NACDS ' Kate Fry to Speak at National PAC Conference

latvian territorial

Remarks By President Bush President Vike-Freiberga of Latvia President Ruutel of Estonia and President Adamkus Of Lithuania

President, ladies and gentlemen, this was an
extremely good meeting, and at a very good time, while welcoming the President
of the United States here, as I said, welcome back to the source of the Baltic
Sea. But this victory did not bring freedom and
democracy to many people and, of course, I mean the Baltic states, who lost
their independence for a long period of time.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: It's kind of dangerous -- as you know, I'm a little long-
winded. You see, one of the important
examples of these three countries is that not only have they become free
societies, but they learn to adapt to the conditions of a free society. I'm getting kind of old and I'm having
trouble hearing.
My hope is that we're now able to move beyond that phase of history into a
phase that is embracing democracy and free societies.

working territorial

And it was during the discussions we really touched on vital issues: the
relationship between the United States and the European continent as --
(inaudible) --.)

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: Thank you for that statement, Mr.
But he didn't need me to tell him, he fully understands there's a lot of
frustrations and anger about what took place.
And so, I am inspired by the example of the Baltic nations. I'm inspired
by your courage of the past and your determination to move forward in a free
society.

working countries

(Laughter. But thank you, Madam President.
I want to congratulate our friends and allies who stand here with me on
the progress you've made in the past decade.
We do have a limited time at our disposal, and I understand that the
framework is to be one question to each President., and
the statement was clear: we never recognized, nor accepted the occupation that
did take place. It shows how
much life has changed as a result of people embracing an ideology that
encourages peace.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) represents the
nation's leading retail chain pharmacies and suppliers, helping them better
meet the changing needs of their patients and customers.

baltic freedom

WASHINGTON, The following is a transcript of remarks
By President Bush, President Vike-Freiberga of Latvia, President Ruutel of
Estonia, and President Adamkus Of Lithuania:

Riga Latvian Society House
Riga, Latvia

2:40 P.
And it's such an honor to be standing here with the leaders of three close
allies and friends, such incredibly important symbols of what freedom can mean
to this neighborhood and to countries in the world.
Your economies are flourishing; people are allowed to express their opinions .
There are thousands of people in my country who have come from your
countries; they send best regards.)

Q Regarding what you said recently, that democratic Belarus is also in
Russia 's interest, can there be a deal between Washington and Moscow whereby
Russia would make sure that President Lukashenko is not reelected next year,
and in return, Washington would encourage, or would hail the democracy there,
but turn a blind eye on the continued Russia's influence there? Or are you
prepared to go all the way?

PRESIDENT BUSH: No, that's an interesting question, can you make a deal to
determine somebody else's fate. We don't always agree, by the way, with our friends
on our borders, but we are able to settle disputes peacefully because we are
democracies. These are extraordinary
times that we're living in, and the three Baltic countries are capable of
helping Russia and other countries in this part of the world see the benefits
of what it means to live in a free society.

Q There's also some criticism that the U.)

END 3:00 P.

baltic meaningful

Although we talk primarily of the future, we must realize that the
analysis of the past is essential for future relationships between countries. Thank you for hosting Laura and me and
my delegation here to Latvia. Tomorrow I'll be in
the cemetery in the Netherlands to pay tribute to a generation that was
willing to sacrifice for freedom and peace. I expressed that to President Putin. Freedom is etched in everybody's soul., The National Association of Chain
Drug Stores (NACDS) is pleased to announce that Kate Fry, federal legislative
assistant and political action committee administrator for NACDS, will be
representing NACDS' Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC) at the 29th Annual
National PAC Conference this week.

latvian represents

On the part of Lithuania, I have reassured the President that we are
staunch allies in a fight against terrorism.
We talked about bilateral relations , as well.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Or you have four Presidents to me -- questions to me, if
that 's what you would like. And the position of my country has been clear
about the occupation, ever since the occupation took place.C.

Q Russia has expressed some displeasure with your travel itinerary ,
stopping here --

PRESIDENT BUSH: With what, now?

Q Russia has expressed some displeasure with your travel itinerary on this
trip, stopping here in Latvia and going to Georgia --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes. Other members include more than 1000 suppliers of products and
services to the chain drug industry.

countries council

---

- - kjjkjk

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