)
Since those days of peaceful protest, the Slovak people have made historic
progress.)
Slovakia has taken great risks for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. On behalf of all Americans, dakujem , and may God bless you all.

humanrights persecution

We are focusing our efforts on training the Iraqi security forces. You've sent peacekeepers to Kosovo,
and election observers to Kiev.) Hundreds of
thousands of our citizens can trace their roots back to this country.M.

imprisoned believers

We knew
of his long history of pursuing, even using , weapons of mass destruction, and
we know that September the 11th requires our country to think differently .
Millions of Americans saw that pride in an Iraqi woman named Safia Taleb al-
Suhail who sat in the gallery during the State of the Union address.
To all the brave members of our Armed Forces who have taken part in this
historic mission, and to your families, I express the heartfelt thanks of the
American people.)
The terrorist insurgents know what's at stake. We want to deepen the
ties of friendship between our people, ties based on common values, a love of
freedom, and shared belief in the dignity and matchless value of every human
being.

believers voiceless

We
must, and we will, confront threats to America before they fully materialize.
Free governments reflect the culture of the citizens they serve, and that
is happening in Iraq.
As they become more self-reliant and take on greater security
responsibilities, America and its coalition partners will increasingly assume
a supporting role.
Today we're seeing hopeful signs across the broader Middle East. These are landmark events in the history of
freedom.
Chairman, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your strong leadership and
friendship. Every Slovak can be proud of these
achievements. Words
can only go so far in capturing the grief of their families and their
countrymen. But by their sacrifice , they have helped purchase a future of
freedom for millions. And as you watched jubilant
Iraqis dancing in the streets last month, holding up ink-stained fingers, you
remembered Velvet Days. Today , a new generation that never
experienced oppression is coming of age.

csw humanrights

Mr. We bring greetings and we bring the good
wishes of the American people. They want to return to the day when
Iraqis were governed by secret police and informers and fear. And one day, freedom's promise will reach every people and every nation.
I've come here to thank you for your contributions to freedom's cause, and
to tell you that the American people appreciate your courage and value your
friendship.

imprisoned csw

Now, because we acted, Iraq's government is no longer a threat to the
world or its own people. They will now draft a new
constitution for a free and democratic Iraq.)
I'm proud to stand in this great square, which has seen momentous events
in the history of Slovakia and the history of freedom . You built a
successful democracy.
(Applause.

voiceless emotionally

The
authorities succeeded in crushing that protest . The advance of freedom is
the concentrated work of generations. It took almost a decade after the Velvet
Revolution for democracy to fully take root in this country. And the
democratic revolutions that swept this region over 15 years ago are now
reaching Georgia and Ukraine. Many
of the young students and workers who led freedom's struggle here now struggle
to support families and their children . And you're teaching the world
an important lesson, as well: that the seeds of freedom do not sprout only
where they are sown; carried by mighty winds, they cross borders and oceans
and continents and take root in distant lands.

persecuted suffering

In January, over eight million Iraqis defied the car bombers and
assassins to vote in free elections.
Iraq's progress toward political freedom has opened a new phase of our
work there. In the end, Iraqis must be able to defend their own
country, and we will help that proud, new nation secure its liberty.)
From the hotel to our left, communist authorities watched thousands of
candles shining in the darkness -- and gave the order to extinguish them. Some have given their lives in
freedom's cause.

martyrs repression

We
knew of Saddam Hussein's record of aggression and support for terror. In October, that document will be
presented to the Iraqi people in a national referendum. President, Mr. Laura and I are honored, extremely
honored to visit your great country . (Applause. It is important to pass on to them
the lessons of that period.)
By your efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq and across the world, you are
teaching young Slovaks these important lessons .

believers keston

M. Mayor, distinguished guests, citizens of a free Slovakia.)
Slovaks know the horror or tyranny , so you're working to bring hope of
freedom to people who have not known it.)
We must be equally determined and also patient. They must learn that freedom is precious, and
cannot be taken for granted; that evil is real, and must be confronted; that
lasting prosperity requires freedom of speech, freedom to worship, freedom of
association; and that to secure liberty at home, it must be defended abroad .

voiceless wurmbrand

Another election is
planned for December to choose a permanent constitutional government. And then
our troops will return home with the honor they have earned. Dobry den. You're showing that a small nation, built on
a big idea, can spread liberty throughout the world. Many of you can still recall the exhilaration of voting
for the first time after decades of tyranny. Iraqis have demonstrated their courage and their determination
to live in freedom, and that has inspired the world. It is the same
determination we saw in Kiev's Independent Square, in Tbilisi's Freedom
Square, and in this square almost 17 years ago.

persecution communist

Today, Safia's nation
is free, and Saddam Hussein sits in a prison cell.

Thank you for listening. They came,
not to welcome a visiting President, but to light candles, to sing hymns, to
pray for an end to tyranny and the restoration of religious liberty .)
I know that liberty -- the road to liberty and prosperity has not always
been straight or easy.

voiceless regimes

You regained your sovereignty and independence. So they're trying desperately to undermine Iraq 's
progress and throw the country in chaos. (Applause. Slovak
immigrants helped build America and shape its character.

pray regimes

WASHINGTON, The following is a transcript of a
radio address by President Bush to the nation:

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, Iraq's Transitional National
Assembly convened for the first time. We welcome you. (Applause.
(Applause. They're putting the days of tyranny and terror behind them and
building a free and peaceful society in the heart of the Middle East, and the
world's free nations will support them in their struggle. The Iraqi people will not permit a minority of assassins to determine
the destiny of their nation.

imprisoned plight

These elected leaders broadly represent
Iraq's people and include more than 85 women. Today, women can
vote in Afghanistan , Palestinians are breaking the old patterns of violence,
and hundreds of thousands of Lebanese are rising up to demand their
sovereignty and democratic rights.

END

(Applause .) And within 20 months, the regime
that drove Slovaks from this square would itself be driven from power. For the Iraqi people, this is their 1989, and they
will always remember who stood with them in their quest for freedom. You
have proved yourself a trusted friend and a reliable ally. For some , the days of protest and
revolution are a distant memory.

spiritually tortured

(Applause.) Thank you for your hospitality . As you work to
build a free and democratic Slovakia in the heart of Europe, America stands
with you. You've brought Iraqis to Bratislava to see
firsthand how a nation moves from dictatorship to democracy. (Applause.
(Applause.

communist keston

Safia expressed the
gratitude of the Iraqi nation when she embraced the mom of Marine Corps
Sergeant Byron Norwood who was killed in the assault on Fallujah. The
victory of freedom in Iraq is strengthening a new ally in the war on terror,
and inspiring democratic reformers from Beirut to Tehran.
(Applause. And the American people are proud to call you allies and friends
and brothers in the cause of freedom. But Americans respect your patience, your courage and
your determination to secure a better future for your children. And
inevitably, the people of Belarus will someday proudly belong to the country
of democracies. (Applause.

repression oppression

Radio Address of President Bush to the Nation

I know that nothing can end the pain of the families who have
lost loved ones in this struggle, but they can know that their sacrifice has
added to America's security and the freedom of the world.
The experience of recent years has taught us an important lesson: The
survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty
in other lands. WASHINGTON , The following is a transcript of
remarks by President Bush to the citizens of Slovakia:

Hviezdoslavovo Square
Bratislava, Slovakia

12:17 P. (Applause. You established a free economy.

persecuted christians

Remarks by President Bush to the Citizens of Slovakia

(Local)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all. We thank you for
your example, for your courage and for your sacrifice.
(Applause. We honor their memory.)
In recent times, we have witnessed landmark events in the history of
liberty, a Rose Revolution in Georgia, an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, and
now, a Purple Revolution in Iraq. (Applause.

END 12:39 P.

suffering wurmbrand

Today, Iraqis can take pride in building a government
that answers to its people and honors their country's unique heritage.)
With us here today is a group of remarkable men and women from across
Central and Eastern Europe, who have fought freedom's fight in their homelands
and have earned the respect of the world. Almost 17 years ago,
thousands of Slovaks gathered peacefully in front of this theater. By
claiming your own freedom, you inspired a revolution that liberated your
nation and helped to transform a continent. And last year, the
former member of the Warsaw Pact became a member of NATO, and took its
rightful place in the European Union . (Applause. We're working with your government to make it easier for
Slovaks to travel to the United States of America.

csw moslem

On this day two years ago, we launched
Operation Iraqi Freedom to disarm a brutal regime, free its people, and defend
the world from a grave danger. Today the Iraqi people are taking charge of their own
destiny. Because of our actions, freedom is taking root in Iraq, and
the American people are more secure.) Mr. Your example is
inspiring newly-liberated people.S. They know they have no
future in a free Iraq. Eventually, the call of liberty comes to every mind and every
soul.

csw repression

Eleven
years ago, Saddam Hussein's thugs murdered her father. Only the fire of liberty can purge the ideologies of murder by
offering hope to those who yearn to live free. We lift them up in our prayers. (Applause. (Local)

wurmbrand regimes

Before coalition forces arrived, Iraq was ruled by a dictatorship that
murdered its own citizens, threatened its neighbors, and defied the world. With their votes cast and counted, the Iraqi
people now begin a great and historic journey. They will not
succeed.)
Victory in this struggle will not come easily or quickly, but we have
reason to hope.)
The Velvet Generation that fought for these values is growing older.

regimes keston

In 10 days, Moldova has the opportunity to place
its democratic credentials beyond doubt as its people head to the polls . That is why I
recently announced a new solidarity initiative for nations like Slovakia that
are standing with America in the war on terror. We will help you to improve
your military forces so we can strengthen our ability to work together in the
cause of freedom.

humanrights repression

(Applause. But with their candles and
prayers, the people of Bratislava lit a fire for freedom that day, a fire that
quickly spread across the land.
At this moment, Slovak soldiers are serving courageously alongside U.
and coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. They will from a new
government, draft a democratic constitution , and govern themselves as free
people. We will fight to defend this freedom and we will
prevail .