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.
As a result, you've been readily accepted into NATO, and now the EU. And I want to thank you for your
contributions in Iraq and Afghanistan. As you can imagine, one
topic that came up with all three leaders was visa policy. And we look
forward to working with you on the way forward to reasonable and fair visa
policy. Which ranking would the
relations of Estonia have in American foreign policy today, and also in the
future? Thank you.
The report also includes analysis of foreign and CIS oil and gas assets
acquisition, strategies of the companies, number-one difficulties to get over
while executing companies' ambitious plans.

culture european

We also talked about our relationship with Russia in our discussions.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: It's kind of dangerous -- as you know, I 'm a little long-
winded.
Your economies are flourishing; people are allowed to express their opinions . We had a really good discussion today about Belarus.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Or you have four Presidents to me -- questions to me, if
that's what you would like.
No, we don't make secret deals.

russia specific

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. President.
I also want to thank you for your hard work in helping democracy spread in
the neighborhood. Solidarity Fund -- my request to the Congress for the U. I talked about the
way forward to make sure our visa policy works well with our friends and
allies. 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. And the position of my country has been clear
about the occupation, ever since the occupation took place.
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 . is behind the revolutionary
change in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.
(Laughter. (Applause.

For more information visit
http://www.com/reports/c16206

Laura Wood
Senior Manager
Research and Markets
press@researchandmarkets.

ethnic minorities

On the part of Lithuania, I have reassured the President that we are
staunch allies in a fight against terrorism . Thank you for your
attention.
(Laughter.)

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: Thank you for that statement, Mr. They should be allowed to express
themselves in free and open and fair elections in Belarus. We have an obligation as
free societies never to forget that history, and to do something about the
possibility of that arising again.

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

com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040820/RESEARCH )
Russian oil and gas companies are stepping out their efforts to become
transnational corporations.

estonian tendencies

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. Thank you, Mr.
It has already been a year since we have become members of NATO and the
European Union. Today 's meeting once again reaffirms the deep friendship and
the strong relationship between our countries . Thank you for hosting Laura and me and
my delegation here to Latvia. So we'll start with a
question to President Adamkus.

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: There's a question out there. And, look, I
fully understand there's a lot of anger and frustration involved in the three
Baltic countries about the occupation. We've got good friends here. 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.

- YUKOS's Affair and Its Implication On Projects of Expansion.

baltic russia

M.
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., and
the statement was clear: we never recognized, nor accepted the occupation that
did take place.

- Exotic Projects.

greek cyprus

PRESIDENT ADAMKUS: Mr. 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: President Ruutel. The will and desire with
which the United States has supported the endeavors of our people have proven
to be very fruitful. Estonia is very satisfied with
the progress made in Ukraine and Georgia, and is prepared to continue
supporting their endeavors. 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 . And so we -- we're proud
to be here with you all, fellow members of NATO. Solidarity
Fund, to help these nations who have deployed troops to be able to better
afford those deployments.

THE PRESIDENT: Say that again.M.

ethnic romani

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. The only deal that I think is a necessary deal
for people is the deal of freedom. Did you talk about the possibility of
asking Mr. 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. The regions of their expansion broaden out from Latin America and
Southeast Asia and up to Europe.

society ethnic

Although we talk primarily of the future, we must realize that the
analysis of the past is essential for future relationships between countries. But thank you, Madam President .

Q My question goes to 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 we have a great opportunity to move beyond the past.
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. You know, it's amazing how far this continent has come because of
the freedom movement .

Research and Markets: Russian Oil and Gas Companies Stepping Up Efforts to Become Transnational Corporations

The research goes at large into the following questions:

- Why Are Russian Companies So Interested in Assets Acquisition
Outside Russia? What are the interests of private and state companies in
expanding into other countries? What are perspectives of the Russian
government agencies and governments of other countries on increasing presence
of Russian companies abroad?

- Strategies of Domestic Companies' Expansion outside Russia.

native particularism

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.
We are celebrating the passing of 60 years from the end of the second world
war, and the defeat of Nazism. First, we have President Bush,
who would like to make a statement.
Q Yes -- from Lithuanian Television .)

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.

Q A question from the Estonian side. No --
(laughter .
And so, I am inspired by the example of the Baltic nations.
Jennifer. Freedom is etched in everybody's soul.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c16206 ) has announced the addition
of Foreign and CIS Expansion of the Russian Oil and Gas Companies to their
offering.

middle tendencies

(Laughter. 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.
Now, if you'd like to do something -- (laughter. Today, during negotiations, you talked
about the relationship with Russia. I'm inspired
by your courage of the past and your determination to move forward in a free
society.

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.S.
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.

com
Fax: +353 1 4100 980

culture strong

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. We reassure you that Estonia is willing to share its experiences
with these countries that are going towards these goals. The hospitality has been tremendous, and we
really thank you.
I want to congratulate our friends and allies who stand here with me on
the progress you've made in the past decade. 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.
We talked about bilateral relations, as well. And I say to you, thank for being such good
friends and colleagues, and thank you for your hospitality again, Madam
President. We're used to that in
America. Start over.
The example of the Baltics is so vital for countries who are emerging from
tyrannies to -- and oppressive governments to free societies . 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. Democracies don't fight each other, and democracies are good
neighbors. DUBLIN, Ireland, Research and Markets
(http://www. What
implication has recent oil + gas assets repartition process had on plans of
Russian concerns to maintain their presence in other countries?

- Most Promising Vectors of Expansion of Russian companies. The report forecasts possible success and
fails of Russian companies expanding into other companies outside Russia in a
medium-term perspective.

minorities estonian

Our people are working together in
the transatlantic sphere and throughout the world.

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: Questions? No. And the American people will never forget
the occupation and communist oppression of the people of the Baltics. We
talked about the Ukraine and Georgia and Moldova. 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. Actually, I have a question to
President Bush. (Laughter.

Q I have a question to Mr.

Q For Estonia, it's very important to have good relations with the United
States , and right now the relation has been very good.

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. A question from the Latvian
side. Bush.

romani middle

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 . And I would especially like to
emphasize the United States' role, who never recognized the occupation of the
Baltic states. 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.S. These are peaceful,
prosperous nations that are good neighbors with Russia, and good neighbors
with each other and good neighbors elsewhere, as well. 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 . is inappropriately meddling in the neighborhood?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Oh, no, I thank you for that.

latvian greek

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. And the
world is better off because of the hard decisions your governments have made.
There are thousands of people in my country who have come from your
countries; they send best regards. It's really
important. 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. Russia's corporations
enlarge their presence in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific Region . Who buys assets in Latin America and Africa?

- Possibilities and Risks.

romani ethnicity

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. These three nations have also
recognized that those of who are free have a responsibility to help others be
free outside of our neighborhoods. To this end, I discussed my request for
the U. We've got democracies on our border. And it's a blessing to have
democracies on our border. President Bush, but it's in Estonia language.
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. Never again should we let -- shall we tolerate
tyranny and subjugating people to incredible death. What do you say to talk that the
U.
Revolution -- I think you said the word, "revolution" -- freedom is
universal.
(Logo: http://www.

german ethnicity

The efforts of the United States and the Baltics allow us here in Riga
today to celebrate the victory of freedom. In other words, the over-stays during occupation must be
viewed differently now that the three countries have been freed.S. West and
Eastern Siberia, CIS and Baltic States, America.

baltic lithuanian

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

tendencies native

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

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 . President.

PRESIDENT BUSH: All right, I need the English translation. 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 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. It shows how
much life has changed as a result of people embracing an ideology that
encourages peace.newscom. They are not only becoming a powerful
presence on the world market to be considered with but also they are playing
an important role as the country's foreign policy makers.researchandmarkets.

peoples strong

I'm getting kind of old and I'm having
trouble hearing.)

END 3:00 P. The process of assets acquisition is in full
swing.

cultural russia

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, I thought that might be the case.

PRESIDENT BUSH: My position on that issue is very clear, and has been
clear, about the occupation.
May God bless your countries, and may God continue to bless mine. Thank
you very much.

baltic strong

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.) I think maybe company from
across the ocean should be given a chance to make a statement, as well. We proudly flew
the flags of independent nations above your embassies in Washington, D. 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.

middle european

With this, I pass the floor to the President of Lithuania,
President Valdas Adamkus.
I want to thank those soldiers from Estonia and the United States who are
now fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.
One objective of my trip is to honor the memories of those who sacrificed
60 years ago in the struggle against Nazism and fascism.S.) But now we're standing here talking about other parts of the world
taking for granted that Europe is whole, free, and at peace. Which
ways and regions Russian companies choose when expanding abroad? The report
names leaders and players, which run neck and neck with them.

society native

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 touched on issues concerning directly the relationship
between Baltic states, and of course, on the global issues . We
recognize your painful history. We talked about Russia and
the relationship between the Baltics and Russia.) 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. And, therefore, if you're a free society that embraces market
economies, you'll rank very high with me and the United States.

PRESIDENT VIKE-FREIBERGA: Thank you very much. Do you expect anything to come of it? Thank you.C. I expressed that to President Putin. And as I travel around the world I like
to touch base with our friends.

I repeat to you that I think countries ought to feel comfortable with
having democracies on their borders.
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 .

finland strong

(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 do have a limited time at our disposal, and I understand that the
framework is to be one question to each President.
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.