Nov. 20 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005

equal partners is important for the stability Q. A very quick followup, if I may. of this region and the world. The President. Thank you all very much. In other words, my point to you is, is that we’ve got a very vibrant relationship. I don’t know what I sounded like during my discussion. As you know, I don’t spend NOTE: The President spoke at 6:12 p.m. at a lot of time analyzing myself and, obvi- the St. Regis Hotel. In his remarks, he re- ously, you do. But—— ferred to Ying Dufeng, pastor, Gangwashi Q. We have a lot of time on our hands, Protestant Church; President Hu Jintao and Mr. President. [Laughter] Premier Wen Jiabao of China; the Dalai The President. Yes, you do. [Laughter] Lama Tenin Gyatso of Tibet; senior Al Qaida But I am pleased that I am in a position associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; Ayman Al- to be able to explain to President Hu, as Zawahiri, founder of the Egyptian Islamic clearly as I can, my concerns and my ap- Jihad and senior Al Qaida associate; Luis preciation for different aspects of our rela- Palau, founder, Luis Palau Association; and tionship. Chairman Kim Chong-il of North Korea.

Remarks in , November 21, 2005

Amar bain uu? Thanks for the warm wel- their convictions, they drove the communist come. And, Mr. President, thank you for leadership from power. Within months, free your hospitality. I thank you, the Prime elections were held, and a free Mongolia Minister, and the Government for such gra- was born. And today, one of the young cious hospitality. I want to thank the First hunger strikers who stood vigil outside the Lady for being so kind to Laura. It is really, building now serves as the Prime Minister really an honor to be here in your great of your great nation. country. And we bring with us the good Mongolia has made the transition from wishes of the American people. communism to freedom, and in just 15 I’m here on an important international years, you’ve established a vibrant democ- mission. Secretary Rumsfeld asked me to racy and opened up your economy. You’re check on his horse. [Laughter] I feel very an example of success for this region and much at home here in your country. This for the world. I know the transition to lib- is a beautiful land with huge skies and vast erty has not always been easy, and Ameri- horizons, kind of like Texas. I thank you cans admire your patience and your deter- for the invitation. I’m honored to be the mination. By your daily efforts, you’re first sitting American President to visit building a better life for your children and Mongolia, and America is proud to call you your grandchildren. And I’ve come to tell the third neighbor. you, as you build a free society in the heart Fifteen years ago, Mongolians gathered of central Asia, the American people stand outside this great hall by the thousands, with you. braving subzero temperatures and defying Earlier this year, when a terrible hurri- a repressive regime to demand their liberty. cane struck my Nation’s gulf coast, the The protesters included students and work- Mongolian people stood with us. Even be- ers and monks and a group of young demo- fore the flood waters had fully receded, crats on a hunger strike. By the force of your Government pledged aid, and a group

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of business leaders in Mongolia raised addi- and chose their leaders in free elections. tional money. These funds are helping to Last month, they returned to the polls and rebuild shattered lives in my country. In approved a democratic constitution for a a time of tragedy for America, Mongolia free Iraq. And in a few weeks time, Iraqis showed her compassionate heart, and my will vote once again to choose a fully con- country thanks you for your support and stitutional government to lead them for the friendship. next 4 years. With their ballots, the Iraqi Americans and Mongolians have much in people are sending a clear message: There common. Both our nations were settled by will be no return to the days of tyranny pioneers on horseback who tamed the rug- and terror; the future of Iraq belongs to ged plains. Both our nations shook the yoke freedom. of colonial rule and built successful free Many of you can still recall the exhilara- societies. And both our nations know that tion of voting freely for the first time after our responsibilities in freedom’s cause do decades of tyranny. You know the satisfac- not end at our borders and that survival tion of seeing leaders you chose take office of liberty in our own lands increasingly de- and of seeing them leave office if you de- pends on the success of liberty in other cide to replace them. You know the feeling lands. of living under a constitution that guaran- This conviction has inspired the Mongo- tees personal liberties like free speech, free lian people to share the hope of freedom assembly, and equality before the law. And with others who have not known it. Mongo- now, because of the courage of Mongolian lian officers have served in missions to keep and coalition forces, the people of Iraq the peace in Western Sahara and the know this feeling as well. Congo. Your forces are serving alongside U.S. and coalition forces helping to train In Iraq, the advance of freedom is op- the armed forces of a free Afghanistan. And posed by determined adversaries, the fol- in September, Mongolia sent its fifth rota- lowers of a murderous ideology, who ex- tion of forces to Iraq, and Mongolian sol- ploit the religion of Islam to serve a violent diers are serving in that country with cour- political vision. They kill the innocent in age and great distinction. pursuit of a totalitarian empire that denies Two Mongolian soldiers named Sergeants all political and religious freedom. Like the Azzaya and Sambuu-Yondon are here with ideology of communism, the ideology of Is- us today. In Iraq, they risked their lives lamic radicalism is led by a self-appointed to stop a suicide bomber who was trying vanguard that presumes to speak for the to drive a truck full of explosives into a masses. Like the ideology of communism, coalition mess tent. As the truck hurtled Islamic radicalism teaches the innocent can towards them, they opened fire, killing the be murdered to serve their brutal aims. terrorist and saving countless lives. As Like the ideology of communism, Islamic Commander in Chief of the radicalism is dismissive of free peoples, Armed Forces, I thank these brave Mongo- claiming that men and women who live lian soldiers and all who have served on in liberty are weak and decadent. And like the frontlines of the war on terror. The the ideology of communism, the ideology Mongolian Armed Forces are serving the of Islamic radicalism is destined to fall be- cause of freedom, and the United States cause the will to power is no match for Armed Forces are proud to serve beside the universal desire to live in liberty. such fearless warriors. Free people did not falter in the cold In Iraq, Mongolian forces have helped war, and free people will not falter in the make possible a stunning transformation. war on terror. We see the determination Earlier this year, Iraqis went to the polls to live in freedom in the courage of Iraqi

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and Afghan citizens who defied the terror- has established to assist countries that gov- ists to cast their ballots. We see it in the ern justly, invest in their people, and pro- bravery of ordinary Lebanese who waved mote economic freedom. My administration cedar flags and drove an occupying power is committed to working with your country from their borders. And we’ve seen it in to complete a Millennium Challenge com- the daily courage of the Mongolian people pact as soon as possible and to help the who claimed their freedom 15 years ago Mongolian people continue on the path of and are now standing with others across reform. the world to help them do the same. Next year, your country will celebrate the As you help others secure the blessings 800th anniversary of the founding of Mon- of liberty, you continue the work of build- golia. There’s a legend of a Mongolian ing a free society here at home, and as woman who gave each of her five sons an you travel this path, the United States walks arrow. She told each to break the arrow with you. Earlier this year, I announced in his hand, which they did. She then tied a new Solidarity Initiative to provide finan- the five arrows together, and told each to cial assistance to nations like Mongolia that try and break the bundle. None could do are standing with America in the war on it. And she told them, brothers who stand terror. Mongolia will receive $11 million alone like single arrow shafts can be broken under this initiative, critical funds to help by anyone, but brothers who stand together you improve your military forces so we can like a bundle of arrows cannot be broken. continue working together for the cause of Today, Mongolia and the United States are peace and freedom. standing together as brothers in the cause Mongolia has undertaken political and of freedom. And if free nations remain economic reforms. You have now held nu- united, no force of tyranny or terror will merous free elections and two peaceful break us. transitions of power from one party to an- I’ve come here to thank you for your other, which is a sign of a successful de- contributions to freedom’s cause and to tell mocracy. This year, Mongolia ratified the you that the American people appreciate Convention against Corrup- your courage and value your friendship. tion, and I urge your Parliament to pass And on behalf of all Americans, ikh the anticorruption legislation needed to im- bayarlalaa. And may God bless your won- plement that treaty. After decades of cen- derful country. Thank you very much. tralization, you privatized more than 80 percent of Mongolia’s state enterprises, and the Mongolian economy grew at a rate of NOTE: The President spoke at 2:13 p.m. in more than 10 percent last year. the Conference Hall at the Government In recognition of your progress, Mongolia House. In his remarks, he referred to Presi- has been named a country eligible for as- dent Nambaryn Enkhbayar and his wife, sistance under the Millennium Challenge Onongiin Tsolmon, and Prime Minister Account, a new program the United States Tsakhia Elbegdorj of Mongolia.

Joint Statement Between Mongolia and the United States of America November 21, 2005

President George W. Bush and President longstanding friendship between the United Nambaryn Enkhbayar today reaffirmed the

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