Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Nov. 23

the honor of this award. May God bless NOTE: The President spoke at 3:47 p.m. at . . In his remarks, he referred to President Ion Iliescu and Prime Minister Adrian Nastase of Romania.

Remarks to the People of Romania in November 23, 2002

Salut! Thank you all. Thank you, Mr. The path of freedom you’ve chosen is President. Thank you for being out here not easy, but it’s the only path worth tak- in the rain. Thank you for such a warm ing. I know that your hardship did not end welcome. Laura and I are honored to be with your oppression. America respects in this great country. As we started speak- your labor, your patience, your daily deter- ing, a rainbow appeared. God is smiling mination to find a better life. Your effort on us today. has been recognized by an offer to NATO I’m proud to stand in this great square membership. We welcome Romania into and to bring the good wishes of the Amer- NATO. ican people. Today we reaffirm the friend- NATO’s invitation to join was also a vote ship between your country and mine. I’m of confidence that you will continue the honored to carry a message to the people hard work of political, economic, and mili- of Romania: We proudly invite you to join tary reform. And as you do, you will have NATO, the great alliance of freedom. partners in all the nations of NATO. The All around us are reminders of Romania’s promises of our Alliance are sacred, and history and the culture we share. Close by we will keep our pledges to all the nations is a church, three centuries old, a symbol that join us. Should any danger threaten of the faith that overcomes all oppression. Romania—should any nation threaten Ro- In this square we see monuments of Roma- mania, the United States of America and nian patriots who lost their lives in liberty— NATO will be by your side. As a NATO for the liberty of your nation. And here, Ally, you can have this confidence: No one in December of 1989, you broke the si- will be able to take away the freedom of lence of your captivity. From that balcony, your country. the dictator heard your voices and faltered NATO membership will make Romania and fled. Two generations of bitter tyranny more secure, and Romania will add to the ended, and all the world witnessed the strength of the NATO Alliance as we face courage of Romania, the courage that set unprecedented new dangers. Already, our you free. troops are serving side by side in Afghani- Since those days of liberation, Romania stan. Already, Romania has joined the glob- has made an historic journey. Instead of al coalition against terror. And we thank hatred, you have chosen tolerance. Instead you very much. of destructive rivalry with your neighbors, The world has suffered enough from fa- you have chosen reconciliation. Instead of natics who seek to impose their will state control, you have chosen free markets through fear and murder. The NATO Alli- and rule of law. And instead of dictatorship, ance and the civilized world are confronting you have built a proud and working democ- the new enemies of freedom, and we will racy. prevail.

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Your country also brings moral clarity to Europe. America and Romania are friends our NATO Alliance. You value freedom be- to the Russian people, and so is the NATO cause you have lived without it. You know Alliance. the difference between good and evil be- Mr. President, citizens of Romania, cause you have seen evil’s face. The people Laura and my visit to your beautiful coun- of Romania understand that aggressive dic- try has been short, but the friendship and tators cannot be appeased or ignored; they soon the Alliance between our countries must always be opposed. will endure. An aggressive dictator now rules in Iraq. On this historic square, among the By his search for terrible weapons, by his monuments to Romania’s greatness, there’s ties to terror groups, by his development also a building left in ruins, the former of prohibited ballistic missiles, the dictator offices of the secret police. It is a fitting of Iraq threatens the security of every free reminder of all the cruelties done there nation, including the free nations of Eu- and the justice that rose up against oppres- rope. The United Nations Security Council sion. That grim monument also recalls the and now NATO have spoken with one many brave who did not live voice: The Iraqi regime will completely dis- to see this day. Our prayers are for them arm itself of weapons of mass murder, or and their families. Yet, today, their hopes we, the United States, will lead a coalition are being fulfilled. The nation they love of willing nations and disarm that regime is rising. Romania has won its freedom. Ro- in the name of peace. mania is resolute in difficulty and moving Every nation must confront danger. toward greater prosperity. And Romania is Every free nation has a responsibility to finding its place in the greatest—history’s play its full and responsible role. And to- greatest alliance for freedom. gether, Mr. President, we will preserve our I have come to tell you that the world freedoms, and we will work together to and my country knows the character of the keep the peace. people of this great country. We respect In the peaceful future we’re building, your country. We love the fact that you Romania will strengthen our lives in an- love freedom. May God bless you and your other way, as a bridge to a new Russia. families. May God bless Romania. And may For centuries, Romania’s geography was a God bless America. Thank you all. source of danger. Now, you can help our Alliance to extend a hand of cooperation across the Black Sea. Russia has nothing NOTE: The President spoke at 4:35 p.m. at to fear from the growth of NATO, because the Piata Revolutiei. In his remarks, he re- Russia needs peaceful, stable neighbors like ferred to President Ion Iliescu of Romania, Romania. As I told President Putin yester- who introduced the President; President day, a Russia that is fully part of Europe Vladimir Putin of Russia; and President Sad- needs no buffer zone separating it from dam Hussein of Iraq.

Statement on the West Coast Ports Agreement November 24, 2002

‘‘I am very pleased that labor and man- ment is good for workers, good for employ- agement have reached an agreement con- ers, and it’s good for America’s economy. cerning the West Coast ports. This agree- I congratulate labor and management for

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