Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / May 18

demand freedom and independence. The It’s a great privilege to serve the Amer- people in Egypt are taking its first steps ican people, and it carries great responsibil- on the path to democratic reform. The peo- ities. You see, the actions that we take ple in the Ukraine have stood strongly for today will shape the course of events for their rights. I was in Georgia recently, the the next half-century. We’ve set big goals, site of the Rose Revolution, where people and they’re not always easy to achieve. The stood in the town square and said, ‘‘Let truth of the matter is, if they’re easy, some- us be free.’’ Freedom is on the march, and body else would have already done it. the world will be more peaceful as a result [Laughter] But we’re going to continue to of it. be the party of idealism and reform. And We have a duty for future generations. we’ll continue to lead, no matter how tough We have a duty to leave this world more the challenge. peaceful. We have a duty to reform the We’ll trust the American people. We’ll institutions that are old and tired. That’s continue to give them a clear choice. And our duty. so long as we stay true to our values and our ideas, we will do what Americans have You know, political parties can take one always done, and that is to build a better of two approaches to great problems. One world for our children and our grand- approach is simply to do nothing, to deny children. that a problem exists or delay solutions or Thanks for coming. God bless. Thank refuse to take responsibility. The political you all. parties that choose this option will not gain the trust of the American people. The other NOTE: The President spoke at 6:56 p.m. at approach is to lead, to focus on the people’s the Grand Hyatt Hotel. In his remarks, he business, and to take on the tough prob- referred to Kenneth B. Mehlman, chairman, lems. And that’s exactly what we’re doing Republican National Committee; Mercer here in Washington, DC. We’re focusing Reynolds, former Victory national finance on the people’s business, and we are taking chairman, Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign; enter- on the tough problems. And that’s why the tainers The Spinners and Ricky Skaggs; and American people have entrusted us with former President of Iraq. the leadership of this Nation at an historic He also referred to the President’s Advisory time. Panel on Federal Tax Reform.

Remarks at a Swearing-In Ceremony for John D. Negroponte as Director of National Intelligence and Michael V. Hayden as Deputy Director of National Intelligence May 18, 2005

Good afternoon. Thank you for being I want to thank Secretary of State Condi here. I am honored and pleased to con- Rice and Secretary of Defense Don gratulate on becoming Rumsfeld for joining us today. I appreciate America’s first Director of National Intel- Porter Goss, head of the Central Intel- ligence. I also congratulate General Mike ligence Agency, for joining us, Robert Hayden on becoming on our Nation’s first Mueller, Director of the FBI. principal Deputy Director of National In- I appreciate Senator , Senate telligence. President pro tem, joining us today, along

815

31 2005 13:57 Sep 09 2008 Jkt 206694 PO 00000 Frm 00815 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\94A XXX 94A May 18 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005

with Senator Jay . Thank you As John Negroponte and Mike Hayden both for being here. I want to thank Con- carry out their new duties, they’re relying gressman Peter Hoekstra, chairman of the on the thousands of dedicated professionals House Permanent Select Committee on In- working in our intelligence community. telligence, along with Congresswoman Jane These men and women serve America with Harman, ranking member. Thank you both a wide variety of talents and expertise. They for coming. all report to work everyday with the same I appreciate Chuck Robb, Cochairman goal, to protect our fellow citizens from of the WMD Commission, for joining us harm. Intelligence officers work in secret today. I want to thank members of the and often at great risk to their lives. Their intelligence community who have joined us. vigilance and bravery are vital to America’s I thank the rest of you for coming too. security. And on behalf of all Americans, [Laughter] I thank them and their families for their Ambassador Negroponte’s position is one service in the cause of freedom. of the newest in the Government and one As Director of National Intelligence, of the most demanding. Our Nation is at John is taking action to help all who serve war, and John is making sure that those in the intelligence community to do their whose duty it is to defend America have jobs more effectively. He has assembled a the information we need to make the right strong leadership team that reflects a wide decisions. He’s ensuring that our intel- range of skills and intelligence experience. ligence agencies work as a single, unified He’s visited a number of intelligence agen- enterprise. And he’s serving as my principal cies. He’s listened to experts in a variety intelligence adviser. These are vital and ur- of fields, and he’s made reforms in the gent responsibilities, and John has what it daily intelligence briefing. John recognizes takes to fulfill them all. and values the contributions of all who col- In his distinguished career, John has rep- lect and analyze intelligence. He will en- resented America in eight nations on three sure that they have access to the tools and continents. He’s served every President information their missions demand. since Dwight Eisenhower. Over the past In the days ahead, Ambassador 4 years, I’ve come to know John’s wisdom, Negroponte and General Hayden will con- intellect, and integrity. I’ve relied on his tinue the structural reforms of our intel- candid judgment to help solve complicated ligence community that began after Sep- problems. I have witnessed his unique abil- tember the 11th, 2001. We’ve now imple- ity to bring people together, most recently mented the vast majority of the 9/11 Com- in his historic achievements as Ambassador mission’s recommendations through Execu- to a free Iraq. I’m grateful to John for tive orders and the intelligence reform bill answering his Nation’s call. I thank his fam- I signed last December. ily for joining us today. My administration is also reviewing all John is fortunate to count on an experi- the recommendations made by the Silber- enced and capable deputy in General Mike man-Robb Commission on weapons of mass Hayden. General Hayden understands the destruction. We have already begun to im- intelligence community from the ground plement a number of their recommenda- up. He has a long record of wise and effec- tions. We will continue to evaluate and act tive reform. Mike also has a clear under- on the Commission’s useful blueprint to standing of our enemies in the war on ter- improve the quality and quantity of intel- ror. He’ll be a superb deputy to Ambas- ligence we collect and to be able to analyze sador Negroponte. I thank Mike for his that information more thoroughly. willingness to serve, and I’m glad to see John Negroponte will also ensure the his family as well. sharing of information among agencies and

816

31 2005 13:57 Sep 09 2008 Jkt 206694 PO 00000 Frm 00816 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\94A XXX 94A Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / May 18

establish common standards for the intel- Congratulations to both men. May God ligence community’s personnel. I have con- bless you and your families, and may God fidence in John Negroponte and Mike Hay- continue to bless our country. den to carry out these vital missions. Well- integrated, effective intelligence efforts are NOTE: The President spoke at 1:18 p.m. in America’s first line of defense against the the Courtyard at the New Executive Office threats of the 21st century. Building. In his remarks, he referred to the I thank the Congress for creating the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities Director of National Intelligence position of the United States Regarding Weapons of and for swiftly confirming two talented, Mass Destruction (Silberman-Robb Com- dedicated Americans to lead our intel- mission); and the National Commission on ligence community. I look forward to work- Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States ing with this team to improve our intel- (9/11 Commission). The transcript released ligence capabilities and to use those capa- by the Office of the Press Secretary also in- bilities to win the war on terror. cluded the remarks of Director Negroponte.

Remarks at the International Republican Institute Dinner May 18, 2005

Thank you all. Thank you. Thanks. Please of her one-liners. [Laughter] She’s actually be seated. Thank you for the warm wel- packing her bags because she’s off for Jor- come. I thank John for that introduction. dan and Israel and Egypt to continue to John McCain is a man of honor and integ- deliver the freedom message, and I can’t rity and personal courage. He’s an out- think of a better messenger. standing chairman for the International Re- I want to thank Peter Madigan and John publican Institute. He campaigned with me, Thain. I want to thank the Members of for which I was grateful, and one time he the Congress who are here tonight. I par- said, ‘‘Do you believe in free speech?’’ I ticularly want to say hello and thanks to said, ‘‘I do.’’ He said, ‘‘Why don’t you get my close friend Ambassador Jerry Bremer over to the IRI and give one, then?’’ for his fantastic work in Iraq. Thank you, [Laughter] Jerry, for your good job. It was an honor to meet your mother, I’m pleased to know that Paul Wolfowitz John—Roberta. There she is. Mrs. McCain, is with us tonight, President-elect of the it’s good to see you. If you’re anything like World Bank. I’m going to miss him as a my mother, I’m sure you’re telling John part of my administration. But I want to what to do. [Laughter] If he’s anything like tell you something: The world will be bet- me, he’s listening to you about half the ter off with Paul Wolfowitz as the head time. [Laughter] But thank you very much, of the World Bank. John. I want to thank the members of the dip- I appreciate your president, Lorne lomatic corps. Craner. He did a fantastic job in our ad- And I want to thank you for this fine ministration as Assistant Secretary of State award. I understand a little later on you’re for Democracy and Human Rights and going to give an award to a true champion Labor, and he continues to do good work. of freedom, and that is Pope John Paul I regret Laura is not with us tonight. II. Everywhere he went, Pope John Paul You probably think she’s working on some preached the call of freedom is for every

817

31 2005 13:57 Sep 09 2008 Jkt 206694 PO 00000 Frm 00817 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\94A XXX 94A