June 12 / Administration of George Bush, 1991 President Bush. I think that’s a better, and his administration merits the full, all- more fair way to handle it so others can out support of the United States. be there. That’s the way we like to do it, And it is not his government that is keep- too. ing peace from coming to his country that But I commend you on what you’re doing had open and free certified elections, many in that and many other cases there, too— more times than one. And it is the opposi- many other moves towards true and open tion; it is people who think they can use democracy. Let there be no—this adminis- the gun to get what they should be willing tration for this President, strong. to fight for at the ballot box. Q. Happy birthday. And so, I’m proud to have President President Bush. It’s been a good one so Cristiani at my side. Today we’ve got lots far. to talk about, so you guys are almost history Q. Will you call on me at your next news here—[laughter]—but thank you for com- conference, sir? I was kinder and gentler ing. And I don’t take questions in the Oval this time. Office, as I’m sure most of you know. And President Bush. You were. I noticed that. I think the President will be having a press We’re got to have one soon, provided you conference tomorrow some time. But I throw me a slow ball, softball. wanted to violate a rule that I have of not [At this point, another group of journalists making comments because I feel so strongly entered the room.] about the need to support the President President Bush. May I say to the journal- and the steps he’s taking there. ists—I want to repeat what I said in front Thank you all, and I hope you feel wel- of the last wave, which is that we strongly come here in the States. support this President and what he is doing Q. Thank you. Happy birthday again. carrying his country inexorably down the President Bush. Oh, thanks. I thought I’d democratic path. And let there be no doubt hate it, but so far it’s been very good. about it, he has the full support of this administration. He’s taken on tough prob- Note: President Bush spoke at 11:07 a.m. lems, handled them with dispatch. Some in the Oval Office at the White House. A tough problems remain, but there is no tape was not available for verification of the question in my mind that this President content of these remarks. Remarks Following Discussions With President Alfredo Cristiani Buckard of El Salvador and an Exchange With Reporters June 12, 1991 President Bush. Mr. President, with your true. Through trying circumstances, El Sal- permission, let me just say that I was de- vador holds fast to its democratic traditions. lighted to spend time talking and working And seven times in 10 years, your coura- today with a close friend of the United geous countrymen have voted in free and States, President Cristiani of El Salvador. fair elections, proving to the world that, And in greeting one of your predecessors, in Lincoln’s words, ‘‘the ballot is stronger Dwight Eisenhower declared that: ‘‘Friends than the bullet.’’ and countries are not measured by the ex- Mr. President, time and again you and tent of territory or the size of their popu- the people of El Salvador have proved your lation. They are measured by their dedica- doubters to be wrong. Political rights have tion to their friends, to common values, flourished despite hardship and despite war. priceless values that free men possess above And your people enjoy freedom of speech even life itself.’’ like never before. Exiles who once feared Thirty years later, those words still ring for their lives have returned, come back 640 VerDate May 04 2004 08:07 Jul 20, 2004 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00652 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\91PAP1\91PAP1.012 APPS10 PsN: 91PAP1 Administration of George Bush, 1991 / June 12 home to campaign for office and build par- table and stay there until a cease-fire is ties. reached. You also have begun to lay liberty’s cor- Mr. President, difficult steps lie ahead. nerstone, the rule of law. And you’ve But the world understands your commit- strengthened the judicial system. You’ve ex- ment to peace, and democracy. The United panded civilian authority over the police States and the international community and military and you’ve committed yourself fully support your efforts for peace, and to dramatic reductions in armed forces. And we will support sound peace accords in your you’ve strengthened protections for human brave land. rights. We both serve at a time when freedom Soon, the trial of those accused in the and democracy are sweeping the globe. 1989 Jesuit murders will begin, and we Here in the Americas we are building some- know that you will press to see justice done thing unprecedented in human history—the in the case of this despicable crime. world’s first completely democratic hemi- But as newly-freed people around the sphere. And under your leadership, El Sal- globe are learning, political freedom is con- vador has taken a place in that democratic nected to economic freedom. And here, too, community, and within your borders hope your nation has taken dramatic strides. flourishes. People have gotten into the spirit When you freed exchange rates, wiped out of national reconciliation and they now tol- price controls, and clamped down on gov- erate opposing views and they support ernment spending, your farmers, your work- democratic institutions, and they have dedi- ers, your investors responded with a burst cated themselves to preserving human of creativity and growth. Inflation fell last rights. These ingredients cannot help but year, and exports rose by 17 percent. And produce peace. And when they do, your in spite of guerrilla attacks on economic people will remember that your leadership targets, your economy grew faster than it made peace possible. has since 1978, up 3.4 percent. Mr. President, I salute you, sir, for your This progress cannot continue indefinitely courage and your leadership. You have my unless peace finally comes to El Salvador. full confidence and support, the full con- Fortunately, you have led your people to- fidence and support of our entire adminis- ward peace and reconciliation. You ex- tration. And Godspeed you, and God bless tended the hand of forgiveness in your In- your work on the road to peace for El Sal- augural Address, and you told your country vador. We are delighted you came here, that time for negotiations had come and sir. you offered to negotiate without pre- All yours. condition. Throughout your country and the President Cristiani. Mr. President, first world, people of goodwill agree that time of all, I would like to not only thank your for peace has come. kind words that you have just expressed, And now the FMLN guerrillas must show and I certainly receive them not personally, in word and deed that they want peace but in the name of all Salvadorans. and its natural counterpart, democracy. The As you have expressed, the people of El guerrillas agreed to negotiate a cease-fire Salvador have undergone quite a task. for September of 1989. They showed no Hardship has been the name of the game eagerness at all to meet that deadline. And in El Salvador for the past 10, 12 years. then they promised the foreign ministers And the Salvadorans have always shown in of the European Commission a cease-fire general that they want peace, that they want by May 30th. But they were not truly com- democracy, and they want freedom. And mitted to that deadline either. And the kill- the freedom of those who want their rights ing and destruction, regrettably, continues. respected is also something that is cherished So, the world must ask: How many more by all Salvadorans. Salvadorans must die before the guerrillas And let me just say that the appreciation understand that Salvadorans want peace of the people of El Salvador because they and freedom, not violence and war? I urge have found that in this quest for peace, the guerrillas to return to the negotiating freedom, and democracy, that we have 641 VerDate May 04 2004 08:07 Jul 20, 2004 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00653 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\91PAP1\91PAP1.012 APPS10 PsN: 91PAP1 June 12 / Administration of George Bush, 1991 found a true partner in the United States. the difficulties that you just went by with And certainly under your leadership, Mr. your health are certainly over and gone President, this has been increased to levels with. And we hope that you can certainly where we cannot but be grateful forever. say—we can certainly say happy birthday We believe that it has been with the sup- for many, many years more. port of the United States and other friendly Thank you very much, Mr. President. nations that El Salvador has been able to President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you overcome the hardships, and that, because so much. of this support, it certainly motivates us to Address on Democratic Policy continue to work even harder to achieve what we all want to see in El Salvador, Q. Mr. President, are you going to bash a truly peaceful society living and pro- the Democrats tonight? gressing as any other country in the world President Bush.