President Bush Announced in Remarks Thursday That the United States
would pursue a "forward strategy of freedom" to promote democracy
throughout the Middle East.
Promoting democracy and freedom in the Middle East will be a
massive and difficult undertaking, but it is worthy of America's effort
and sacrifice.
As long as freedom and democracy do not flourish in the Middle
East, that region will remain stagnant, resentful, and violent -- and
will serve as an exporter of violence and terror to free nations.
Democracy and Islam can coexist. Millions of Muslims from Turkey
to Indonesia to Niger have proven that Islam and democracy are fully
compatible.
The advance of freedom will increase chances for peace and
security for Americans as well as for the people of the Middle East.
The U.S. is pursuing a policy of promoting freedom and human
dignity in every part of the world. We pursue this policy both because
it is right and because it also addresses the fear, hatred, and
inequality that contribute to terrorism and violence.
The President's policy is based on values that uphold human rights
through democracy and the rule of law.
We are committed to pursuing freedom and promoting democracy and
human rights, through both words and deeds, as a member of the
international community.