For Immediate Release
September 17, 2004

Global Message

From remarks by President Bush, 9/15/04

The United States mourns the loss of life in Russia as a result of the recent school terrorist attack.

President Bush has told President Putin that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in fighting terror, that we abhor those who kill innocent children in an attempt to achieve a dark vision.

But, as governments fight the enemies of democracy, they must uphold the principles of democracy.

President Bush is concerned about the decisions that are being made in Russia that could undermine democracy there.

Great countries and great democracies have a balance of power within central governments between the executive branch and the legislative branch and the judicial branch.