In Prague, President Bush addressed the Democracy and Security International Conference
The conference agenda is designed to explore the proposition that there exists a direct linkage between the promotion of democracy and the strengthening of security.
The conference was "attended by leading dissidents, human rights activists, academics and world leaders."
"In today's world of confrontation, there is no better weapon than the promotion of democracy," stated [political leader Natan Sharansky, founding chairman of the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies]. "We have every reason to believe that this can succeed because all people, without exception, want to be free. The people who can best convey this important message are the democratic dissidents themselves and that is why this conference is so unique. This conference gives those responsible for policy-making an important opportunity for direct dialogue with the dissidents themselves."
In addressing the attendees, President Bush said, in part
Tomorrow I attend the G-8 Summit, where I will meet with the leaders of the world's most powerful economies. This afternoon, I stand with men and women who represent an even greater power -- the power of human conscience.
In this room are dissidents and democratic activists from 17 countries on five continents. You follow different traditions, you practice different faiths, and you face different challenges. But you are united by an unwavering conviction: that freedom is the non-negotiable right of every man, woman, and child, and that the path to lasting peace in our world is liberty....
The most powerful weapon in the struggle against extremism is not bullets or bombs -- it is the universal appeal of freedom. Freedom is the design of our Maker, and the longing of every soul. Freedom is the best way to unleash the creativity and economic potential of a nation. Freedom is the only ordering of a society that leads to justice. And human freedom is the only way to achieve human rights.
Expanding freedom is more than a moral imperative -- it is the only realistic way to protect our people in the long run. Years ago, Andrei Sakharov warned that a country that does not respect the rights of its own people will not respond to the rights of its neighbors. History proves him right. Governments accountable to their people do not attack each other. Democracies address problems through the political process, instead of blaming outside scapegoats. Young people who can disagree openly with their leaders are less likely to adopt violent ideologies. And nations that commit to freedom for their people will not support extremists -- they will join in defeating them.
For all these reasons, the United States is committed to the advance of freedom and democracy as the great alternatives to repression and radicalism. (Applause.) And we have a historic objective in view. In my second inaugural address, I pledged America to the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. Some have said that qualifies me as a "dissident president." If standing for liberty in the world makes me a dissident, I wear that title with pride. (Applause.)
In addition to Islamic extremism, Bush named Communism as an enemy of Freedom
The communists had an imperial ideology that claimed to know the directions of history. But in the end, it was overpowered by ordinary people who wanted to live their lives, and worship their God, and speak the truth to their children. The communists had the harsh rule of Brezhnev, and Honecker, and Ceausescu. But in the end, it was no match for the vision of Walesa and Havel, the defiance of Sakharov and Sharansky, the resolve of Reagan and Thatcher, and fearless witness of John Paul. From this experience, a clear lesson has emerged: Freedom can be resisted, and freedom can be delayed, but freedom cannot be denied.
Meanwhile, outside the G-8 summit, Communists who act very much like terrorists, "protest".
Eight police officers were injured as they clashed with protesters who were trying to stop the beginning of the G8 summit which kicked off today in Germany. The protesters were all anti-capitalist and made a huge demonstration with over 10,000 strong all standing as one.
``There's a high level of violence at the fence, lots of stone throwing,'' police spokesman Manfred Luetjann said by telephone, adding that both entrances had been closed as ``several thousand'' protesters approached. Police deployed tear gas and water cannon to try and disperse the crowds, he said.
These are not dissidents for economic freedom, and without economic freedom, you don't have freedom at all.
