Text: Bush Proclamation on World Freedom Day, November 9

Says Afghani people suffer because of Taliban's oppression





President Bush, in a World Freedom Day Proclamation November 9, said


more than 2,000 million people still live under authoritarian regimes.





"From Burma to Cuba, Belarus to Zimbabwe, citizens of many countries


suffer under repressive governments. Our thoughts today especially


turn to the people of Afghanistan. These men, women, and children


suffer at the hands of the repressive Taliban regime, which, as we


know, aids and abets terrorists," he said.





Following is the proclamation:





(begin text)





THE WHITE HOUSE


Office of the Press Secretary


November 9, 2001





WORLD FREEDOM DAY, 2001





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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA





A PROCLAMATION





During the Cold War, freedom and authoritarianism clashed. Countries


and entire regions suffered under repressive ideologies that sought to


trample human dignity. Today, freedom is again threatened. Like the


fascists and totalitarians before them, Al Qaida, the Taliban regime


that supports them, and other terrorist groups across the world seek


to impose their radical views through threats and violence.





The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, stands as the turning


point of the Cold War and a significant landmark in freedom's victory


over tyranny. The Wall stood as a grim symbol of the separation of


free people and those living under dictatorships. We honor the spirit


and perseverance of those who strived for freedom in East Germany and


under other repressive regimes. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall,


many countries have achieved freedom via the ballot box, through


political pressure rising from their citizens, or as a result of the


settlement of internal or regional conflicts. We celebrate the new


freedom in which much of the world lives today.





On World Freedom Day, we also recognize that more than 2 billion


people still live under authoritarian regimes. From Burma to Cuba,


Belarus to Zimbabwe, citizens of many countries suffer under


repressive governments. Our thoughts today especially turn to the


people of Afghanistan. These men, women, and children suffer at the


hands of the repressive Taliban regime, which, as we know, aids and


abets terrorists.





In every oppressive nation, pro-democracy activists are working to


stoke the fires of freedom, often at great personal risk. As we mark


November 9, World Freedom Day, I encourage Americans to support those


who seek to lead their people out of oppression.





On World Freedom Day, we also honor those who, at this moment, fight


for freedom half a world away. On September 11, freedom was attacked,


but liberty and justice will prevail. Like the fall of the Berlin Wall


and the defeat of totalitarianism in Central and Eastern Europe,


freedom will triumph in this war against terrorism.





NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of


America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution


and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 9, 2001, as


World Freedom Day. I call upon the people of the United States to


observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to


reaffirm their devotion to the aspirations of all people for freedom


and democracy.





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of


November, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the


Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and


twenty-sixth.





GEORGE W. BUSH





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