For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 18, 2003
Captive Nations Week, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
During Captive Nations Week, first declared in 1959 as a statement
against the continuing Communist domination of Eastern Europe, America
expresses its dedication to freedom and democracy. While many
countries around the world uphold these principles, millions of people
still live under regimes that violate their citizens' rights daily. In
countries such as Burma and Iran, citizens lack the right to choose
their government, speak out against oppres-sion, and practice their
religion freely. The despot who rules Cuba imprisons political
opponents and crushes peaceful opposition, while in North Korea
hundreds of thousands languish in prison camps and citizens suffer from
malnutrition as the regime pursues weapons of mass destruction.
Violence, corruption, and mismanagement reign in Zimbabwe and an
authori-tarian government in Belarus smothers political dissent.
Yet the cause of freedom is advancing. With the demise of the
brutal regime of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi people are no longer
captives in their own country. Their freedom is evidence of the fall
of one of the most oppressive dictators in history. Today, American
and coalition forces are helping to restore civil order and provide
critical humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people. Iraqis are now meeting
openly and freely to discuss the future of their country. The United
States vows to continue to work with those trying to bring about
peaceful democratic change and greater respect for human rights.
The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959, (73
Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a
proclamation designating the third week in July of each year as
"Captive Nations Week."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim July 20 through July 26, 2003, as
Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to
observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to
reaffirm their commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and
self-determination.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day
of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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