Bush: Nation to Keep Countering Terror, Promoting Democracy

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2005 – The United States will be "unrelenting" in seeking out terrorists while continuing to help spread democracy, President Bush reaffirmed here today.

"I have an obligation as your president to remind people about the realities of the world we live in," Bush told members of the National Association of Realtors. "There are still people out there who would like to inflict harm on our people. We will be unrelenting in trying to find those who would harm our people and bring them to justice."

Bush said the country will also "be unrelenting in our desire to spread freedom, because America understands that free societies are peaceful societies."

Just returned from a trip to Europe commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory there during World War II, Bush said it's important not to forget the lessons learned there.

"When we see tyranny, we must resist and free people from tyranny," he said.

Nations that were at war are now free and at peace "because of the spread of democracy," he said. "Democracies are able to live peacefully side by side."

Similarly, the spread of democracy today in the greater Middle East "will yield a more peaceful world for our children and our grandchildren," Bush said.

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service