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Fact Sheet: Advancing the Freedom Agenda
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 24, 2008

Fact Sheet: Advancing the Freedom Agenda President Bush Discusses Freedom
Agenda, Lays Out Plans To Ensure That America Continues To Offer Hope To
Those Languishing In Tyranny

ÿÿWhite House News
ÿÿEn Espa¤ol

ÿÿÿÿÿ President Bush Discusses Freedom Agenda

Today, President Bush observed Captive Nations Week and discussed the
progress of his Freedom Agenda while calling on future Presidents and
Congresses to continue leading the cause of freedom worldwide. ÿDifferent
Presidents, from different eras and parties, have acted to defend and
advance the cause of liberty.ÿ Because we were steadfast in liberty's
defense, the cause of freedom has prevailed, and we will prevail again.ÿ It
is in our interest to continue liberty's advance _ because we know from
history that the advance of freedom is necessary for our security and
peace.ÿ

Leading The Cause Of Freedom Requires Combating Hopelessness In Struggling
Nations

To protect America, we must defeat the ideology of hatred by spreading the
hope of freedom.ÿ Over the past seven years, this is exactly what the
Administration has done. Recently, the President issued National Security
Presidential Directive 58: Institutionalizing the Freedom Agenda to offer a
guidepost to future Administrations, codifying many of the policies and
practices he has put in place to promote freedom worldwide. ÿThe challenge
for America in the years ahead is to continue to help people in struggling
nations achieve freedom from corruption, disease, poverty, hunger, and
tyranny. ÿIn the years ahead, America must continue to:

1. Use our foreign assistance to promote democracy and good government.ÿ
Over the past seven years, we have more than doubled the Federal budget for
democracy, governance, and human rights programs. We have increased the
budget for the National Endowment for Democracy by more than 150 percent
since 2001.ÿ
  þ President Bush has transformed the way we deliver aid by creating the
    Millennium hallenge Account, which offers support to developing nations
    that fight corruption, govern justly, open up their economies, and
    invest in the health and education of their people.ÿ
  þ Increased aid alone will not help nations overcome institutional
    challenges that hold entire societies back.ÿ To be effective, our aid
    must be targeted to encourage the development of free and accountable
    institutions.ÿ America's generosity must remain tied to the promotion
    of transparency, accountability, and prosperity.ÿ

2. Promote free trade and open investment.ÿ Over the past seven years, we
expanded the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which is spreading
prosperity by dramatically increasing trade between the United States and
Africa.ÿ We have implemented free trade agreements with 11 countries. ÿ
  þ We are also striving to complete an ambitious Doha trade agreement,
    which will open up new markets for American goods and services and help
    alleviate poverty around the world.ÿAmerica must reject the false
    temptation of protectionism, and remain open to the world.

3. Lead the fight against disease.ÿ We are working in 15 African nations to
cut the number of malaria-related deaths in half.ÿ The President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is supporting treatment for more
than 1.7 million people. ÿCongress will soon pass legislation to
significantly expand this vital initiative.ÿ
  þ We are expanding our efforts to train health workers for the poorest
    countries, and to treat key neglected tropical diseases such as river
    blindness and hookworm.ÿ America must continue this commitment, so we
    can lift the shadow of malaria and HIV/AIDS once and for all.ÿ

4. Lead the fight against global hunger.ÿ Americans are answering the call
to feed the hungry.ÿ This year, the United States has provided more than
$1.8 billion in new funds to bolster global food security.ÿ We are the
world's largest provider of food aid, but we must transform the way that
our food aid is delivered.ÿ One innovative proposal is to purchase up to 25
percent of our food assistance directly from farmers in the developing
world.ÿ
  þ This assistance would help build up local agriculture and help break
    the cycle of famine.ÿ President Bush calls on Congress to approve this
    measure as soon as possible.ÿ America must find other innovative ways
    to alleviate hunger while promoting greater self-reliance in developing
    nations.

5. Lead the cause of human rights.ÿ Over the past seven years, we have
spoken out against human rights abuses by tyrannical regimes like those in
Iran, Sudan, Syria, and Zimbabwe.ÿ We also have spoken candidly about human
rights with nations with whom America has good relations, such as Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, and China.ÿ In keeping with this commitment, today President
Bush renewed his call for the release of all prisoners of conscience around
the world _ including Ayman Nour of Egypt, Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma, Oscar
Biscet of Cuba, and Riad Seif of Syria.ÿ
  þ To ensure our government continues to speak out for those who have no
    other voice, President Bush recently issued a directive instructing all
    senior U.S. officials serving in undemocratic countries to maintain
    regular contact with political dissidents and democracy activists.ÿ
    America must always stands with those seeking freedom _ and never
    hesitate to shine the light of conscience on abuses of human rights
    across the world.
  þ Today, President Bush met with several individuals who have suffered
    terribly in the cause of freedom _ and who inspire our country with
    their resolve and resilience.ÿ The President's message for all those
    throughout the world who still languish in tyranny is that they are not
    alone.ÿ America hears them.ÿ Millions of American citizens stand with
    them and hope still lives _ even in bleak places and in dark moments.ÿÿ
    ÿ

The Best Way To Defeat The Terrorists Is To Offer A Hopeful Alternative
Based On Human Liberty

We have seen a hopeful beginning for the cause of liberty at the start of
the 21st century.ÿ Over the last seven years, we have seen citizens in
Afghanistan and Iraq emerge from tyranny to establish representative
governments.ÿ We have seen citizens in Georgia and Ukraine stand up for
their right to free and fair elections.ÿ We have seen people in Lebanon
take to the streets to demand their independence.ÿ We have seen strides
toward democracy taken by nations such as Kuwait, Liberia, Mauritania,
Morocco, and Pakistan.ÿ

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