WASHINGTON, 7 November 2003 — US President George W. Bush yesterday called for the expansion of democracy in the Islamic world, while describing Islam as a religion “consistent with democratic rule” and praising Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia for taking steps toward democratic reforms.
Giving several public addresses, Bush said democracy in Iraq was the only path to “national success and dignity.” He called for democratic changes in Iran, Syria and the Palestinian territories while commending Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman and Qatar for initiating democratic reforms.
On the same day the president signed a $87.5 billion package approved by Congress for military and reconstruction operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, he also gave his first foreign policy speech before the National Endowment of Democracy, a group that champions democracy throughout the world.
“The failure of Iraqi democracy would embolden terrorists around the world,” he said.
Later, at the White House, the president addressed his congressional colleagues, thanking them for signing into effect the $87.5 billion aid package, which he called a “critical financial commitment.”
With the administration under increasing fire for its policy in Iraq, Bush used the public addresses to mount his defense against such attacks.
The president said democracy in the Middle East was not only good for America but for the world. He was also careful to distinguish between the governments in the region and Islam.
“It should be clear to all that Islam — the faith of one-fifth of humanity — is consistent with democratic rule,” said Bush. “Democratic progress is found in many predominantly Muslim countries — in Turkey and Indonesia, and Senegal and Albania, Niger and Sierra Leone. Muslim men and women are good citizens of India and South Africa, of the nations of Western Europe, and of the United States of America.”
