Bill Clinton

“ As we observe this Captive Nations Week, let us once again reaffirm our profound commitment to freedom and universal human rights. Let us continue to promote tolerance, justice, and equality and to speak out for those who have no voice. Let us rededicate ourselves to the growth of democracy and the rule of law; and let us resolve that in the next century we will foster the further expansion of the rights and freedoms with which Americans have been blessed for so long. ”

“ This month Americans mark 223 years of freedom from tyranny. We celebrate the vision of our founders who, in signing the Declaration of Independence, proclaimed the importance of liberty, the value of human dignity, and the need for a new form of government dedicated to the will of the people. As heirs to that legacy and the fortunate citizens of a democratic Nation, we continue to cherish the values of freedom and equality. Many people across the globe, however, are still denied the rights we exercise daily and too often take for granted. ”

“ Thanks to our strength and resolve and the courage of countless men and women in countries around the world, we can be proud that the list of captive nations has grown smaller. The fall of the Berlin Wall a decade ago finally enabled us to pursue democratic reform in Central and Eastern Europe and to lay the firm foundations of freedom, peace, and prosperity. And in countries around the world, from South Africa to South Korea to South America, democracy is flourishing, and citizens enjoy the liberty to seek their own destiny. ”