FOR THE RECORD: Letter from Bush to Kuchma (04/25/04)

FOR THE RECORD: Letter from Bush to Kuchma

On March 30, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv delivered the following letter from President George W. Bush to President Leonid Kuchma, expressing the admiration of the American people for the courageous and indispensable role Ukraine has played to free the people of Iraq and Afghanistan and create a safer world. President Bush sent similar letters marking the anniversary of the start of the campaign to liberate Iraq to more than 40 heads of state. The Embassy noted that during his visit to Ukraine on March 25-26, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage delivered a separate letter from President Bush to President Kuchma.

Dear Mr. President:

As we mark the anniversary of the start of the campaign to liberate Iraq, I would like to express on behalf of the American people our admiration for the courageous and indispensable role Ukraine has played to free the people of Iraq and Afghanistan and create a safer world.

As leaders, we have been called to uphold the universal truth that human life is precious and that man's natural call is to live in freedom. For peace and freedom to flourish, we must have the courage to confront those who would enslave us by terror and fear. We must also strive to advance the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

History will judge us well for giving the people in Iraq and Afghanistan the opportunity to shape their destinies. The world we live in is still dangerous, but we have made it safer through our resolve to combat terror and repression, replacing it with freedom and hope.

Sincerely,
George W. Bush

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