Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you again to this House of the Americas. Nine months ago, when you first honored us with your visit, we were preparing to attend the Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec to reaffirm our commitment to democracy, to free markets, and to the development of human potential, free of fear and discrimination.

On September 11, when the General Assembly was meeting in Lima, Peru, to adopt the Democratic Charter, the United States came under terrorist attack. As our countries were working to create a better future, the enemies of democracy, of freedom, of life, were massacring thousands of people in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Their evil triggered a response without precedent in human history.

In only a few months your leadership has brought our democracies from a dark time of fear, pain, and anger, to one of strength, hope, and determination. We know that the war against those who want to destroy us will be long and hard, but we also know that free people must fight to remain free. You can be sure that the Organization of American States will do its part.

Mr. President, since September 11, every act of the people of the region may be seen as an act of reconstruction, of defiance, and of defense of those values that bring us together, like democracy, human rights, the love of peace and of life. And each of these acts is a triumph over evil, over those who want this century to be the first of a new period of darkness and fanatism.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish you success in your deliberations. This conference about the Future of the Americas is a reaffirmation of your faith in the boundless possibilities of our region. Your conclusions and insights will contribute to enrich our understanding of our times, of our weaknesses and strengths, and will help us steer a safer course towards a better future.

I have now the honor of introducing the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush.



Thank you.