WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is atranscript of remarks by the President in honor of the 60th annualcelebration of Voice Of America:
Voice of America
Cohen Building
Washington, D.C.
2:16 P.M EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much for that warm welcome. I'mglad I came. (Laughter.) Bob, I want to thank you very much for yourhospitality, and I want to thank you very much for your willingnessto take the reins of the Voice of America in such a critical time.
I also want to thank all the supporters who are here, those whosupport the Voice of America. And I'm glad to see so many friends ofinternational broadcasting, the Voice of America staff, the membersof the Broadcasting Board of Governors, former Voice of Americadirectors, former U.S. Information Agency directors, staff anddirectors from Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty,Radio Marti. (Applause.) You all are dedicated professionals whoserve your country and its highest ideals with honor and withpurpose.
I also want to thank Marc Nathanson, who's the chairman of BBG.Deserves a special thanks for his endowment of the Nathanson Fellows,between the Voice of America and the Annenberg School of Journalism.(Applause.)
Sixty years ago, only 79 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor,the first Voice of America broadcast across the Atlantic into NaziGermany, with these words: Here speaks a voice from America. Weshall tell you the truth.
For decades, the Voice of America has told the world the truthabout America and our policies. Through a world war and a cold war,in crisis and in calm, the Voice of America has added to the momentumof freedom. And now, in a new conflict, I'm proud to say that theVoice of America still speaks strongly and clearly.
To people whose governments broadcast messages of bigotry andhate, the Voice of America sends a message of tolerance and respect.To people who are told that democracy is soft and weak, the Voice ofAmerica shows freedom's strength and determination. To people wholive under governments that sustain their power with lies, the Voiceof America brings truth.
Under some regimes, like that in North Korea, simply listening tothe Voice of America is treated as a crime. And the fears of theseregimes are well-founded, because tyranny cannot survive forever inan atmosphere of truth. The Voice of America is not neutral betweenAmerica and America's enemies, between terrorism and those who defendthemselves against terror, between freedom and between tyranny. TheVoice of America is a broadcaster with a special purpose, a specialmandate and a special trust.
As President Reagan said, freedom is not the sole prerogative of alucky few, but the inalienable and universal right of all humanbeings. The Voice of America spreads that message throughout theworld, with special emphasis on those countries where information isrestricted and free voices are silenced.
The Voice of America broadcasts in 53 languages, to nearly everycountry on Earth, reaching an audience of over 90 million listeners.Many are listening right now, exercising their God-given right tofreedom, free access of information. And their numbers are growingevery day. The Voice of America's new Middle East Radio Network willoffer music, reliable news, and information in Arabic, and anopportunity to better understand American principles and Americanactions.
And I want to thank Norm Pattiz for his perseverance anddedication to this project. Even before our Armed Forces helpedbring freedom to the Afghan people, the Voice of America was bringingthem the news in languages of Dari and Pashtu. Since September the11th, Voice of America has increased its programming in these twolanguages, serving as a vital partner in helping rebuild thatcountry.
Throughout its history, Voice of America has applied the power oftechnology to the advance of liberty. It has used every meanspossible -- shortwave, television, and now the Internet -- to bypassthe barriers of tyrants.
Radio waves are not hindered by borders, and as technologyimproves, the Internet will become less vulnerable to the censor'shand. No one knows what new information technologies will beavailable 60 years from now. But two things we do know: first, thatthe Voice of America will find a way to use them; and second, thoughthese means of delivery may change, the message never will.
It's a simple message. It's a message of freedom, and freedom isworth defending. (Applause.) And the truth, no less than the forceof arms, is needed for its defense.
Since 1942, you have defended freedom by speaking the truth tomillions. (Applause.) You not only have the ear of the world, youhave the gratitude of your country.
May God bless your efforts, and may God bless America. (Applause.)
END 2:24 P.M. EST
KEYWORDS:
WHITE HOUSE, TRANSCRIPTS
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