remarks

CELEBRATING OUR SHARED LEGACY

Remarks before University Guests INFO USA
Brno, February 27, 2007

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.  Thank you for taking time to be with us today as we celebrate almost two years of successful operations at this joint Czech-American facility.  (Indicate Director)  I want to especially acknowledge the extraordinary help of Dr. Jaromir Kubi�?ek and his staff for the work they have done.  Without their help, this American Corner in the heart of Brno would not have been possible. 

This facility represents for us yet another concrete symbol of the close ties between our countries.  It is a tangible symbol of our shared goals -- of the improvement of life through the exchange of ideas.  In a small but very real way, it reflects our aspirations for a better, safer world.  Through our partnership, we will continue to explore the breadth of our two remarkable cultures and to build upon our already strong relationship.

This occasion today also presents for us an important opportunity to reflect on where we have been together, and where we are going. 

There has been a lot of media coverage recently about what lies ahead in U.S. – Czech relations.  Specifically, the Visa Waiver Program and defense cooperation have been in the headlines.  I would also like to discuss the continuing effort to encourage transparency in our two countries.

It is evident that our bilateral relationship is a unique one, forged by years of mutual struggle against the corrosive influence of Communism; against the spread of totalitarian regimes around the world; and in support of human rights. 

Today the Czech Republic can justly claim to be a beacon of hope and freedom to those people around the world still laboring under unrepresentative and autocratic systems.

We must recognize the important and continuing efforts of the Czech government and non-profit organizations to effect change in human rights in places like Cuba and Belarus.  This country, given its history, is uniquely able to play a significant and increasingly important role in this area.

Together, our countries have taken steps to make the dream of a better world more realizable, for more people.  Today we acknowledge our debt of gratitude -- from the American people -- to the Czech people -- for the efforts made by Czech men and women bravely serving in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. 

We have offered a future defense to your country and to Europe from the threat of ballistic missiles from the Middle East. A succession of Czech governments expressed interest in hosting a facility.  As you know, we recently made an offer to place a radar facility in the Czech Republic as a part of a missile defense shield for Europe. 

While we hope such threats are remote, we have to be realistic:  We live in a dangerous world – one where unstable countries are seeking to acquire the ability to threaten peace and stability of both their neighbors and countries that are continents away.

Any missile defense facility would remain the sovereign territory of the Czech Republic with U.S. forces serving there under a more detailed version of the NATO status of forces agreement. U.S. personnel would be required to respect local laws.  Environmental protection would be key part of the design and operation of the facility.

We are at the very beginning of the negotiation process. The final decision on a negotiated agreement will be entirely up to the Czech Republic. I personally hope that your country will make this bold contribution to improving European and transatlantic security while at the same time deepening the working relationship of our militaries and our countries.

In keeping with our desire to tighten a number of aspects of global security,  President Bush recently announced his desire to reform our existing visa laws to permit citizens from countries such as the Czech Republic to travel to the United States without a visa.  The President hopes to shift the focus of the law from solely regulating immigration to strengthening border security.   The additional focus on security would, hopefully, permit the current 3% refusal rate requirement to be relaxed.

Any changes to the visa law require action by the U.S. Congress.  If Congress changes the law as the President has proposed, I believe the Czech Republic would be among the first new countries to qualify.  While approval by Congress is far from certain, there has been progress.

 I believe these changes would accomplish two goals:  First, we would address in our country the very serious concerns about security.  And second, we would respond to the equally serious concerns of our allies, including the Czech Republic, regarding our visa requirements. 

I also mentioned the issue of transparency. Transparency is an important hallmark of a strong democracy – it creates trust in government; it creates level playing fields for investors and business; it strengthens a nation’s economy and, in the process, creates opportunities.

As someone who has been involved in business affairs for more than 25 years, I can say that nothing fosters and grows a positive business climate like openness and transparency.  Likewise, nothing stymies creativity, the expansion of ideas, and efficiency like unclear business procedures and regulations.  Both of our countries have experienced problems in this area in the very recent past. 

In the Czech Republic we have seen positive trends develop that make doing business here simpler, and more attractive.  Two examples include changes to the corporate registry, which makes it easier and faster to open and operate a business in the Czech Republic; and a new bankruptcy law which allows businesses to reorganize under court protection.

While these are positive signs, certainly more must be done.  Nagging concerns about transparency and corruption threaten future investment here and, eventually, threaten the continued strength of the economy in our increasingly competitive and global economy.  We in the U.S. face similar challenges.  I believe that we cannot ignore the problem.  Our work in making business and government more open and accountable is never really done.  But together we can make positive strides.

I have heard that change in the Czech Republic in the fight to curb corruption isn’t possible due the nature or history of the Czech people. 

Yet, when we shine the light of history on this notion, it crumbles before us --  especially in a country that produced such moral giants as Jan Hus, T. G. Masaryk and Vaclav Havel.

Add to that artists such as Karel Kryl and Marta Kubišová  -- the very essence of honesty, truth and integrity – and the notion falls of its own weight.

As like minded democracies, we have significant responsibilities and, at the same time, tremendous opportunities.  I am grateful for the chance, in some small way, to help strengthen a lasting partnership between our countries.  The stronger our bond becomes, the better off we all will be; the safer we all we all will be; the more prosperous we all will be.

Thank you.