"Freedom Fighter"

Thousands gather in Freedom Square to hear President George W. Bush speak in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, May 10, 2005. "When Georgians gathered here 16 years ago, this square had a different name. Under Lenin's steely gaze, thousands of Georgians prayed and sang, and demanded their independence, said President Bush. White House photo by Paul Morse

From AP:

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) - President Bush, before a cheering crowd of tens of thousands of people, said Tuesday that the former Soviet republic of Georgia is proving to the world that determined people can rise up and claim their freedom from oppressive rulers.

"Your courage is inspiring democratic reformers and sending a message that echoes across the world: Freedom will be the future of every nation and every people on Earth," Bush said in speech from the Freedom Square that symbolizes the city's democratic pursuits.

"You gathered here armed with nothing but roses and the power of your convictions and you claimed your liberty. And because you acted, Georgia is today both sovereign and free and a beacon of liberty for this region and the world."

In a line that appeared directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bush declined to support the bid of two separatist regions aligned with Moscow to gain independence from Georgia. "The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia must be respected ... by all nations," Bush said.

Bush spoke to a massive crowd that filled the square - known as Lenin Square during Soviet rule - and spilled out into the roads that feed into the plaza. The buildings around the square were freshly painted for Bush's visit, the first from a U.S. president, and hundreds of people dressed in red, white and blue stood in a human formation of the U.S. flag, with another group forming the red and white Georgian flag.

...Estimates of the crowd size in Georgia varied wildly, from less than 100,000 to more than 300,000. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said it was by far the largest gathering in the country since its independence, and it was certainly one of the largest Bush has ever addressed.

Saakashvili, who led the Rose Revolution in 2003 that overthrew a corrupt government, praised Bush as "a leader who has contributed as much to the cause of freedom as any man of our time. ... We welcome a freedom fighter."

"You stood with us during our revolution and you stand with us today," Saakashvili said. "On behalf of my nation I would like to say, 'Thank you.'"

...military campaigns against terrorists in the Pankisi Gorge and the recent abductions of foreigners presented security challenges that required Bush to deliver his open-air speech from a podium surrounded by a high wall of a clear bulletproof screen with sharpshooters on rooftops surrounding the square.

But the safety concerns were outweighed by Bush's desire to lend support to this ex-Soviet satellite and hold it up as a success story in his pursuit of spreading democracy.

"You are making many important contributions to freedom's cause, but your most important contribution is your example," Bush said. "In recent months, the world has marveled at the hopeful changes taking place from Baghdad to Beirut to Bishkek. But before there was a Purple Revolution in Iraq or an Orange Revolution in Ukraine or a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, there was the Rose Revolution in Georgia.

"Now across the Caucasus, in central Asia and the broader Middle East we see the same desire of liberty burning in the hearts of young people," Bush said. "They are demanding their freedom, and they will have it."

...While Bush has faced large protests during his visits to other foreign nations, the crowd in Freedom Square was overwhelmingly enthusiastic to host the U.S. leader. The people waited hours in the heat to hear him speak.

Nino Gabriashvili, a mother of four daughters, said she was inspired by Bush's call for all nations to respect Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. "That means something coming from the American president - the Russians will have to listen," she said.

After Bush spoke, the U.S. national anthem was played. When a recording of Georgia's national anthem malfunctioned, Saakashvili motioned to choirs in the crowd. The singers soon were joined by others in the audience and the anthem was sung a cappella. Bush smiled at the touching recovery, then waved to the crowd and headed to the airport for his flight back to Washington.
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At personal risk, given the recent unrest in the region, President Bush chose to address the sea of citizens, commending their courage and determination.

Crowd size estimates vary, but without question, it was the largest gathering in the country since its independence.

Bush was given a hero's reception, possibly because he broke with Vladimir Putin to support Georgia's Rose Revolution. More likely, tens of thousands waited for hours and broke through security barricades to hear Bush speak because the American President is the embodiment of democracy, the symbol of freedom.

The citizens of Georgia realize how precious freedom is, having been oppressed for so long. This massive out-pouring of respect for President Bush validates his policy of standing with all those willing to stand against tyranny and demand liberty.
To the people of a FREE Georgia:

"We are living in historic times when freedom is advancing, from the Black Sea to the Caspian, and to the Persian Gulf and beyond. As you watch free people gathering in squares like this across the world, waving their nations' flags and demanding their God-given rights, you can take pride in this fact: They have been inspired by your example and they take hope in your success.

As you build freedom in this country, you must know that the seeds of liberty you are planting in Georgian soil are flowering across the globe. I have come here to thank you for your courage. The American people value your friendship, and admire your determination. On behalf of all Americans, thank you, God bless you. Sakartvelos gaumarjos."

--George W. Bush, Freedom Square, Tbilisi, Georgia, May 10, 2005