Bush declares July 15 - 21, "Captive Nations Week", --World chuckles in unison--

Here is the official proclamation:

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Liberty is the path to lasting peace and the unalienable right of every man, woman, and child. During Captive Nations Week, we underscore our commitment to protecting human rights, advancing democracy and freedom, and ending tyranny across the globe.

Expanding freedom is a moral imperative, and today more people are free than ever before. Freedom is reaching around the world, and America is working side-by-side with new democracies in Liberia, Mauritania, Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan. The people of Kuwait held elections in which women were able to vote and run for office for the first time, and the elected parliament is exercising real influence with the government. We continue to stand firmly behind the citizens of Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq as they defend their democratic gains against extremist enemies. Many are making great sacrifices for liberty, and they deserve our steadfast support.

While there is progress in freedom's advance, nations such as Belarus, Burma, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Iran, Sudan, and Zimbabwe still oppress their citizens. My Administration recently created the Human Rights Defenders Fund to provide grants for the legal defense and medical expenses of democratic dissidents arrested or beaten by repressive governments. In addition, we have nearly doubled funding for democracy projects throughout the world. The American people believe that the flame for freedom burns in every human heart, and that light cannot be extinguished by governments, terrorists, or tyrants. During Captive Nations Week, we remember that human freedom is the key to achieving respect for all human rights.

The Congress, by Joint Resolution approved July 17, 1959 (73 Stat. 212), has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the third week in July of each year as "Captive Nations Week."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 15 through 21, 2007, as Captive Nations Week. I call upon the people of the United States to reaffirm our commitment to all those seeking liberty, justice, and self-determination.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Interesting, I guess Iraq doesn't count as a "Captive Nation", nor for that matter does Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. I also find it interesting that there is no mention of Chechnya, Palestine, Chiapas, Oaxaca, or Tibet. How about Taiwan? Hmm... I guess those didn't make the final draft of the speech. Oh, of course, Iran made the list... but not Kurdistan. What about Kashmir?

Now if your going to list Syria and Iran, what about Saudi Arabia? And if you are listing Cuba, then why not Pakistan?

Hypocrisy at its finest.

[UPDATE:A brother or sister of the struggle commented that I left out Aztlan, thank you for pointing it out and for good measure we should include all indigenous groups currently living in reservations across the world as "Captive Nations". If you can think of others please leave me a comment and we'll try to make a comprehensive list to hand to Mr. Bush.]