By Brian Johnson - 21st January 2005
In his second inaugural address, President George W Bush has pledged to continue the robust foreign policy that dominated his first four years in office, and bring an end to global tyranny.
Accepting the most powerful job on earth as his “most solemn duty”, the 43rd president outlined in sweeping rhetoric that his second term would concentrate on promoting freedom and democracy around the world.
“It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world”.
Delivering his address from the west steps of the Capitol, Bush began by reaffirming his belief that the United States had a duty to protect and defend democracy, and to continue the war on terror.
“For half a century America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders…then came a day of fire”.
The president acknowledged America’s vulnerability after the 9/11 attacks, and that the source of that vulnerability was tyranny.
“For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny…violence will gather and multiply”.
“There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment…and that is the force of human freedom”.
In an address dominated by US ambitions abroad, Bush offered an olive branch to America’s allies still unhappy over US unilateralism and the war in Iraq.
“All the allies of the United States can know: we honour your friendship, we rely on your counsel, and we depend on your help”.
Notably, Bush did not refer directly to the war in Iraq, but in a speech littered with the words ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’; he clearly intended the address to reverberate among the “rulers of outlaw regimes” such as North Korea and Iran.
Invoking the words of Abraham Lincoln, the president warned, “those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and…cannot long retain it”.
And the president sought to reassure the world that America would not impose its own version of democracy.
“America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling. Our goal instead is to help find their own voice, attain their own freedom, and make their own way”.
And he hinted that America’s self imposed mission to end world tyranny would not automatically lead to armed confrontation.
“This is not primarily the task of arms”.
But the president sought to reassure supporters and allies of his determination.
“All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for liberty, we will stand with you”.
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