US President George W. Bush on Saturday said he would not relent in his effort to pursue freedom and human dignity world-wide, reaffirming a key theme from his State of the Union address. The president tied that goal to his domestic agenda and also addressed proposals to fight AIDS and limit the number of wrongful convictions in US courts.
"Our commitment to human dignity and freedom at home also leads us to spread freedom and peace around the world," Bush said.
He said his administration would also help steer youths away from gang-related activities in a bid to promote "the compassionate character of America."
In his State of the Union speech Wednesday, Bush outlined a broad agenda for the next four years that included spreading democracy in the Middle East and overhauling the politically sensitive Social Security retirement program.
On Saturday, Bush renewed his commitment to reduce the US budget deficit by half by 2009, as well. He was set to unveil his 2006 budget Monday, which he has warned will be leaner than in the previous two years.
The president also vowed to continue fighting the war on terrorism but warned that "the work ahead is not easy.
"We remain at war against the forces of terror, and we will not rest until the fight is won," he said. Highlighting the recent elections in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Palestinian territories and Ukraine, Bush also touted "freedom's gathering momentum."
"The whole world can now see that the assassins and car bombers are doomed to fail, because they are fighting the desire of the Iraqi people to live in freedom," he said.
Bush acknowledged that spreading freedom and democracy will require great effort but added that America goes "forward with confidence, knowing that (its) best days are yet to come."