I am pleased to send my greetings to the people of Iran and to welcome the opening of the new 'Farda' radio. The United States has been broadcasting news and cultural programs to Iranians for years through Radio Free Europe. However, the people of Iran tell us that they need more programming because the few unelected individuals who control the Iranian government have imposed severe restrictions on the dissemination of uncensored information. For this reason, we are making our informational programs available to more and more Iranians and will broadcast news, music, and cultural programs for Iran 24 hours a day. We are also pleased to inform you that the Persian programs of Voice of America will continue. The people of Iran want to build a freer and wealthier country for their children and to live in a country that is a full member of the global community. Iranians also deserve to have a free press so they can build a free, open, and democratic society. I think of the people of Iran and pray for them, especially for the many families who have been imprisoned for expressing their opinions and hope for a better future. We stand with the people of Iran in their struggle for freedom, prosperity, and the rule of law. We continue to urge the Iranian government to be accountable to the will of the people and to respect it. As I have said before, if Iran moves towards respecting its international commitments and towards a future characterized by greater freedom and tolerance, it will have no better friend than the United States. With best wishes for a bright future filled with knowledge, awareness, and freedom.
President Bush's Message on the Opening of the New Persian Radio 'Farda' December 20, 2002
President Bush welcomed the opening of the new Persian radio station 'Farda' and emphasized the need for more uncensored information for the Iranian people. He expressed support for their desire for freedom and democracy, urging the Iranian government to respect the will of its citizens. This message highlights the U.S. commitment to supporting democratic movements in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
President Bush welcomed the launch of Radio Farda, emphasizing the need for more uncensored information for the Iranian people. He expressed U.S. support for Iranians' aspirations for freedom and democracy.
- Radio Farda will broadcast 24 hours a day, providing news, music, and cultural programs.
- Bush urged the Iranian government to respect the will of its citizens and move towards greater freedom.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a history of government censorship and repression of dissent, making independent media crucial for public awareness and democracy.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%