Rumsfeld, who praised President Bush's determination to export democracy to the Middle East, expressed his faith in the universal desire of people to enjoy the political and economic fruits of liberty and democracy. "Free people eventually get it right," the Secretary emphasized, as he described the power of mass communication and the free markets in fueling democratic movements throughout the world.

He conceded that free people have the freedom to make mistakes — even to elect undemocratic leaders.

Despite that possibility, Rumsfeld underlined his fervent belief that "bad" leadership and "bad" policies cannot survive for long once people experience the "real" liberty and freedoms of democratic citizenship.

Link to Department of Defense's Photo Essay

Link to Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

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