William McGurn Assistant to the President for Speechwriting

President George W. Bush announced that he has named William McGurn Assistant to the President for Speechwriting.

"Bill McGurn is an accomplished writer, with extensive experience in foreign affairs and economic policy. He will make an excellent addition to my speechwriting team," stated President Bush.

Mr. McGurn previously served as an executive in the Office of the Chairman at News Corporation. Prior to that, he was the chief editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal and a member of its editorial board. From 1992 to 1998, Mr. McGurn was a senior editor for the Dow Jones-owned Far Eastern Economic Review in Hong Kong. Earlier in his career, he served as the Washington bureau chief for National Review. Mr. McGurn is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Boston University. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary February 9, 2005 Personnel Announcement

Solidarity Initiative Partners in Freedom $400 million

President Bush Announces Solidarity Initiative to Support our Partners in Freedom

The President intends to ask Congress to support $400 million in additional funding to strengthen the capabilities of our partners to advance democracy and stability around the world. These funds, which the Administration will seek in the supplemental budget request, reflect the principle that an investment in a partner in freedom today will help ensure that America will stand united with stronger partners in the future. This assistance will support nations that have deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other partners promoting freedom around the world.

As President Bush has said, "the best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world." Our closest partners agree. For many of these partners, now vibrant democracies and staunch allies, the tragedy of tyranny is a painful chapter in their own recent histories. They understand the value of freedom, and are delivering on their strong commitment to fostering democracy at home by helping to advance freedom and stability abroad.

Today, the President met with one of our strongest partners in freedom, President Aleksander Kwasniewski of Poland. The Solidarity Initiative will assist nations such as Poland, which have taken political and economic risks in order to act on their convictions, to develop and sustain the capabilities needed to do so.

Congress has consistently supported our partners in freedom in the past. We urge continued Congressional support for these partners in the future. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary February 9, 2005 Statement by the Press Secretary