Rice stakes out the core principles of the Bush administration's democracy campaign for the Middle East :: WaPo

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Throughout the Middle East the fear of free choices can no longer justify the denial of liberty," Rice told an invitation-only audience of government officials, academics and diplomats at the American University here [Cairo], citing disturbing practices in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. "It is time to abandon the excuses that are made to avoid the hard work of democracy."
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As is her style, Rice was more forceful in the question-and-answer session in both defending U.S. policy and acknowledging shortcomings in America's past. At one point, she cited the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who she said was responsible for her having the position she holds now. He "always talked about making America true to ourselves," she said.
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