THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Secretary General, Madam President,
distinguished delegates, and ladies and gentlemen: I want to thank you
for the privilege of speaking to this General Assembly.
Last week, America and the world marked the fifth anniversary of the
attacks that filled another September morning with death and suffering.
On that terrible day, extremists killed nearly 3,000 innocent people,
including citizens of dozens of nations represented right here in this
chamber. Since then, the enemies of humanity have continued their
campaign of murder. Al Qaeda and those inspired by its extremist
ideology have attacked more than two dozen nations. And recently a
different group of extremists deliberately provoked a terrible conflict
in Lebanon. At the start of the 21st century, it is clear that the world
is engaged in a great ideological struggle, between extremists who use
terror as a weapon to create fear, and moderate people who work for
peace.
Five years ago, I stood at this podium and called on the community of
nations to defend civilization and build a more hopeful future. This is
still the great challenge of our time; it is the calling of our
generation. This morning, I want to speak about the more hopeful world
that is within our reach, a world beyond terror, where ordinary men and
women are free to determine their own destiny, where the voices of
moderation are empowered, and where the extremists are marginalized by
the peaceful majority. This world can be ours if we seek it and if we
work together.
The principles of this world beyond terror can be found in the very
first sentence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This
document declares that the "equal and inalienable rights of all members
of the human family is the foundation of freedom and justice and peace
in the world." One of the authors of this document was a Lebanese
diplomat named Charles Malik, who would go on to become President of
this Assembly. Mr. Malik insisted that these principles apply equally to
all people, of all regions, of all religions, including the men and
women of the Arab world that was his home.
In the nearly six decades since that document was approved, we have
seen the forces of freedom and moderation transform entire continents.
Sixty years after a terrible war, Europe is now whole, free, and at
peace -- and Asia has seen freedom progress and hundreds of millions of
people lifted out of desperate poverty. The words of the Universal
Declaration are as true today as they were when they were written. As
liberty flourishes, nations grow in tolerance and hope and peace. And
we're seeing that bright future begin to take root in the broader Middle
East.
Some of the changes in the Middle East have been dramatic, and we see
the results in this chamber. Five years ago, Afghanistan was ruled by
the brutal Taliban regime, and its seat in this body was contested. Now
this seat is held by the freely elected government of Afghanistan, which
is represented today by President Karzai. Five years ago, Iraq's seat in
this body was held by a dictator who killed his citizens, invaded his
neighbors, and showed his contempt for the world by defying more than a
dozen U.N. Security Council resolutions. Now Iraq's seat is held by a
democratic government that embodies the aspirations of the Iraq people,
who's represented today by President Talabani. With these changes, more
than 50 million people have been given a voice in this chamber for the
first time in decades.
Some of the changes in the Middle East are happening gradually, but
they are real. Algeria has held its first competitive presidential
election, and the military remained neutral. The United Arab Emirates
recently announced that half of the seats in its Federal National
Council will be chosen by elections. Kuwait held elections in which
women were allowed to vote and run for office for the first time.
Citizens have voted in municipal elections in Saudi Arabia, in
parliamentary elections in Jordan and Bahrain, and in multiparty
presidential elections in Yemen and Egypt. These are important steps,
and the governments should continue to move forward with other reforms
that show they trust their people. Every nation that travels the road to
freedom moves at a different pace, and the democracies they build will
reflect their own culture and traditions. But the destination is the
same: A free society where people live at peace with each other and at
peace with the world.
Some have argued that the democratic changes we're seeing in the
Middle East are destabilizing the region. This argument rests on a false
assumption, that the Middle East was stable to begin with. The reality
is that the stability we thought we saw in the Middle East was a mirage.
For decades, millions of men and women in the region have been trapped
in oppression and hopelessness. And these conditions left a generation
disillusioned, and made this region a breeding ground for extremism.
Imagine what it's like to be a young person living in a country that
is not moving toward reform. You're 21 years old, and while your peers
in other parts of the world are casting their ballots for the first
time, you are powerless to change the course of your government. While
your peers in other parts of the world have received educations that
prepare them for the opportunities of a global economy, you have been
fed propaganda and conspiracy theories that blame others for your
country's shortcomings. And everywhere you turn, you hear extremists who
tell you that you can escape your misery and regain your dignity through
violence and terror and martyrdom. For many across the broader Middle
East, this is the dismal choice presented every day.
Every civilized nation, including those in the Muslim world, must
support those in the region who are offering a more hopeful alternative.
We know that when people have a voice in their future, they are less
likely to blow themselves up in suicide attacks. We know that when
leaders are accountable to their people, they are more likely to seek
national greatness in the achievements of their citizens, rather than in
terror and conquest. So we must stand with democratic leaders and
moderate reformers across the broader Middle East. We must give them
voice to the hopes of decent men and women who want for their children
the same things we want for ours. We must seek stability through a free
and just Middle East where the extremists are marginalized by millions
of citizens in control of their own destinies.
Today, I'd like to speak directly to the people across the broader
Middle East: My country desires peace. Extremists in your midst spread
propaganda claiming that the West is engaged in a war against Islam.
This propaganda is false, and its purpose is to confuse you and justify
acts of terror. We respect Islam, but we will protect our people from
those who pervert Islam to sow death and destruction. Our goal is to
help you build a more tolerant and hopeful society that honors people of
all faiths and promote the peace.
To the people of Iraq: Nearly 12 million of you braved the car
bombers and assassins last December to vote in free elections. The world
saw you hold up purple ink-stained fingers, and your courage filled us
with admiration. You've stood firm in the face of horrendous acts of
terror and sectarian violence -- and we will not abandon you in your
struggle to build a free nation. America and our coalition partners will
continue to stand with the democratic government you elected. We will
continue to help you secure the international assistance and investment
you need to create jobs and opportunity, working with the United Nations
and through the International Compact with Iraq endorsed here in New
York yesterday. We will continue to train those of you who stepped
forward to fight the enemies of freedom. We will not yield the future of
your country to terrorists and extremists. In return, your leaders must
rise to the challenges your country is facing, and make difficult
choices to bring security and prosperity. Working together, we will help
your democracy succeed, so it can become a beacon of hope for millions
in the Muslim world.
To the people of Afghanistan: Together, we overthrew the Taliban
regime that brought misery into your lives and harbored terrorists who
brought death to the citizens of many nations. Since then, we have
watched you choose your leaders in free elections and build a democratic
government. You can be proud of these achievements. We respect your
courage, and your determination to live in peace and freedom. We will
continue to stand with you to defend your democratic gains. Today forces
from more than 40 countries, including members of the NATO Alliance, are
bravely serving side-by-side with you against the extremists who want to
bring down the free government you've established. We'll help you defeat
these enemies and build a free Afghanistan that will never again oppress
you, or be a safe haven for terrorists.
To the people of Lebanon: Last year, you inspired the world when you
came out into the streets to demand your independence from Syrian
dominance. You drove Syrian forces from your country and you
reestablished democracy. Since then, you have been tested by the
fighting that began with Hezbollah's unprovoked attacks on Israel. Many
of you have seen your homes and communities caught in crossfire. We see
your suffering, and the world is helping you to rebuild your country,
and helping you deal with the armed extremists who are undermining your
democracy by acting as a state within a state. The United Nations has
passed a good resolution that has authorized an international force, led
by France and Italy, to help you restore Lebanese sovereignty over
Lebanese soil. For many years, Lebanon was a model of democracy and
pluralism and openness in the region -- and it will be again.
To the people of Iran: The United States respects you; we respect
your country. We admire your rich history, your vibrant culture, and
your many contributions to civilization. You deserve an opportunity to
determine your own future, an economy that rewards your intelligence and
your talents, and a society that allows you to fulfill your tremendous
potential. The greatest obstacle to this future is that your rulers have
chosen to deny you liberty and to use your nation's resources to fund
terrorism, and fuel extremism, and pursue nuclear weapons. The United
Nations has passed a clear resolution requiring that the regime in
Tehran meet its international obligations. Iran must abandon its nuclear
weapons ambitions. Despite what the regime tells you, we have no
objection to Iran's pursuit of a truly peaceful nuclear power program.
We're working toward a diplomatic solution to this crisis. And as we do,
we look to the day when you can live in freedom -- and America and Iran
can be good friends and close partners in the cause of peace.
To the people of Syria: Your land is home to a great people with a
proud tradition of learning and commerce. Today your rulers have allowed
your country to become a crossroad for terrorism. In your midst, Hamas
and Hezbollah are working to destabilize the region, and your government
is turning your country into a tool of Iran. This is increasing your
country's isolation from the world. Your government must choose a better
way forward by ending its support for terror, and living in peace with
your neighbors, and opening the way to a better life for you and your
families.
To the people of Darfur: You have suffered unspeakable violence, and
my nation has called these atrocities what they are -- genocide. For the
last two years, America joined with the international community to
provide emergency food aid and support for an African Union peacekeeping
force. Yet your suffering continues. The world must step forward to
provide additional humanitarian aid -- and we must strengthen the
African Union force that has done good work, but is not strong enough to
protect you. The Security Council has approved a resolution that would
transform the African Union force into a blue-helmeted force that is
larger and more robust. To increase its strength and effectiveness, NATO
nations should provide logistics and other support. The regime in
Khartoum is stopping the deployment of this force. If the Sudanese
government does not approve this peacekeeping force quickly, the United
Nations must act. Your lives and the credibility of the United Nations
is at stake. So today I'm announcing that I'm naming a Presidential
Special Envoy -- former USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios -- to lead
America's efforts to resolve the outstanding disputes and help bring
peace to your land.
The world must also stand up for peace in the Holy Land. I'm
committed to two democratic states -- Israel and Palestine -- living
side-by-side in peace and security. I'm committed to a Palestinian state
that has territorial integrity and will live peacefully with the Jewish
state of Israel. This is the vision set forth in the road map -- and
helping the parties reach this goal is one of the great objectives of my
presidency. The Palestinian people have suffered from decades of
corruption and violence and the daily humiliation of occupation. Israeli
citizens have endured brutal acts of terrorism and constant fear of
attack since the birth of their nation. Many brave men and women have
made the commitment to peace. Yet extremists in the region are stirring
up hatred and trying to prevent these moderate voices from prevailing.
This struggle is unfolding in the Palestinian territories. Earlier
this year, the Palestinian people voted in a free election. The leaders
of Hamas campaigned on a platform of ending corruption and improving the
lives of the Palestinian people, and they prevailed. The world is
waiting to see whether the Hamas government will follow through on its
promises, or pursue an extremist agenda. And the world has sent a clear
message to the leaders of Hamas: Serve the interests of the Palestinian
people. Abandon terror, recognize Israel's right to exist, honor
agreements, and work for peace.
President Abbas is committed to peace, and to his people's
aspirations for a state of their own. Prime Minister Olmert is committed
to peace, and has said he intends to meet with President Abbas to make
real progress on the outstanding issues between them. I believe peace
can be achieved, and that a democratic Palestinian state is possible. I
hear from leaders in the region who want to help. I've directed
Secretary of State Rice to lead a diplomatic effort to engage moderate
leaders across the region, to help the Palestinians reform their
security services, and support Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their
efforts to come together to resolve their differences. Prime Minister
Blair has indicated that his country will work with partners in Europe
to help strengthen the governing institutions of the Palestinian
administration. We welcome his initiative. Countries like Saudi Arabia
and Jordan and Egypt have made clear they're willing to contribute the
diplomatic and financial assistance necessary to help these efforts
succeed. I'm optimistic that by supporting the forces of democracy and
moderation, we can help Israelis and Palestinians build a more hopeful
future and achieve the peace in a Holy Land we all want.
Freedom, by its nature, cannot be imposed -- it must be chosen. From
Beirut to Baghdad, people are making the choice for freedom. And the
nations gathered in this chamber must make a choice, as well: Will we
support the moderates and reformers who are working for change across
the Middle East -- or will we yield the future to the terrorists and
extremists? America has made its choice: We will stand with the
moderates and reformers.
Recently a courageous group of Arab and Muslim intellectuals wrote me
a letter. In it, they said this: "The shore of reform is the only one on
which any lights appear, even though the journey demands courage and
patience and perseverance." The United Nations was created to make that
journey possible. Together we must support the dreams of good and decent
people who are working to transform a troubled region -- and by doing
so, we will advance the high ideals on which this institution was
founded.
Thank you for your time. God bless. |