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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(New York, New York)
September 19, 2006
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
United Nations
New York, New York
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12:15 P.M. EDT
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.
END 12:35 P.M. EDT
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