YouSaid · the spoken record

George W. Bush

lines on the record: 151
first: 2001-09-24
most recent: 2008-09-24
sittings or episodes: 7
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“It can affirm the great promise of its founding. In the final days of the San Francisco Conference, the delegates negotiating the United Nations Charter received a visit from President Harry Truman. He acknowledged the enormous challenges they faced and said that success was possible only because of what he called an unshakable unity of determination. Today, the world is engaged in another period of great challenge, and by continuing to work together, that unshakable unity of determination will be ours. Together we can confront and defeat the evil of terrorism. Together we can secure the Almighty’s gift of liberty and justice to millions who have not known it. Together we can build a world that is freer, safer and better for the generations who follow.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Where Members fail to uphold their obligations, there must be strong action — for example, there should be an immediate review of the Human Rights Council, which has routinely protected violators of human rights. There should be a stronger effort to help the people of Burma live free of the repression they have suffered for too long. All nations, especially members of the Security Council, must act decisively to ensure that the Government of the Sudan upholds its commitment to address the violence in Darfur. The United Nations is an Organization of extraordinary potential. As it rebuilds its Headquarters, it must also open the door to a new age of transparency, accountability and seriousness of purpose. With determination and clear purpose, the United Nations can be a powerful force for good as we head into the twenty-first century.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The objectives I have laid out for multilateral institutions confronting terror, opposing tyranny and promoting effective development are difficult, but they are necessary tasks. To have maximum impact, multilateral institutions must take on challenging missions, and like all of us in this Hall they must work towards measurable goals, be accountable for their actions and hold true to their word. In the twenty-first century, the world needs a competent and effective United Nations. This unique institution should build on its successes and improve its performance. Where there is inefficiency and corruption, that must be corrected. Where there are bloated bureaucracies, they must be streamlined.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In recent weeks we have taken bold steps to prevent a severe disruption of the American economy, which would have a devastating effect on other economies around the world. We promote stability in the markets by preventing the disorderly failure of major companies. 08-51570 12 The Federal Reserve has injected urgently needed liquidity into the system. Last week, I announced decisive action by the federal Government to address the root cause of much of the instability in our financial markets by purchasing illiquid assets that are weighing down balance sheets and restricting the flow of credit. I can assure the Assembly that my Administration and our Congress are working together to quickly pass legislation approving this strategy. And I am confident that we will act in the urgent time frame required.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The most effective step of all would be an agreement that tears down trade barriers at the global level. The recent impasse in the Doha round is disappointing, but that does not have to be the final word. I urge every nation to seize this opportunity to lift up economies around the world and reach a successful Doha agreement as soon as possible. Beyond Doha, our nations must renew our commitment to open economies and stand firm against economic isolationism. These objectives are being tested by turbulence in the global financial markets. Our economies are more closely connected than ever before, and I know that many of you here are watching how the United States Government will address the problems in our financial system.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Multilateral organizations have made bold commitments of their own to fight disease. The G-8 has pledged to match America’s efforts on malaria and HIV/AIDS. Through the Global Fund, many countries are working to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Lives in the developing world depend on these programmes, and all who have made pledges to fight disease have an obligation to follow through on their commitments. One of the most powerful engines of development and prosperity are trade and investment, which create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, help people rise out of poverty and reinforce such fundamental values as transparency and the rule of law. For all these reasons, many represented in this Hall have conducted free-trade agreements at the bilateral and regional levels.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Experience also shows that, to be effective, we must adopt a model of partnership, not paternalism. This approach is based on our conviction that people in the developing world have the capacity to improve their own lives and will rise to meet high expectations if we set them. America sought to apply this model in our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Every nation that receives American support through this initiative develops its own plan for fighting HIV/AIDS and measures the results. So far, these results are inspiring. Five years ago, 50,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa were receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS; today, that number is nearly 1.7 million. We are taking a similar approach to fighting malaria, and so far we have supported local efforts to protect more than 25 million Africans.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Over the years, many nations have made well- intentioned efforts to promote these goals, but the success of these efforts must be measured by more than intentions. It must be measured by results. My nation is placing insistence on results at the heart of our foreign assistance programmes. We launched a new initiative, called the Millennium Challenge Account, which directs our help to countries that demonstrate their ability to produce results by governing justly, fighting corruption and pursuing market-based economic policies, as well as investing in their people. Every country and institution that provides foreign assistance, including the United Nations, will be more effective by showing faith in the people of the developing world and insisting on performance in return for aid.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The extremists find their most fertile recruiting grounds in societies trapped in chaos and despair — places where people see no prospect of a better life. In the shadows of hopelessness, radicalism thrives. Eventually, that radicalism can boil over into violence, cross borders and take innocent lives across the world. Overcoming hopelessness requires addressing its causes: poverty, disease and ignorance. Challenging these conditions is in the interest of every nation in this Hall, and democracies are particularly well positioned to carry out that work because we have experience responding to the needs of our own people. We are natural partners in helping other nations respond to the needs of theirs. Together, we must commit our resources and efforts to advancing education, health and prosperity.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In this Hall are representatives of Georgia, Ukraine, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Liberia, Iraq and other brave young democracies. We admire their courage, we honour their sacrifices, and we thank them for their 11 08-51570 inspiring example. We will continue to stand with all who stand for freedom. This noble goal is worthy of the United Nations and it should have the support of every member of this Assembly. Extending the reach of political freedom is essential to prevailing in the great struggle of our time, but it is not enough. Many in this Hall have answered the call to help their brothers and sisters in need by working to alleviate hopelessness. Those efforts to improve the human condition honour the highest ideals of this institution. They also advance our security interests.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We must stand united in our support of other young democracies, from the people of Lebanon struggling to maintain their hard-won independence to the people of the Palestinian territories, who deserve a free and peaceful State of their own. We must stand united in our support of the people of Georgia. The United Nations Charter sets forth the equal rights of nations large and small; Russia’s invasion of Georgia was a violation of those rights. Young democracies around the world are watching to see how we respond to this test. The United States has worked with allies in such multilateral institutions as the European Union and NATO to uphold Georgia’s territorial integrity and provide humanitarian relief. Our nations will continue to support Georgia’s democracy.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In Iraq, the fight has been difficult, yet daily life has improved dramatically over the past 20 months thanks to the courage of the Iraqi people, a determined coalition of nations and a surge of American troops. The United Nations has provided the mandate for multinational forces in Iraq through this December, and the United Nations is carrying out an ambitious strategy to strengthen Iraq’s democracy, including helping Iraqis prepare for their next round of free elections. Whatever disagreements our nations have had on Iraq, we should all welcome this progress towards stability and peace and we should stand united in helping Iraq’s democracy succeed.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“In Afghanistan, a determined people are working to overcome decades of tyranny and protect their newly free society. They have strong support from all 26 nations of the NATO alliance. I appreciate the United Nations decision this week to renew the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The United Nations also has an active civilian presence in Afghanistan, where experts are doing important work helping to improve education, facilitate humanitarian aid and protect human rights. We must continue to help the Afghan people defend their young democracy so that the Taliban does not return to power and Afghanistan is never again a safe haven for terror.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“From the voting booths of Afghanistan, Iraq and Liberia to the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the Rose Revolution in Georgia, the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon and the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan, we have seen people consistently make the courageous decision to demand their liberty. For all the suggestions to the contrary, the truth is that, whenever and wherever people are given the choice, they choose freedom. Nations represented in this Hall have supported the efforts of dissidents, reformers and civil society advocates in newly free societies through the new United Nations Democracy Fund, and we appreciate those efforts. As young democracies around the world continue to make brave stands for liberty, multilateral organizations like the United Nations must continue to stand with them.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Advancing this vision of freedom serves our highest ideals, as expressed in the United Nations Charter’s commitment to the dignity and worth of the human person. Advancing this vision also serves our security interests. History shows that when citizens have a voice in choosing their own leaders, they are less likely to search for meaning in radical ideologies, and when Governments respect the rights of their people, they are more likely to respect the rights of their neighbours. For all these reasons, the nations of this body must challenge tyranny as vigorously as we challenge terror. Some question whether people in certain parts of the world actually desire freedom. This self-serving condescension has been disproved before our eyes.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“We must continue working to deny the terrorists refuge anywhere in the world, including ungoverned spaces. We must remain vigilant against proliferation by fully implementing the terms of resolution 1540 (2004) and enforcing sanctions against North Korea and Iran. We must not relent until our people are safe from this threat to civilization. To uphold the Charter’s promise of peace and security in the twenty-first century, we must also confront the ideology of the terrorists. At its core, the struggle against extremists is a battle of ideas. Terrorists envision a world in which religious freedom is denied, women are oppressed and all dissent is crushed. The nations represented in this Hall must present a more hopeful alternative — a vision where people can speak freely, worship as they choose and pursue their dreams in liberty.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Over the past seven years, Afghanistan and Iraq have been transformed from regimes that actively sponsor terror to democracies that fight terror. Libya has renounced its support for terror and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Nations like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are actively pursuing the terrorists. A few nations, regimes like Syria and Iran, continue to sponsor terror, yet their numbers are growing fewer and they are growing more isolated from the world. As the twenty-first century unfolds, some may be tempted to assume that the threat has receded. That would be comforting. It would be wrong. The terrorists believe time is on their side, so they have made waiting 08-51570 10 out civilized nations part of their strategy. We must not allow them to succeed. The nations of this body must stand united in the fight against terror.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference recently spoke out against suicide bombing, which he said runs counter to the teachings of Islam. The message behind those statements is resolutely clear. Like slavery and piracy, terrorism has no place in the modern world. Around the globe, nations are turning those words into action. Members of the United Nations are sharing intelligence with one another, conducting joint operations and freezing terrorists’ finances. While terrorists continue to carry out attacks like the terrible bombing in Islamabad last week, our joint actions have spared our citizens from many devastating blows. The brutal nature of the extremists is increasingly clear and the coalition of nations confronting terrorists is growing stronger.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Multilateral organizations must respond by taking an unequivocal moral stand against terrorism. No cause can justify the deliberate taking of innocent life, and the international community is nearing universal agreement on this truth. The vast majority of nations in this Assembly now agree that tactics like suicide bombing, hostage-taking and hijacking are never legitimate. The Security Council has adopted resolutions declaring terror unlawful and requiring all nations to crack down on terrorist financing. Earlier this month, the Secretary-General held a conference to highlight victims of terror, where he stated that terrorism can never be justified. Other multilateral organizations have spoken clearly as well. The Group of 8 has declared that all terrorist acts are criminal and must be universally condemned.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“By acting together to meet the fundamental challenge of our time, we can lead towards a world that is more secure, more prosperous and more hopeful. In the decades ahead, the United Nations and other multilateral organizations must continually confront terror. That mission requires clarity of vision. We must see the terrorists for what they are: ruthless extremists who exploit the desperate, subvert the tenets of a great religion and seek to impose their will on as many people as possible. Some suggest that those men would pose less of a threat if we would only leave them alone, yet their leaders make clear that no concession could ever satisfy their ambitions. Bringing the terrorists to justice does not create terrorism. It is the best way to protect our people.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“Multilateral organizations have responsibilities. For eight years, the nations in this Assembly have worked together to confront the extremist threat. We have witnessed successes and setbacks, and through it all a clear lesson has emerged. The United Nations and other multilateral organizations are needed more urgently than ever. To be successful, we must be focused, resolute and effective. Instead of only adopting resolutions decrying terrorist acts after they occur, we must cooperate more closely to keep terrorist attacks from happening in the first place. Instead of treating all forms of Government as equally tolerable, we must actively challenge the conditions of tyranny and despair that allow terror and extremists to thrive.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“They show contempt for all who respect life and value human dignity. They reject the words of the Bible, the Koran, the Torah or any standard of conscience of morality. They imperil the values of justice and human rights that gave birth to the United Nations — values that have fuelled an unprecedented expansion of freedom across the world. To uphold the words of the Charter in the face of this challenge, every nation in this Hall has responsibilities. As sovereign States, we have an obligation to govern responsibly and solve problems before they spill across borders. We have an obligation to prevent our territory from being used as a sanctuary for terrorism, proliferation, human trafficking and organized crime. We have an obligation to respect the rights and respond to the needs of our people.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“I am pleased to be here to address the General Assembly. Sixty-three years ago, representatives from around the world gathered in San Francisco to complete the founding of the Charter of the United Nations. They met in the shadow of a devastating war, with grave new dangers on the horizon. They agreed on a historic pledge to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and unite their strength to maintain international peace and security. That noble pledge has endured trying hours in United Nations history, and it still guides our work today. 9 08-51570 Yet the ideals of the Charter are now facing a challenge as serious as any since the United Nations founding: a global movement of violent extremists. By deliberately murdering the innocent to advance their aims, those extremists defy the fundamental principles of international order.”
2008-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 63 (2008)
“With the commitment and courage of those in this Hall, we can build a world where people are free to speak, assemble and worship as they wish a world where children in every nation grow up healthy, get a decent education and look to the future with hope a world where opportunity crosses every border. America will lead towards that vision, in which all are created equal and free to pursue their dreams. That is the founding conviction of my country. It is the promise that established this body. And, with our determination, it can be the future of our world.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“To be credible on human rights in the world, the United Nations must first reform its own Human Rights Council. Some have also called for reform of the structure of the Security Council, including an expansion of its membership. The United States is open to this prospect. We believe that Japan is well qualified for permanent membership on the Security Council and that other nations should be considered as well. The United States will listen to all good ideas, and we will support changes to the Security Council as part of broader United Nations reform. And in all we do, I call on Member States to work for an institution that adheres to strict ethical standards and lives up to the high principles of the Universal Declaration.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Together, we are working to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Together, we are confronting the challenges of energy security, environmental quality and climate change. I appreciate the discussions on climate change led by the Secretary-General last night. I look forward to further discussions at the meeting of major economies in Washington later this week. The goals I have outlined today cannot be achieved overnight, and they cannot be achieved without reform of this vital institution. The United States is committed to a strong and vibrant United Nations. Yet the American people are disappointed by the failures of the Human Rights Council. That body has been silent on repression by regimes from Havana and Caracas to Pyongyang and Tehran, while focusing its criticism excessively on Israel.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“And I am optimistic that we can reach a good Doha agreement and seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity. In the meantime, America wi11 continue to pursue agreements that open trade and investment wherever we can. We recently signed free-trade agreements with Peru, Colombia, Panama and South Korea. These agreements embody the values of open markets, transparent and fair regulation, respect for private property and resolving disputes under rules of international law. These are good agreements. They are now ready for a congressional vote, and I urge our Congress to approve them as soon as possible. As America works with the United Nations to alleviate immediate needs, we are also coming together to address longer-term challenges. Together, we are preparing for pandemics that could cause death and suffering on a global scale.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Open markets ignite growth, encourage investment, increase transparency, strengthen the rule of law and help countries help themselves. The international community now has a historic chance to open markets around the world by concluding a successful Doha Round of trade talks. A successful Doha outcome would mean real and substantial openings in agriculture, goods and services, and real and substantial reductions in trade-distorting subsidies. The world’s largest trading nations, including major developing countries, have a special responsibility to make the tough political decisions to reduce trade barriers. America has the wi11 and flexibility to make those necessary decisions. Our negotiators are demonstrating that spirit in Geneva. I urge other leaders to direct their negotiators to do the same.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We have dramatically increased our own development assistance, and we are delivering that aid in innovative ways. We started the Millennium Challenge Account to reward nations that govern justly, fight corruption, invest in their people and promote economic freedom. With this aid, we are reaching out to developing nations in partnership, not paternalism. And we are ensuring that our aid dollars reach those who need them and achieve results. In the long run, the best way to lift people out of poverty is through trade and investment. A nation that is open and trading with the world will create economic rewards that far exceed anything it could get through foreign aid. During the 1990s, developing nations that significantly lowered tariffs saw their per capita income grow about three times faster than other developing countries.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“And in all our education efforts, our nation is working to expand access for women and girls so that the opportunity to get a decent education is open to all. Finally, the mission of the United Nations requires liberating people from poverty and despair. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration states that everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment and to just and favourable conditions of work. In the twenty-first century, this requires ensuring that people in poor countries have the same opportunity to benefit from the global economy that citizens of wealthy countries have. The United Nations provides vital economic assistance designed to help developing nations grow their economies and reach their potential. The United States agrees with that position.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Better education promotes better health and greater independence. Better education increases the strength of democracy and weakens the appeal of violent ideologies. So the United States is joining with nations around the world to help them provide a better education for their people. A good education starts with good teachers. In partnership with other nations, America has helped train more than 600,000 teachers and administrators. A good education requires good textbooks. So, in partnership with other nations, America has distributed tens of millions of textbooks. A good education requires access to good schools. So, in partnership with other nations, America is helping nations raise standards in their schools at home and providing scholarships to help students come to schools in the United States.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The world knows what it takes to stop malaria bed nets, indoor spraying and medicine to treat the disease. Two years ago, America launched a $1.2 billion malaria initiative. Other nations and the private sector are making vital contributions as well. I call on every Member State to maintain its focus, to find new ways to join this cause and to bring us closer to the day when deaths caused by malaria are no more. Thirdly, the mission of the United Nations requires liberating people from the chains of illiteracy and ignorance. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration states that everyone has the right to education. When nations make the investments needed to educate their people, the whole world benefits. Better education unleashes the talent and potential of citizens and adds to the prosperity of all of us.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The world responded by creating the Global Fund, which is working with Governments and the private sector to fight the disease around the world. The United States decided to take these efforts a step further by launching the $15 billion Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Since 2003, this effort has helped bring cutting-edge medicines to more than a million people in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a good start. So earlier this year, I proposed to double our initial commitment to $30 billion. By coming together, the world can turn the tide against HIV/AIDS, once and for all. Malaria is another common killer. In some countries, malaria takes as many lives as HIV/AIDS, the vast majority of them children under the age of five. Every one of these deaths is unnecessary, because the disease is preventable and treatable.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Today, more than half the world’s food assistance comes from America. We send emergency food stocks to starving people, from camps in Sudan to slums around the world. I have proposed an innovative initiative to alleviate hunger under which America would purchase the crops of local farmers in Africa and elsewhere, rather than shipping in food from the developed world. This would help build up local agriculture and break the cycle of famine in the developing world, and I urge our United States Congress to support this initiative. Many in this Hall are bringing the spirit of generosity to fighting HIV/AIDS and malaria. Five years ago, in sub-Saharan Africa, an AIDS diagnosis was widely considered a death sentence, and fewer than 50,000 people infected with the virus were receiving treatment.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“I look forward to attending a Security Council meeting that will focus on Darfur, chaired by the French President. I appreciate France’s leadership in helping to stabilize Sudan’s neighbours. The United Nations must answer this challenge to conscience and live up to its promise to promptly deploy peacekeeping forces to Darfur. Secondly, the mission of the United Nations requires liberating people from hunger and disease. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration states that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Around the world, the United Nations is carrying out noble efforts to live up to these words. Feeding the hungry has long been a special calling for my nation.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“And as that nation enters a period of transition, the United Nations must insist on free speech, free assembly and, ultimately, free and competitive elections. In Zimbabwe, ordinary citizens suffer under a tyrannical regime. The Government has cracked down on peaceful calls for reform and has forced millions to flee their homeland. The behaviour of the Mugabe regime is an assault on its people and an affront to the principles of the Universal Declaration. The United Nations must insist on change in Harare and must insist on freedom for the people of Zimbabwe. In Sudan, innocent civilians are suffering repression; and in the Darfur region, many are losing their lives to genocide. America has responded with tough sanctions against those responsible for the violence. We have provided more than $2 billion in humanitarian and peacekeeping aid.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The ruling junta remains unyielding, yet the people’s desire for freedom is unmistakable. This morning, I am announcing a series of steps to help bring peaceful change to Burma. The United States will tighten economic sanctions on the leaders of the regime and their financial backers. We will impose an expanded visa ban on those responsible for the most egregious violations of human rights as well as their family members. We will continue to support the efforts of humanitarian groups working to alleviate suffering in Burma. And I urge the United Nations and all nations to use their diplomatic and economic leverage to help the Burmese people reclaim their freedom. In Cuba, the long rule of a cruel dictator is nearing its end. The Cuban people are ready for their freedom.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The people of Lebanon and Afghanistan and Iraq have asked for our help, and every civilized nation has a responsibility to stand with them. Every civilized nation also has a responsibility to stand up for the people suffering under dictatorship. In Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Iran, brutal regimes deny their people the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration. Americans are outraged by the situation in Burma, where a military junta has imposed a 19-year reign of fear. Basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship are severely restricted. Ethnic minorities are persecuted. Forced child labour, human trafficking and rape are common. The regime is holding more than 1,000 political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party was elected overwhelmingly by the Burmese people in 1990.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The United States salutes the nations that have recently taken strides towards liberty, including Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Morocco. The Palestinian territories have moderate leaders mainstream leaders who are working to build free institutions that fight terror, enforce the law and respond to the needs of their people. The international community must support these leaders so that we can advance the vision of two democratic States Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. Brave citizens in Lebanon and Afghanistan and Iraq have made the choice for democracy. Yet, the extremists have responded by targeting them for murder. This is not a show of strength; it is evidence of fear; and the extremists are doing everything within their power to bring down these young democracies.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The first mission of the United Nations requires liberating people from tyranny and violence. The first article of the Universal Declaration begins by stating that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This truth is denied by terrorists and extremists who kill the innocent with the aim of imposing their hateful vision on humanity. The followers of this violent ideology are a threat to civilized people everywhere. All civilized nations must work together to stop them by sharing intelligence about their networks and choking off their finances and bringing to justice their operatives. In the long run, the best way to defeat extremists is to defeat their dark ideology with a more hopeful vision the vision of liberty that founded this body.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We nations in this Hall have our differences. Yet, there are some areas where we can all agree. When innocent people are trapped in a life of murder and fear, the Declaration is not being upheld. When millions of children starve to death or perish from a mosquito bite, we are not doing our duty in the world. When whole societies are cut off from the prosperity of the global economy, we are all worse off. Changing these underlying conditions is what the Declaration calls the work of larger freedom, and it must be the work of every nation in this Assembly. This great institution must work for great purposes, to free people from tyranny and violence, hunger and disease, illiteracy and ignorance and poverty and despair. Every member of the United Nations must join in this mission of liberation.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Thank you for the opportunity to address the General Assembly of the United Nations. Sixty years ago, representatives from 16 nations gathered to begin deliberations on a new international bill of rights. The document they produced is called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and it stands as a landmark achievement in the history of human liberty. The Declaration opens by recognizing the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom and justice and peace in the world. As we gather for the sixty-second session of the General Assembly, the standards of the Declaration must guide our work in this world. Achieving the promise of the Declaration requires confronting long-term threats. It also requires answering the immediate needs of today.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“And by doing so, we will advance the high ideals on which this institution was founded.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“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 Hall 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, 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.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“I have 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, Jordan and Egypt have made clear that they are willing to contribute the diplomatic and financial assistance necessary to help these efforts succeed. I am 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 the Holy Land that we all want.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“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, honour 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 that peace can be achieved and that a democratic Palestinian State is possible. I hear from leaders in the region who want to help.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“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.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“So today I am announcing that I am naming a presidential Special Envoy — former Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, 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 am committed to two democratic States, 11 06-52731 Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. I am 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 to 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.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“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 are at stake.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Today your rulers have allowed your country to become a crossroad for terrorism. In your midst, Hamas and Hizbollah 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 neighbours, 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.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)