[Announce] Bush and Amadinejad at the UN

[Robert Waldrop]

Below are the transcripts of the speeches of the 
presidents of the United States and Iran to the 
United Nations today.  I think both speeches are 
important and should be read by all.  RMW

Transcript of Ahmadinejad's U.N. Speech
The following is a transcript of remarks by 
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the 
United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Madam President, Distinguished Heads of State and 
Government, Distinguished Heads of Delegation, 
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I praise the Merciful, All-Knowing and Almighty 
God for blessing me with another opportunity to 
address this Assembly on behalf of the great 
nation of Iran and to bring a number of issues to 
the attention of the international community.

I also praise the Almighty for the increasing 
vigilance of peoples across the globe, their 
courageous presence in different international 
settings, and the brave expression of their views 
and aspirations regarding global issues.

Today, humanity passionately craves commitment to 
the Truth, devotion to God, quest for Justice and 
respect for the dignity of human beings. Rejection 
of domination and aggression, defense of the 
oppressed, and longing for peace constitute the 
legitimate demand of the peoples of the world, 
particularly the new generations and the spirited 
youth, who aspire a world free from decadence, 
aggression and injustice, and replete with love 
and compassion. The youth have a right to seek 
justice and the Truth; and they have a right to 
build their own future on the foundations of love, 
compassion and tranquility. And, I praise the 
Almighty for this immense blessing.

Madame President, Excellencies,

What afflicts humanity today is certainly not 
compatible with human dignity; the Almighty has 
not created human beings so that they could 
transgress against others and oppress them.

By causing war and conflict, some are fast 
expanding their domination, accumulating greater 
wealth and usurping all the resources, while 
others endure the resulting poverty, suffering and 
misery.

Some seek to rule the world relying on weapons and 
threats, while others live in perpetual insecurity 
and danger.

Some occupy the homeland of others, thousands of 
kilometers away from their borders, interfere in 
their affairs and control their oil and other 
resources and strategic routes, while others are 
bombarded daily in their own homes; their children 
murdered in the streets and alleys of their own 
country and their homes reduced to rubble.

Such behavior is not worthy of human beings and 
runs counter to the Truth, to justice and to human 
dignity. The fundamental question is that under 
such conditions, where should the oppressed seek 
justice? Who, or what organization defends the 
rights of the oppressed, and suppresses acts of 
aggression and oppression? Where is the seat of 
global justice?

A brief glance at a few examples of the most 
pressing global issues can further illustrate the 
problem.

A. The unbridled expansion of nuclear, chemical 
and biological weapons

Some powers proudly announce their production of 
second and third generations of nuclear weapons. 
What do they need these weapons for? Is the 
development and stockpiling of these deadly 
weapons designed to promote peace and democracy? 
Or, are these weapons, in fact, instruments of 
coercion and threat against other peoples and 
governments? How long should the people of the 
world live with the nightmare of nuclear, 
biological and chemical weapons? What bounds the 
powers producing and possessing these weapons? How 
can they be held accountable before the 
international community? And, are the inhabitants 
of these countries content with the waste of their 
wealth and resources for the production of such 
destructive arsenals? Is it not possible to rely 
on justice, ethics and wisdom instead of these 
instruments of death? Aren't wisdom and justice 
more compatible with peace and tranquility than 
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons? If 
wisdom, ethics and justice prevail, then 
oppression and aggression will be uprooted, 
threats will wither away and no reason will remain 
for conflict. This is a solid proposition because 
most global conflicts emanate from injustice, and 
from the powerful, not being contented with their 
own rights, striving to devour the rights of 
others.

People across the globe embrace justice and are 
willing to sacrifice for its sake.

Would it not be easier for global powers to ensure 
their longevity and win hearts and minds through 
the championing of real promotion of justice, 
compassion and peace, than through continuing the 
proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons and 
the threat of their use?

The experience of the threat and the use of 
nuclear weapons is before us. Has it achieved 
anything for the perpetrators other than 
exacerbation of tension, hatred and animosity 
among nations?

B. Occupation of countries and exacerbation of 
hostilities

Occupation of countries, including Iraq, has 
continued for the last three years. Not a day goes 
by without hundreds of people getting killed in 
cold blood. The occupiers are incapable of 
establishing security in Iraq. Despite the 
establishment of the lawful Government and 
National Assembly of Iraq, there are covert and 
overt efforts to heighten insecurity, magnify and 
aggravate differences within Iraqi society, and 
instigate civil strife.

There is no indication that the occupiers have the 
necessary political will to eliminate the sources 
of instability. Numerous terrorists were 
apprehended by the Government of Iraq, only to be 
let loose under various pretexts by the occupiers.

It seems that intensification of hostilities and 
terrorism serves as a pretext for the continued 
presence of foreign forces in Iraq.

Where can the people of Iraq seek refuge, and from 
whom should the Government of Iraq seek justice?

Who can ensure Iraq's security? Insecurity in Iraq 
affects the entire region. Can the Security 
Council play a role in restoring peace and 
security in Iraq, while the occupiers are 
themselves permanent members of the Council? Can 
the Security Council adopt a fair decision in this 
regard?

Consider the situation in Palestine:

The roots of the Palestinian problem go back to 
the Second World War. Under the pretext of 
protecting some of the survivors of that War, the 
land of Palestine was occupied through war, 
aggression and the displacement of millions of its 
inhabitants; it was placed under the control of 
some of the War survivors, bringing even larger 
population groups from elsewhere in the world, who 
had not been even affected by the Second World 
War; and a government was established in the 
territory of others with a population collected 
from across the world at the expense of driving 
millions of the rightful inhabitants of the land 
into a diaspora and homelessness. This is a great 
tragedy with hardly a precedent in history. 
Refugees continue to live in temporary refugee 
camps, and many have died still hoping to one day 
return to their land. Can any logic, law or legal 
reasoning justify this tragedy? Can any member of 
the United Nations accept such a tragedy occurring 
in their own homeland?

The pretexts for the creation of the regime 
occupying Al-Qods Al-Sharif are so weak that its 
proponents want to silence any voice trying to 
merely speak about them, as they are concerned 
that shedding light on the facts would undermine 
the raison d'être of this regime, as it has. The 
tragedy does not end with the establishment of a 
regime in the territory of others. Regrettably, 
from its inception, that regime has been a 
constant source of threat and insecurity in the 
Middle East region, waging war and spilling blood 
and impeding the progress of regional countries, 
and has also been used by some powers as an 
instrument of division, coercion, and pressure on 
the people of the region. Reference to these 
historical realities may cause some disquiet among 
supporters of this regime. But these are sheer 
facts and not myth. History has unfolded before 
our eyes.

Worst yet, is the blanket and unwarranted support 
provided to this regime.

Just watch what is happening in the Palestinian 
land. People are being bombarded in their own 
homes and their children murdered in their own 
streets and alleys. But no authority, not even the 
Security Council, can afford them any support or 
protection. Why?

At the same time, a Government is formed 
democratically and through the free choice of the 
electorate in a part of the Palestinian territory. 
But instead of receiving the support of the 
so-called champions of democracy, its Ministers 
and Members of Parliament are illegally abducted 
and incarcerated in full view of the international 
community.

Which council or international organization stands 
up to protect this brutally besieged Government? 
And why can't the Security Council take any steps?

Let me here address Lebanon:

For thirty-three long days, the Lebanese lived 
under the barrage of fire and bombs and close to 
1.5 million of them were displaced; meanwhile some 
members of the Security Council practically chose 
a path that provided ample opportunity for the 
aggressor to achieve its objectives militarily. We 
witnessed that the Security Council of the United 
Nations was practically incapacitated by certain 
powers to even call for a ceasefire. The Security 
Council sat idly by for so many days, witnessing 
the cruel scenes of atrocities against the 
Lebanese while tragedies such as Qana were 
persistently repeated. Why?

In all these cases, the answer is self-evident. 
When the power behind the hostilities is itself a 
permanent member of the Security Council, how then 
can this Council fulfill its responsibilities?

C. Lack of respect for the rights of members of 
the international community

Excellencies,

I now wish to refer to some of the grievances of 
the Iranian people and speak to the injustices 
against them.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a member of the 
IAEA and is committed to the NPT. All our nuclear 
activities are transparent, peaceful and under the 
watchful eyes of IAEA inspectors. Why then are 
there objections to our legally recognized rights? 
Which governments object to these rights? 
Governments that themselves benefit from nuclear 
energy and the fuel cycle. Some of them have 
abused nuclear technology for non-peaceful ends 
including the production of nuclear bombs, and 
some even have a bleak record of using them 
against humanity.

Which organization or Council should address these 
injustices? Is the Security Council in a position 
to address them? Can it stop violations of the 
inalienable rights of countries? Can it prevent 
certain powers from impeding scientific progress 
of other countries?

The abuse of the Security Council, as an 
instrument of threat and coercion, is indeed a 
source of grave concern.

Some permanent members of the Security Council, 
even when they are themselves parties to 
international disputes, conveniently threaten 
others with the Security Council and declare, even 
before any decision by the Council, the 
condemnation of their opponents by the Council. 
The question is: what can justify such 
exploitation of the Security Council, and doesn't 
it erode the credibility and effectiveness of the 
Council? Can such behavior contribute to the 
ability of the Council to maintain security?

Excellencies,

A review of the preceding historical realities 
would lead to the conclusion that regrettably, 
justice has become a victim of force and 
aggression. Many global arrangements have become 
unjust, discriminatory and irresponsible as a 
result of undue pressure from some of the 
powerful; Threats with nuclear weapons and other 
instruments of war by some powers have taken the 
place of respect for the rights of nations and the 
maintenance and promotion of peace and 
tranquility;

For some powers, claims of promotion of human 
rights and democracy can only last as long as they 
can be used as instruments of pressure and 
intimidation against other nations. But when it 
comes to the interests of the claimants, concepts 
such as democracy, the right of self-determination 
of nations, respect for the rights and 
intelligence of peoples, international law and 
justice have no place or value. This is blatantly 
manifested in the way the elected Government of 
the Palestinian people is treated as well as in 
the support extended to the Zionist regime. It 
does not matter if people are murdered in 
Palestine, turned into refugees, captured, 
imprisoned or besieged; that must not violate 
human rights.

- Nations are not equal in exercising their rights 
recognized by international law. Enjoying these 
rights is dependent on the whim of certain major 
powers.

- Apparently the Security Council can only be used 
to ensure the security and the rights of some big 
powers. But when the oppressed are decimated under 
bombardment, the Security Council must remain 
aloof and not even call for a ceasefire. Is this 
not a tragedy of historic proportions for the 
Security Council, which is charged with 
maintaining the security of countries?

- The prevailing order of contemporary global 
interactions is such that certain powers equate 
themselves with the international community, and 
consider their decisions superseding that of over 
180 countries. They consider themselves the 
masters and rulers of the entire world and other 
nations as only second class in the world order.

Excellencies,

The question needs to be asked: if the Governments 
of the United States or the United Kingdom who are 
permanent members of the Security Council, commit 
aggression, occupation and violation of 
international law, which of the organs of the UN 
can take them to account? Can a Council in which 
they are privileged members address their 
violations? Has this ever happened? In fact, we 
have repeatedly seen the reverse. If they have 
differences with a nation or state, they drag it 
to the Security Council and as claimants, arrogate 
to themselves simultaneously the roles of 
prosecutor, judge and executioner. Is this a just 
order? Can there be a more vivid case of 
discrimination and more clear evidence of 
injustice?

Regrettably, the persistence of some hegemonic 
powers in imposing their exclusionist policies on 
international decision making mechanisms, 
including the Security Council, has resulted in a 
growing mistrust in global public opinion, 
undermining the credibility and effectiveness of 
this most universal system of collective security.

Excellencies,

How long can such a situation last in the world? 
It is evident that the behavior of some powers 
constitutes the greatest challenge before the 
Security Council, the entire organization and its 
affiliated agencies.

The present structure and working methods of the 
Security Council, which are legacies of the Second 
World War, are not responsive to the expectations 
of the current generation and the contemporary 
needs of humanity.

Today, it is undeniable that the Security Council, 
most critically and urgently, needs legitimacy and 
effectiveness. It must be acknowledged that as 
long as the Council is unable to act on behalf of 
the entire international community in a 
transparent, just and democratic manner, it will 
neither be legitimate nor effective. Furthermore, 
the direct relation between the abuse of veto and 
the erosion of the legitimacy and effectiveness of 
the Council has now been clearly and undeniably 
established. We cannot, and should not, expect the 
eradication, or even containment, of injustice, 
imposition and oppression without reforming the 
structure and working methods of the Council.

Is it appropriate to expect this generation to 
submit to the decisions and arrangements 
established over half a century ago? Doesn't this 
generation or future generations have the right to 
decide themselves about the world in which they 
want to live?

Today, serious reform in the structure and working 
methods of the Security Council is, more than ever 
before, necessary. Justice and democracy dictate 
that the role of the General Assembly, as the 
highest organ of the United Nations, must be 
respected. The General Assembly can then, through 
appropriate mechanisms, take on the task of 
reforming the Organization and particularly rescue 
the Security Council from its current state. In 
the interim, the Non-Aligned Movement, the 
Organization of the Islamic Conference and the 
African continent should each have a 
representative as a permanent member of the 
Security Council, with veto privilege. The 
resulting balance would hopefully prevent further 
trampling of the rights of nations.

Madame President,

Excellencies,

It is essential that spirituality and ethics find 
their rightful place in international relations. 
Without ethics and spirituality, attained in light 
of the teachings of Divine prophets, justice, 
freedom and human rights cannot be guaranteed.

Resolution of contemporary human crises lies in 
observing ethics and spirituality and the 
governance of righteous people of high competence 
and piety.

Should respect for the rights of human beings 
become the predominant objective, then injustice, 
ill-temperament, aggression and war will fade 
away.

Human beings are all God's creatures and are all 
endowed with dignity and respect.

No one has superiority over others. No individual 
or states can arrogate to themselves special 
privileges, nor can they disregard the rights of 
others and, through influence and pressure, 
position themselves as the "international 
community".

Citizens of Asia, Africa, Europe and America are 
all equal. Over 6 billion inhabitants of the earth 
are all equal and worthy of respect. Justice and 
protection of human dignity are the two pillars in 
maintaining sustainable peace, security and 
tranquility in the world.

It is for this reason that we state:

Sustainable peace and tranquility in the world can 
only be attained through justice, spirituality, 
ethics, compassion and respect for human dignity.

All nations and states are entitled to peace, 
progress and security.

We are all members of the international community 
and we are all entitled to insist on the creation 
of a climate of compassion, love and justice.

All members of the United Nations are affected by 
both the bitter and the sweet events and 
developments in today's world.

We can adopt firm and logical decisions, thereby 
improving the prospects of a better life for 
current and future generations.

Together, we can eradicate the roots of bitter 
maladies and afflictions, and instead, through the 
promotion of universal and lasting values such as 
ethics, spirituality and justice, allow our 
nations to taste the sweetness of a better future.

Peoples, driven by their divine nature, 
intrinsically seek Good, Virtue, Perfection and 
Beauty. Relying on our peoples, we can take giant 
steps towards reform and pave the road for human 
perfection. Whether we like it or not, justice, 
peace and virtue will sooner or later prevail in 
the world with the will of Almighty God. It is 
imperative, and also desirable, that we too 
contribute to the promotion of justice and virtue.

The Almighty and Merciful God, who is the Creator 
of the Universe, is also its Lord and Ruler. 
Justice is His command. He commands His creatures 
to support one another in Good, virtue and piety, 
and not in decadence and corruption.

He commands His creatures to enjoin one another to 
righteousness and virtue and not to sin and 
transgression. All Divine prophets from the 
Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) to the Prophet 
Moses (peace be upon him), to the Prophet Jesus 
Christ (peace be upon him), to the Prophet 
Mohammad (peace be upon him), have all called 
humanity to monotheism, justice, brotherhood, love 
and compassion. Is it not possible to build a 
better world based on monotheism, justice, love 
and respect for the rights of human beings, and 
thereby transform animosities into friendship?

I emphatically declare that today's world, more 
than ever before, longs for just and righteous 
people with love for all humanity; and above all 
longs for the perfect righteous human being and 
the real savior who has been promised to all 
peoples and who will establish justice, peace and 
brotherhood on the planet.

0, Almighty God, all men and women are Your 
creatures and You have ordained their guidance and 
salvation. Bestow upon humanity that thirsts for 
justice, the perfect human being promised to all 
by You, and make us among his followers and among 
those who strive for his return and his cause.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Transcript of Bush's U.N. General Assembly Speech
The following is a transcript of remarks by 
President Bush to the United Nations General 
Assembly in New York.

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-Qaida 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 
re-established 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.