THEWHITE HOUSE
Officeof the Press Secretary
EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
September 21, 2011
Remarksof President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery
Addressto the United Nations General Assembly
NewYork City
September21, 2011
As Prepared for Delivery –
Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, fellow delegates, ladies andgentlemen: I would like to talk to you about a subject that is at the heart ofthe United Nations – the pursuit of peace in an imperfect world.
War and conflict have been with us since the beginning ofcivilization. But in the first part of the 20th century, the advance of modernweaponry led to death on a staggering scale. It was this killing that compelledthe founders of this body to build an institution that was focused not just onending one war, but on averting others; a union of sovereign states that wouldseek to prevent conflict, while also addressing its causes.
No American did more to pursue this objective than PresidentFranklin Roosevelt. He knew that a victory in war was not enough. As he said atone of the very first meetings on the founding of the United Nations, “We havegot to make, not merely a peace, but a peace that will last.”
The men and women who built this institution understood that peaceis more than the absence of war. A lasting peace – for nations and individuals– depends upon a sense of justice and opportunity; of dignity and freedom. Itdepends upon struggle and sacrifice; on compromise, and a sense of commonhumanity.
One delegate to the San Francisco Conference that led to thecreation of United Nations put it well – “Many people,” she said, “have talkedas if all we had to do to get peace was…to say loudly and frequently that weloved peace and hated war. Now we have learned that no matter how much we lovepeace and hate war, we cannot avoid having war brought upon us if there areconvulsions in other parts of the world.”
The fact is, peace is hard, but our people demand it. Over nearlyseven decades, even as the United Nations helped avert a third World War, westill live in a world scarred by conflict and plagued by poverty. Even as weproclaim our love for peace and hatred of war, there are convulsions in ourworld that endanger us all.
I took office at a time of two wars for the United States.Moreover, the violent extremists who drew us into war in the first place –Osama bin Laden, and his al Qaeda organization – remained at large. Today, wehave set a new direction.
At the end of this year, America’s military operation in Iraq willbe over. We will have a normal relationship with a sovereign nation that is amember of the community of nations. That equal partnership will be strengthenedby our support for Iraq – for its government and Security Forces; for itspeople and their aspirations.
As we end the war in Iraq, the United States and our coalitionpartners have begun a transition in Afghanistan. Between now and 2014, anincreasingly capable Afghan government and Security Forces will step forward totake responsibility for the future of their country. As they do, we are drawingdown our own forces, while building an enduring partnership with the Afghanpeople.
So let there be no doubt: the tide of war is receding. WhenI took office, roughly 180,000 Americans were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.By the end of this year, that number will be cut in half, and it will continueto decline. This is critical to the sovereignty of Iraq and Afghanistan, and tothe strength of the United States as we build our nation at home.
Moreover, we are poised to end these wars from a position ofstrength. Ten years ago, there was an open wound of twisted steel and brokenhearts in this city. Today, as a new tower rising at Ground Zero symbolizes NewYork’s renewal, al Qaeda is under more pressure than ever before. Itsleadership has been degraded. And Osama bin Laden, a man who murdered thousandsof people from dozens of countries, will never endanger the peace of the worldagain.
Yes, this has been a difficult decade. But today, we stand at acrossroads of history with the chance to move decisively in the direction ofpeace. To do so, we must return to the wisdom of those who created thisinstitution. The UN’s Founding Charter calls upon us, “to unite our strength tomaintain international peace and security.” And Article 1 of this GeneralAssembly’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us that, “All humanbeings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ Those bedrock beliefs –in the responsibility of states, and the rights of men and women – must be ourguide.
In that effort, we have reason to hope. This year has been a timeof transformation. More nations have stepped forward to maintaininternational peace and security. And more individuals are claiming theiruniversal right to live in freedom and dignity.
One year ago, when we met here in New York, the prospect of asuccessful referendum in South Sudan was in doubt. But the internationalcommunity overcame old divisions to support the agreement that had beennegotiated to give South Sudan self-determination. And last summer, as a newflag went up in Juba, former soldiers laid down their arms; men and women weptwith joy; and children finally knew the promise of looking to a future thatthey will shape.
One year ago, the people of Cote D’Ivoire approached a landmarkelection. And when the incumbent lost, and refused to respect the results, theworld refused to look the other way. UN peacekeepers were harassed, but did notleave their posts. The Security Council, led by the United States, Nigeria, andFrance, came together to support the will of the people. And Cote D’Ivoire isnow governed by the man who was elected to lead.
One year ago, the hopes of the people of Tunisia were suppressed.But they chose the dignity of peaceful protest over the rule of an iron fist. Avendor lit a spark that took his own life, but ignited a movement. In the faceof a crackdown, students spelled out the word freedom. The balance of fearshifted from the ruler to those that he ruled. Now the people of Tunisia arepreparing for elections that will move them one step closer to the democracythey deserve.
One year ago, Egypt had known one President for nearly thirtyyears. But for 18 days, the eyes of the world were on Tahrir Square, whereEgyptians from all walks of life – men and women; young and old; Muslim andChristian – demanded their universal rights. We saw in those protesters themoral force of non-violence that has lit the world from Delhi to Warsaw; fromSelma to South Africa – and we knew that change had come to Egypt and to theArab World.
One year ago, the people of Libya were ruled by the world’slongest serving dictator. But faced with bullets and bombs and a dictator whothreatened to hunt them down like rats, they showed relentless bravery. We willnever forget the words of the Libyan who stood up in those early days ofrevolution and said, “Our words are free now. It’s a feeling you can’texplain.”
Day after day, in the face of bullets and bombs, the Libyan peoplerefused to give back that freedom. And when they were threatened by the kind ofmass atrocity that often went unchallenged in the last century, the UnitedNations lived up to its charter. The Security Council authorized all necessarymeasures to prevent a massacre. The Arab League called for this effort,and Arab nations joined a NATO-led coalition that halted Qadhafi’s forces intheir tracks.
In the months that followed, the will of the coalition provedunbreakable, and the will of the Libyan people could not be denied. Forty-twoyears of tyranny was ended in six months. From Tripoli to Misratah toBenghazi – today, Libya is free. Yesterday, the leaders of a new Libyatook their rightful place beside us, and this week, the United States isreopening our Embassy in Tripoli. This is how the international community issupposed to work – nations standing together for the sake of peace andsecurity; individuals claiming their rights. Now, all of us have aresponsibility to support the new Libyan government as they confront thechallenge of turning this moment of promise into a just and lasting peace forall Libyans.
So it has been a remarkable year. The Qadhafi regime is over.Gbagbo, Ben Ali, and Mubarak are no longer in power. Osama bin Laden is gone,and the idea that change could only come through violence has been buried withhim. Something is happening in our world. The way things have been is not theway they will be. The humiliating grip of corruption and tyranny is being priedopen. Technology is putting power in the hands of the people. The youth aredelivering a powerful rebuke to dictatorship, and rejecting the lie that someraces, religions and ethnicities do not desire democracy. The promise writtendown on paper – “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity andrights” – is closer at hand.
But let us remember: peace is hard. Progress can be reversed.Prosperity comes slowly. Societies can split apart. The measure of oursuccess must be whether people can live in sustained freedom, dignity, andsecurity. And the United Nations and its member states must do their part tosupport those basic aspirations.
In Iran, we have seen a government that refuses to recognize therights of its own people. And as we meet here today, men, women and childrenare being tortured, detained and murdered by the Syrian regime. Thousands havebeen killed, many during the holy time of Ramadan. Thousands more have pouredacross Syria’s borders. The Syrian people have shown dignity and courage intheir pursuit of justice – protesting peacefully, standing silently in thestreets, dying for the same values that this institution is supposed to standfor. The question for us is clear: Will we stand with the Syrian people, orwith their oppressors?
Already, the United States has imposed strong sanctions on Syria’sleaders. We have supported a transfer of power that is responsive to the Syrianpeople. Many of our allies have joined us in this effort. But for the sake ofSyria – and the peace and security of the world – we must speak with one voice.There is no excuse for inaction. Now is the time for the United NationsSecurity Council to sanction the Syrian regime, and to stand with the Syrianpeople.
Throughout the region, we will have to respond to the calls forchange. In Yemen, men, women and children gather by the thousands in towns andcity squares every day with the hope that their determination and spilled bloodwill prevail over a corrupt system. America supports their aspirations. We mustwork with Yemen’s neighbors and our partners around the world to seek a paththat allows for a peaceful transition of power from President Saleh, and amovement to free and fair elections as soon as possible.
In Bahrain, steps have been taken toward reform andaccountability, but more are required. America is a close friend of Bahrain,and we will continue to call on the government and the main opposition bloc –the Wifaq – to pursue a meaningful dialogue that brings peaceful change that isresponsive to the people. And we believe the patriotism that binds Bahrainistogether must be more powerful than the sectarian forces that would tear themapart.
Each nation must chart its own course to fulfill the aspirationsof its people, and America does not expect to agree with every party or personwho expresses themselves politically. But we will always stand up for theuniversal rights that were embraced by this Assembly. Those rights depend uponelections that are free and fair; governance that is transparent andaccountable; respect for the rights of women and minorities; and justice thatis equal and fair. That is what our people deserve. Those are elements of apeace that lasts.
Moreover, the United States will continue to support those nationsthat transition to democracy – with greater trade and investment, so thatfreedom is followed by opportunity. We will pursue a deeper engagement withgovernments, but also civil society – students and entrepreneurs; politicalparties and the press. We have banned those who abuse human rights fromtravelling to our country, and sanctioned those who trample on human rightsabroad. And we will always serve as a voice for those who have been silenced.
Now I know that for many in this hall, one issue stands as a testfor these principles – and for American foreign policy: the conflict betweenthe Israelis and Palestinians.
One year ago, I stood at this podium and called for an independentPalestine. I believed then – and I believe now – that the Palestinian peopledeserve a state of their own. But what I also said is that genuine peace canonly be realized between Israelis and Palestinians themselves. One year later,despite extensive efforts by America and others, the parties have not bridgedtheir differences. Faced with this stalemate, I put forward a new basis fornegotiations in May. That basis is clear, and well known to all of us here.Israelis must know that any agreement provides assurances for their security.Palestinians deserve to know the territorial basis of their state.
I know that many are frustrated by the lack of progress. So am I.But the question isn’t the goal we seek – the question is how to reach it. AndI am convinced that there is no short cut to the end of a conflict that hasendured for decades. Peace will not come through statements and resolutions atthe UN – if it were that easy, it would have been accomplished by now.Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians who must live side by side.Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians – not us – who must reach agreementon the issues that divide them: on borders and security; on refugees andJerusalem.
Peace depends upon compromise among peoples who must live togetherlong after our speeches are over, and our votes have been counted. That is thelesson of Northern Ireland, where ancient antagonists bridged theirdifferences. That is the lesson of Sudan, where a negotiated settlement led toan independent state. And that is the path to a Palestinian state.
We seek a future where Palestinians live in a sovereign state oftheir own, with no limit to what they can achieve. There is no question thatthe Palestinians have seen that vision delayed for too long. And it isprecisely because we believe so strongly in the aspirations of the Palestinianpeople that America has invested so much time and effort in the building of aPalestinian state, and the negotiations that can achieve one.
America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable, and ourfriendship with Israel is deep and enduring. And so we believe that any lastingpeace must acknowledge the very real security concerns that Israel faces everysingle day. Let’s be honest: Israel is surrounded by neighbors that have wagedrepeated wars against it. Israel’s citizens have been killed by rockets firedat their houses and suicide bombs on their buses. Israel’s children come of ageknowing that throughout the region, other children are taught to hate them. Israel,a small country of less than eight million people, looks out at a world whereleaders of much larger nations threaten to wipe it off of the map. The Jewishpeople carry the burden of centuries of exile, persecution, and the freshmemory of knowing that six million people were killed simply because of whothey were.
These facts cannot be denied. The Jewish people have forged asuccessful state in their historic homeland. Israel deserves recognition. Itdeserves normal relations with its neighbors. And friends of the Palestiniansdo them no favors by ignoring this truth, just as friends of Israel mustrecognize the need to pursue a two state solution with a secure Israel next toan independent Palestine.
That truth – that each side has legitimate aspirations – is whatmakes peace so hard. And the deadlock will only be broken when each side learnsto stand in each other’s shoes. That’s what we should be encouraging. This body– founded, as it was, out of the ashes of war and genocide; dedicated, as itis, to the dignity of every person – must recognize the reality that is livedby both the Palestinians and the Israelis. The measure of ouractions must always be whether they advance the right of Israeli andPalestinian children to live in peace and security, with dignity andopportunity. We will only succeed in that effort if we can encourage theparties to sit down together, to listen to each other, and to understand eachother’s hopes and fears. That is the project to which America is committed. Andthat is what the United Nations should be focused on in the weeks and months tocome.
Now, even as we confront these challenges of conflict andrevolution, we must also recognize once more that peace is not just the absenceof war. True peace depends upon creating the opportunity that makes life worthliving. And to do that, we must confront the common enemies of human beings:nuclear weapons and poverty; ignorance and disease. These forces corrode thepossibility of lasting peace, and together we are called upon to confront them.
To lift the specter of mass destruction, we must come together topursue the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. Over the lasttwo years, we have begun to walk down that path. Since our Nuclear SecuritySummit in Washington, nearly 50 nations have taken steps to secure nuclearmaterials from terrorists and smugglers. Next March, a Summit in Seoul willadvance our efforts to lock down all of them. The New START Treaty between theUnited States and Russia will cut our deployed arsenals to the lowest level ina half century, and our nations are pursuing talks on how to achieve deeperreductions. America will continue to work for a ban on the testing of nuclearweapons, and the production of fissile material needed to make them.
As we meet our obligations, we have strengthened the treaties andinstitutions that help stop the spread of these weapons. To do so, we mustcontinue to hold accountable those nations that flout them. The Iraniangovernment cannot demonstrate that its program is peaceful, has not met itsobligations, and rejected offers that would provide it with peaceful nuclearpower. North Korea has yet to take concrete steps toward abandoning itsweapons, and continues belligerent actions against the South. There is a futureof greater opportunity for the people of these nations if their governmentsmeet their obligations. But if they continue down a path that is outsideinternational law, they must be met with greater pressure and isolation. Thatis what our commitment to peace demands.
To bring prosperity to our people, we must promote the growth thatcreates opportunity. In this effort, let us not forget that we have madeenormous progress over the last several decades. Closed societies gave way to openmarkets. Innovation and entrepreneurship has transformed the way we live andthe things that we can do. Emerging economies from Asia to the Americas havelifted hundreds of millions from poverty. Yet three years ago, we confrontedthe worst financial crisis in eight decades. That crisis proved a factthat has become clearer with each passing year – our fate is interconnected; ina global economy, nations will rise, or fall, together.
Today, we confront the challenges that have followed that crisis.Recovery is fragile. Markets are volatile. Too many people are out of work. Toomany others are struggling to get by. We acted together to avert a Depressionin 2009. We must take urgent and coordinated action once more. Here in theUnited States, I have announced a plan to put Americans back to work andjumpstart our economy, and committed to substantially reduce our deficit overtime. We stand with our European allies as they reshape their institutions andaddress their own fiscal challenge. For other countries, leaders face adifferent challenge as they shift their economies towards more self-reliance,boosting domestic demand while slowing inflation. So we will work withemerging economies that have rebounded strongly, so that rising standards ofliving create new markets that promote global growth. That is what ourcommitment to prosperity demands.
To combat the poverty that punishes our children, we must act onthe belief that freedom from want is a basic human right. The United States hasmade it a focus of our engagement abroad to help people to feed themselves. Andtoday, as drought and conflict have brought famine to the Horn of Africa, ourconscience calls on us to act. Together, we must continue to provideassistance, and support organizations that can reach those in need. Andtogether, we must insist on unrestricted humanitarian access so that we cansave the lives of thousands of men, women and children. Our common humanity is atstake. Let us show that the life of a child in Somalia is as precious as anyother. That is what our commitment to our fellow human beings demands.
To stop disease that spreads across borders, we must strengthenour systems of public health. We will continue the fight against HIV/AIDS,tuberculosis and malaria. We will focus on the health of mothers and children.And we must come together to prevent, detect, and fight every kind ofbiological danger – whether it is a pandemic like H1N1, a terrorist threat, ora treatable disease. This week, America signed an agreement with theWorld Health Organization to affirm our commitment to meet this challenge.Today, I urge all nations to join us in meeting the WHO’s goal of making sureall nations have core capacities to address public health emergencies in placeby 2012. That is what our commitment to the health of our people demands.
To preserve our planet, we must not put off the action that achanging climate demands. We must tap the power of science to save thoseresources that are scarce. Together, we must continue our work to build on theprogress made in Copenhagen and Cancun, so that all of the major economies heretoday follow through on the commitments that were made. Together, we must workto transform the energy that powers are economies, and support others as theymove down that path. That is what our commitment to the next generationdemands.
And to make sure our societies reach their potential, we mustallow our citizens to reach theirs. No country can afford the cancer ofcorruption. Together, we must harness the power of open societies and openeconomies. That is why we have partnered with countries from across the globeto launch a new partnership on Open Government that helps ensure accountabilityand empower their citizens. No country should deny people their rights becauseof who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays andlesbians everywhere. And no country can realize its potential if half itspopulation cannot reach theirs. This week, the United States signed a newDeclaration on Women’s Participation. Next year, we should each announce thesteps we are taking to break down economic and political barriers that stand inthe way of women and girls. That is what our commitment to human progressdemands.
I know that there is no straight line to progress, no single pathto success. We come from different cultures, and carry with us differenthistories. But let us never forget that even as we gather here as heads of differentgovernments, we represent citizens who share the same basic aspirations – tolive with dignity and freedom; to get an education and pursue opportunity; tolove our families and our God. To live in the kind of peace that makes lifeworth living.
It is the nature of our imperfect world that we are forced tolearn this lesson over and over again. Conflict and repression will endure solong as some people refuse to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.Yet that is precisely why we have built institutions like this that bind ourfates together – because those who came before us believed that peace ispreferable to war; freedom is preferable to suppression; and prosperity ispreferable to poverty. That is the message that comes not from capitals, butfrom citizens.
When the corner-stone of this very building was put in place,President Truman came here to New York and said, “The United Nations isessentially an expression of the moral nature of man’s aspirations.” As we livein a world that is changing at a breathtaking pace, that is a lesson that wemust never forget.
Peace is hard, but we know that it is possible. Together, let usresolve to see that it is defined by our hopes and not our fears. Together, letus work to make, not merely a peace, but a peace that will last. Thank you.
Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com
