United States, 2006

I am grateful for the privilege of

speaking to the 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 Hall. 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 twenty-first 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 rostrum 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 [are] the foundation of freedom,

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 religions, in all

regions — 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 are seeing the 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 Hall. 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

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held by a dictator who killed his citizens, invaded his

neighbours and showed his contempt for the world by

defying more than a dozen Security Council

resolutions. Now Iraq’s seat is held by a democratic

Government that embodies the aspirations of the Iraqi

people, represented today by President Talabani. With

these changes, more than 50 million people have been

given a voice in this Hall 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 its seats in the 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 in

Egypt. These are important steps, and the Governments

should continue to move forward with other reforms

that show that 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

cultures 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 are 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 is like to be a young person

living in a country that is not moving toward reform.

You are 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 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 would 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 honours people of all faiths and promotes 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 have 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

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your democracy succeed, so that 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 harboured 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 have

established. We will 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 Hizbollah’s

unprovoked attacks on Israel. Many of you have seen

your homes and your 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 fulfil 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 programme. We are 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 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. 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. 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,

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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. 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. 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. 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.

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. And by doing so, we will advance the high

ideals on which this institution was founded.