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President Obama: Mr.
President, Mr. Secretary
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General, fellow delegates,
ladies and gentlemen:
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Seventy years after the
founding of the United
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Nations, it is worth
reflecting on what,
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together, the members of
this body have helped
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to achieve.
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Out of the ashes of the
Second World War, having
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witnessed the unthinkable
power of the atomic age, the
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United States has worked
with many nations in this
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Assembly to prevent a third
world war -- by forging
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alliances with old
adversaries; by supporting
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the steady emergence
of strong democracies
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accountable to their people
instead of any foreign
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power; and by building an
international system that
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imposes a cost on those
who choose conflict over
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cooperation, an order that
recognizes the dignity and
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equal worth of all people.
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That is the work
of seven decades.
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That is the ideal that this
body, at its best, has pursued.
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Of course, there have
been too many times when,
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collectively, we have fallen
short of these ideals.
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Over seven decades, terrible
conflicts have claimed
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untold victims.
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But we have pressed forward,
slowly, steadily, to make a
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system of international
rules and norms that are
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better and stronger
and more consistent.
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It is this international
order that has underwritten
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unparalleled advances
in human liberty and prosperity.
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It is this collective
endeavor that's brought
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about diplomatic cooperation
between the world's major
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powers, and buttressed a
global economy that has
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lifted more than a billion
people from poverty.
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It is these international
principles that helped
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constrain bigger countries
from imposing our will on
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smaller ones, and advanced
the emergence of democracy
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and development and
individual liberty on
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every continent.
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This progress is real.
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It can be documented in
lives saved, and agreements
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forged, and diseases
conquered, and in mouths fed.
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And yet, we come together
today knowing that the march
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of human progress never
travels in a straight line,
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that our work is far from
complete; that dangerous
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currents risk pulling us
back into a darker, more
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disordered world.
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Today, we see the collapse
of strongmen and fragile
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states breeding conflict,
and driving innocent men,
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women and children across
borders on an *epoch epic scale.
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Brutal networks of terror
have stepped into the vacuum.
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Technologies that empower
individuals are now also
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exploited by those who
spread disinformation, or
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suppress dissent, or
radicalize our youth.
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Global capital flows
have powered growth and
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investment, but also
increased risk of contagion,
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weakened the bargaining
power of workers, and
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accelerated inequality.
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How should we respond
to these trends?
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There are those who argue
that the ideals enshrined in the
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U.N. charter are unachievable or
out of date -- a legacy of a
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postwar era not
suited to our own.
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Effectively, they argue for
a return to the rules that
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applied for most of human
history and that pre-date
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this institution: the belief
that power is a zero-sum
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game; that might makes
right; that strong states
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must impose their will on
weaker ones; that the rights
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of individuals don't matter;
and that in a time of rapid
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change, order must
be imposed by force.
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On this basis, we see
some major powers assert
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themselves in ways that
contravene international law.
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We see an erosion of the
democratic principles and
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human rights that are
fundamental to this
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institution's mission;
information is strictly
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controlled, the space for
civil society restricted.
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We're told that such
retrenchment is required to
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beat back disorder; that
it's the only way to stamp
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out terrorism, or prevent
foreign meddling.
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In accordance with this
logic, we should support
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tyrants like Bashar
al-Assad, who drops barrel
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bombs to massacre innocent
children, because the
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alternative is surely worse.
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The increasing skepticism of
our international order can
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also be found in the most
advanced democracies.
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We see greater polarization,
more frequent gridlock;
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movements on the far right,
and sometimes the left, that
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insist on stopping the trade
that binds our fates to
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other nations, calling for
the building of walls to
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keep out immigrants.
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Most ominously, we see the
fears of ordinary people
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being exploited through
appeals to sectarianism, or
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tribalism, or racism, or
anti-Semitism; appeals to a
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glorious past before the
body politic was infected by
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those who look different, or
worship God differently; a
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politics of us versus them.
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The United States is
not immune from this.
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00:07:03,089 --> 00:07:06,589
Even as our economy is
growing and our troops have
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largely returned from Iraq
and Afghanistan, we see in
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00:07:12,365 --> 00:07:17,205
our debates about America's
role in the world a notion
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of strength that is defined
by opposition to old
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enemies, perceived
adversaries, a rising China,
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or a resurgent Russia; a
revolutionary Iran, or an
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Islam that is
incompatible with peace.
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We see an argument made
that the only strength that
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matters for the United
States is bellicose words
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and shows of military
force; that cooperation and
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diplomacy will not work.
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As President of the United
States, I am mindful of the
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dangers that we face; they
cross my desk every morning.
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I lead the strongest
military that the world has
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ever known, and I will never
hesitate to protect my
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country or our allies,
unilaterally and by force
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where necessary.
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But I stand before you today
believing in my core that
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we, the nations of the
world, cannot return to the
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old ways of conflict
and coercion.
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We cannot look backwards.
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We live in an integrated
world -- one in which we all
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have a stake in each
other's success.
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We cannot turn those
forces of integration.
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No nation in this Assembly
can insulate itself from the
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threat of terrorism, or the
risk of financial contagion;
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the flow of migrants, or the
danger of a warming planet.
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The disorder we see is not
driven solely by competition
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between nations or
any single ideology.
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And if we cannot work
together more effectively,
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we will all suffer
the consequences.
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That is true for the
United States, as well.
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No matter how powerful our
military, how strong our
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economy, we understand the
United States cannot solve
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the world's problems alone.
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In Iraq, the United States
learned the hard lesson that
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even hundreds of thousands
of brave, effective troops,
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trillions of dollars from
our Treasury, cannot by
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itself impose stability
on a foreign land.
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Unless we work with other
nations under the mantle of
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international norms and
principles and law that
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offer legitimacy to our
efforts, we will not succeed.
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And unless we work together
to defeat the ideas that
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drive different communities
in a country like Iraq into
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conflict, any order that our
militaries can impose will
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be temporary.
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Just as force alone
cannot impose order
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internationally, I believe
in my core that repression
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cannot forge the social
cohesion for nations to succeed.
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The history of the last
two decades proves that in
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today's world,
dictatorships are unstable.
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The strongmen of today
become the spark of
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revolution tomorrow.
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You can jail your opponents,
but you can't imprison ideas.
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You can try to control
access to information, but
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you cannot turn
a lie into truth.
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It is not a conspiracy of
U.S.-backed NGOs that expose
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corruption and raise the
expectations of people
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around the globe; it's
technology, social media,
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and the irreducible desire
of people everywhere to make
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their own choices about
how they are governed.
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Indeed, I believe that in
today's world, the measure
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of strength is no longer
defined by the control
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of territory.
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Lasting prosperity does not
come solely from the ability
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to access and extract
raw materials.
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The strength of nations
depends on the success of
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their people -- their
knowledge, their innovation,
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their imagination, their
creativity, their drive,
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their opportunity -- and
that, in turn, depends upon
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individual rights and good
governance and
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personal security.
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Internal repression and
foreign aggression are both
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symptoms of the failure to
provide this foundation.
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A politics and solidarity
that depend on demonizing
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others, that draws on
religious sectarianism or
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narrow tribalism or jingoism
may at times look like
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strength in the moment, but
over time its weakness will
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be exposed.
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And history tells us that
the dark forces unleashed by
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this type of politics surely
makes all of us less secure.
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Our world has
been there before.
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We gain nothing
from going back.
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Instead, I believe that we
must go forward in pursuit
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of our ideals, not abandon
them at this critical time.
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We must give expression to
our best hopes, not our
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deepest fears.
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This institution was founded
because men and women who
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came before us had the
foresight to know that our
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nations are more secure when
we uphold basic laws and
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basic norms, and pursue a
path of cooperation
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over conflict.
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And strong nations, above
all, have a responsibility
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to uphold this
international order.
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Let me give you a
concrete example.
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After I took office, I
made clear that one of the
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00:14:05,211 --> 00:14:09,581
principal achievements of
this body -- the nuclear
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00:14:09,582 --> 00:14:13,922
non-proliferation regime --
was endangered by Iran's
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00:14:13,919 --> 00:14:15,919
violation of the NPT.
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On that basis, the Security
Council tightened sanctions
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on the Iranian government,
and many nations joined us
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to enforce them.
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Together, we showed that
laws and agreements
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mean something.
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But we also understood that
the goal of sanctions was
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not simply to punish Iran.
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Our objective was to test
whether Iran could change
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course, accept constraints,
and allow the world to
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00:14:44,617 --> 00:14:47,017
verify that its nuclear
program will be peaceful.
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For two years, the United
States and our partners --
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00:14:53,626 --> 00:14:59,566
including Russia, including
China -- stuck together in
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00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:01,565
complex negotiations.
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00:15:03,269 --> 00:15:07,169
The result is a lasting,
comprehensive deal that
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00:15:07,172 --> 00:15:09,542
prevents Iran from obtaining
a nuclear weapon, while
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00:15:09,541 --> 00:15:11,541
allowing it to access
peaceful energy.
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00:15:13,979 --> 00:15:17,379
And if this deal is fully
implemented, the prohibition
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00:15:17,383 --> 00:15:20,983
on nuclear weapons is
strengthened, a potential
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00:15:20,986 --> 00:15:24,986
war is averted,
our world is safer.
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00:15:28,327 --> 00:15:32,367
That is the strength of the
international system when it
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00:15:32,364 --> 00:15:34,334
works the way it should.
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00:15:38,737 --> 00:15:42,237
That same fidelity to
international order guides
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00:15:42,241 --> 00:15:46,181
our responses to other
challenges around the world.
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00:15:50,282 --> 00:15:53,622
Consider Russia's annexation
of Crimea and further
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00:15:53,619 --> 00:15:55,619
aggression in
eastern Ukraine.
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00:15:57,323 --> 00:16:01,623
America has few economic
interests in Ukraine.
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00:16:01,627 --> 00:16:04,097
We recognize the deep and
complex history between
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00:16:04,096 --> 00:16:06,096
Russia and Ukraine.
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00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:10,170
But we cannot stand by
when the sovereignty and
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00:16:10,169 --> 00:16:12,169
territorial integrity of
a nation is
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00:16:12,171 --> 00:16:13,641
flagrantly violated.
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If that happens without
consequence in Ukraine, it
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00:16:16,675 --> 00:16:19,245
could happen to any nation
gathered here today.
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That's the basis of the
sanctions that the United
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00:16:24,750 --> 00:16:26,990
States and our partners
impose on Russia.
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00:16:26,985 --> 00:16:29,855
It's not a desire to
return to a Cold War.
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Now, within Russia,
state-controlled media may
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00:16:34,793 --> 00:16:38,063
describe these events as
an example of a resurgent
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00:16:38,063 --> 00:16:44,803
Russia -- a view shared, by
the way, by a number of U.S.
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00:16:44,803 --> 00:16:48,873
politicians and commentators
who have always been deeply
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00:16:48,874 --> 00:16:53,214
skeptical of Russia, and
seem to be convinced a new
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00:16:53,212 --> 00:16:54,812
Cold War is, in
fact, upon us.
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00:16:54,813 --> 00:16:58,513
And yet, look
at the results.
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00:16:58,517 --> 00:17:02,817
The Ukrainian people are
more interested than ever in
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00:17:02,821 --> 00:17:06,491
aligning with Europe
instead of Russia.
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00:17:06,492 --> 00:17:08,792
Sanctions have led
to capital flight, a
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00:17:08,794 --> 00:17:14,264
contracting economy, a
fallen ruble, and the
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00:17:14,266 --> 00:17:16,266
emigration of more
educated Russians.
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00:17:20,739 --> 00:17:23,939
Imagine if, instead,
Russia had engaged in true
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00:17:23,942 --> 00:17:27,842
diplomacy, and worked
with Ukraine and the
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00:17:27,846 --> 00:17:30,186
international community to
ensure its interests
245
00:17:30,182 --> 00:17:32,182
were protected.
246
00:17:33,719 --> 00:17:35,759
That would be better for
Ukraine, but also better for
247
00:17:35,754 --> 00:17:40,494
Russia, and better for the
world -- which is why we
248
00:17:40,492 --> 00:17:46,002
continue to press for this
crisis to be resolved in a
249
00:17:45,998 --> 00:17:48,968
way that allows a sovereign
and democratic Ukraine to
250
00:17:48,967 --> 00:17:52,967
determine its future and
control its territory.
251
00:17:52,971 --> 00:17:55,541
Not because we want to
isolate Russia -- we don't
252
00:17:55,541 --> 00:17:57,541
-- but because we want
a strong Russia that's
253
00:17:57,543 --> 00:18:00,343
invested in working with
us to strengthen the
254
00:18:00,345 --> 00:18:02,345
international
system as a whole.
255
00:18:08,587 --> 00:18:13,087
Similarly, in the South
China Sea, the United States
256
00:18:13,091 --> 00:18:16,661
makes no claim on
territory there.
257
00:18:16,662 --> 00:18:18,662
We don't adjudicate claims.
258
00:18:20,265 --> 00:18:22,665
But like every nation
gathered here, we have an
259
00:18:22,668 --> 00:18:26,768
interest in upholding the
basic principles of freedom
260
00:18:26,772 --> 00:18:30,542
of navigation and the free
flow of commerce, and in
261
00:18:30,542 --> 00:18:34,742
resolving disputes through
international law, not the
262
00:18:34,746 --> 00:18:38,346
law of force.
263
00:18:38,350 --> 00:18:40,620
So we will defend these
principles, while
264
00:18:40,619 --> 00:18:43,789
encouraging China and other
claimants to resolve their
265
00:18:43,789 --> 00:18:45,789
differences peacefully.
266
00:18:51,129 --> 00:18:58,399
I say this, recognizing that
diplomacy is hard; that the
267
00:18:58,403 --> 00:19:02,973
outcomes are sometimes
unsatisfying; that it's
268
00:19:02,975 --> 00:19:04,975
rarely politically popular.
269
00:19:08,180 --> 00:19:11,250
But I believe that leaders
of large nations, in
270
00:19:11,250 --> 00:19:13,250
particular, have an
obligation to take these
271
00:19:13,252 --> 00:19:17,292
risks -- precisely because
we are strong enough to
272
00:19:17,289 --> 00:19:21,029
protect our interests if,
and when, diplomacy fails.
273
00:19:25,597 --> 00:19:30,167
I also believe that to move
forward in this new era, we
274
00:19:30,168 --> 00:19:33,238
have to be strong enough to
acknowledge when what you're
275
00:19:33,238 --> 00:19:35,238
doing is not working.
276
00:19:38,377 --> 00:19:41,047
For 50 years, the United
States pursued a Cuba policy
277
00:19:41,046 --> 00:19:43,046
that failed to improve the
lives of the Cuban people.
278
00:19:46,451 --> 00:19:49,051
We changed that.
279
00:19:49,054 --> 00:19:51,054
We continue to have
differences with the
280
00:19:51,056 --> 00:19:52,056
Cuban government.
281
00:19:52,057 --> 00:19:54,257
We will continue to stand
up for human rights.
282
00:19:54,259 --> 00:19:56,259
But we address these
issues through diplomatic
283
00:19:56,261 --> 00:19:58,631
relations, and
increased commerce, and
284
00:19:58,630 --> 00:20:04,570
people-to-people ties.
285
00:20:04,570 --> 00:20:07,770
As these contacts yield
progress, I'm confident that
286
00:20:07,773 --> 00:20:10,743
our Congress will inevitably
lift an embargo that should
287
00:20:10,742 --> 00:20:12,142
not be in place anymore.
288
00:20:12,144 --> 00:20:14,814
(applause)
289
00:20:22,888 --> 00:20:26,388
Change won't come overnight
to Cuba, but I'm confident
290
00:20:26,391 --> 00:20:30,761
that openness, not coercion,
will support the reforms and
291
00:20:30,762 --> 00:20:35,372
better the life the Cuban
people deserve, just as I
292
00:20:35,367 --> 00:20:38,837
believe that Cuba will find
its success if it pursues
293
00:20:38,837 --> 00:20:41,077
cooperation with
other nations.
294
00:20:45,043 --> 00:20:47,813
Now, if it's in the interest
of major powers to uphold
295
00:20:47,813 --> 00:20:51,383
international standards, it
is even more true for the
296
00:20:51,383 --> 00:20:55,023
rest of the
community of nations.
297
00:20:55,020 --> 00:20:57,560
Look around the world.
298
00:20:57,556 --> 00:21:05,026
From Singapore to Colombia
to Senegal, the facts shows
299
00:21:05,030 --> 00:21:07,770
that nations succeed when
they pursue an inclusive
300
00:21:07,766 --> 00:21:12,266
peace and prosperity within
their borders, and work
301
00:21:12,270 --> 00:21:15,540
cooperatively with countries
beyond their borders.
302
00:21:19,745 --> 00:21:21,985
That path is now available
to a nation like Iran,
303
00:21:21,980 --> 00:21:27,650
which, as of this moment,
continues to deploy violent
304
00:21:27,653 --> 00:21:29,653
proxies to advance
its interests.
305
00:21:32,457 --> 00:21:34,797
These efforts may appear
to give Iran leverage in
306
00:21:34,793 --> 00:21:38,493
disputes with neighbors, but
they fuel sectarian conflict
307
00:21:38,497 --> 00:21:41,497
that endangers the entire
region, and isolates Iran
308
00:21:41,500 --> 00:21:43,500
from the promise of
trade and commerce.
309
00:21:43,502 --> 00:21:48,102
The Iranian people have
a proud history, and are
310
00:21:48,106 --> 00:21:52,146
filled with
extraordinary potential.
311
00:21:52,144 --> 00:21:54,114
But chanting "Death to
America" does not create
312
00:21:54,112 --> 00:21:57,382
jobs, or make
Iran more secure.
313
00:21:59,584 --> 00:22:02,954
If Iran chose a different
path, that would be good for
314
00:22:02,954 --> 00:22:07,194
the security of the region,
good for the Iranian people,
315
00:22:07,192 --> 00:22:09,192
and good for the world.
316
00:22:12,597 --> 00:22:14,767
Of course, around the globe,
we will continue to be
317
00:22:14,766 --> 00:22:19,036
confronted with nations who
reject these lessons of
318
00:22:19,037 --> 00:22:24,177
history, places where civil
strife, border disputes, and
319
00:22:24,176 --> 00:22:27,876
sectarian wars bring about
terrorist enclaves and
320
00:22:27,879 --> 00:22:29,879
humanitarian disasters.
321
00:22:32,484 --> 00:22:39,494
Where order has completely
broken down, we must act,
322
00:22:39,491 --> 00:22:41,491
but we will be stronger
when we act together.
323
00:22:44,529 --> 00:22:46,899
In such efforts, the United
States will always do our part.
324
00:22:46,898 --> 00:22:52,868
We will do so mindful of the
lessons of the past -- not
325
00:22:52,871 --> 00:22:56,011
just the lessons of Iraq,
but also the example of
326
00:22:56,007 --> 00:22:59,347
Libya, where we joined an
international coalition
327
00:22:59,344 --> 00:23:02,344
under a U.N. mandate to prevent
a slaughter.
328
00:23:04,416 --> 00:23:07,216
Even as we helped the Libyan
people bring an end to the
329
00:23:07,219 --> 00:23:11,189
reign of a tyrant, our
coalition could have and
330
00:23:11,189 --> 00:23:14,089
should have done more to
fill a vacuum left behind.
331
00:23:17,362 --> 00:23:21,002
We're grateful to the United
Nations for its efforts to
332
00:23:20,999 --> 00:23:23,399
forge a unity government.
333
00:23:23,401 --> 00:23:26,771
We will help any legitimate
Libyan government as it
334
00:23:26,772 --> 00:23:29,712
works to bring the
country together.
335
00:23:29,708 --> 00:23:32,508
But we also have to
recognize that we must work
336
00:23:32,511 --> 00:23:35,081
more effectively in the
future, as an international
337
00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:40,850
community, to build capacity
for states that are in
338
00:23:40,852 --> 00:23:45,522
distress, before
they collapse.
339
00:23:45,524 --> 00:23:48,494
And that's why we should
celebrate the fact that
340
00:23:48,493 --> 00:23:51,293
later today the United
States will join with more
341
00:23:51,296 --> 00:23:55,566
than 50 countries to
enlist new capabilities --
342
00:23:55,567 --> 00:23:59,867
infantry, intelligence,
helicopters, hospitals, and
343
00:23:59,871 --> 00:24:03,641
tens of thousands of troops
-- to strengthen United
344
00:24:03,642 --> 00:24:04,642
Nations peacekeeping.
345
00:24:04,643 --> 00:24:06,843
(applause)
346
00:24:12,684 --> 00:24:16,184
These new capabilities can
prevent mass killing, and
347
00:24:16,188 --> 00:24:19,858
ensure that peace agreements
are more than words on paper.
348
00:24:22,727 --> 00:24:25,267
But we have to
do it together.
349
00:24:25,263 --> 00:24:29,673
Together, we must strengthen
our collective capacity to
350
00:24:29,668 --> 00:24:33,008
establish security where
order has broken down, and
351
00:24:33,004 --> 00:24:36,174
to support those who seek
a just and lasting peace.
352
00:24:41,112 --> 00:24:43,952
Nowhere is our commitment
to international order more
353
00:24:43,949 --> 00:24:45,949
tested than in Syria.
354
00:24:51,523 --> 00:24:54,923
When a dictator slaughters
tens of thousands of his own
355
00:24:54,926 --> 00:24:58,926
people, that is not just
a matter of one nation's
356
00:24:58,930 --> 00:25:03,570
internal affairs -- it
breeds human suffering on an
357
00:25:03,568 --> 00:25:05,568
order of magnitude
that affects us all.
358
00:25:08,974 --> 00:25:12,244
Likewise, when a terrorist
group beheads captives,
359
00:25:12,244 --> 00:25:15,884
slaughters the innocent and
enslaves women, that's not a
360
00:25:15,881 --> 00:25:18,581
single nation's national
security problem -- that is
361
00:25:18,583 --> 00:25:20,583
an assault on all humanity.
362
00:25:25,323 --> 00:25:27,993
I've said before and I will
repeat: There is no room for
363
00:25:27,993 --> 00:25:32,033
accommodating an apocalyptic
cult like ISIL, and the
364
00:25:32,030 --> 00:25:34,170
United States makes no
apologies for using our
365
00:25:34,165 --> 00:25:38,975
military, as part of a broad
coalition, to go after them.
366
00:25:38,970 --> 00:25:41,140
We do so with a
determination to ensure that
367
00:25:41,139 --> 00:25:44,639
there will never be a safe
haven for terrorists who
368
00:25:44,643 --> 00:25:47,313
carry out these crimes.
369
00:25:47,312 --> 00:25:49,652
And we have demonstrated
over more than a decade of
370
00:25:49,648 --> 00:25:53,688
relentless pursuit of al
Qaeda, we will not be
371
00:25:53,685 --> 00:25:55,685
outlasted by extremists.
372
00:25:57,789 --> 00:26:00,159
But while military power
is necessary, it is not
373
00:26:00,158 --> 00:26:02,528
sufficient to resolve
the situation in Syria.
374
00:26:05,363 --> 00:26:09,433
Lasting stability can only
take hold when the people of
375
00:26:09,434 --> 00:26:12,104
Syria forge an agreement to
live together peacefully.
376
00:26:12,103 --> 00:26:17,013
The United States is
prepared to work with any
377
00:26:17,008 --> 00:26:20,878
nation, including Russia
and Iran, to resolve
378
00:26:20,879 --> 00:26:22,879
the conflict.
379
00:26:24,849 --> 00:26:27,719
But we must recognize that
there cannot be, after so
380
00:26:27,719 --> 00:26:32,559
much bloodshed, so much
carnage, a return to the
381
00:26:32,557 --> 00:26:34,557
pre-war status quo.
382
00:26:37,562 --> 00:26:39,562
Let's remember
how this started.
383
00:26:41,866 --> 00:26:48,936
Assad reacted to peaceful
protests by escalating
384
00:26:48,940 --> 00:26:55,380
repression and killing
that, in turn, created the
385
00:26:55,380 --> 00:26:59,750
environment for
the current strife.
386
00:26:59,751 --> 00:27:02,851
And so Assad and his allies
cannot simply pacify the
387
00:27:02,854 --> 00:27:04,854
broad majority of a
population who have been
388
00:27:04,856 --> 00:27:07,596
brutalized by chemical
weapons and
389
00:27:07,592 --> 00:27:09,592
indiscriminate bombing.
390
00:27:12,163 --> 00:27:15,433
Yes, realism dictates that
compromise will be required
391
00:27:15,433 --> 00:27:17,573
to end the fighting and
ultimately stamp out ISIL.
392
00:27:19,571 --> 00:27:23,941
But realism also requires a
managed transition away from
393
00:27:23,942 --> 00:27:27,942
Assad and to a new leader,
and an inclusive government
394
00:27:27,946 --> 00:27:30,516
that recognizes there must
be an end to this chaos so
395
00:27:30,515 --> 00:27:33,285
that the Syrian people
can begin to rebuild.
396
00:27:39,357 --> 00:27:41,897
We know that ISIL -- which
emerged out of the chaos of
397
00:27:41,893 --> 00:27:46,063
Iraq and Syria -- depends on
perpetual war to survive.
398
00:27:46,064 --> 00:27:50,564
But we also know that they
gain adherents because of a
399
00:27:50,568 --> 00:27:53,008
poisonous ideology.
400
00:27:53,004 --> 00:27:57,244
So part of our job,
together, is to work to
401
00:27:57,242 --> 00:28:01,042
reject such extremism that
infects too many of our
402
00:28:01,046 --> 00:28:03,486
young people.
403
00:28:03,481 --> 00:28:06,051
Part of that effort must be
a continued rejection by
404
00:28:06,051 --> 00:28:10,091
Muslims of those who distort
Islam to preach intolerance
405
00:28:10,088 --> 00:28:14,388
and promote violence, and
it must also a rejection by
406
00:28:14,392 --> 00:28:17,532
non-Muslims of the ignorance
that equates Islam with terror.
407
00:28:17,529 --> 00:28:20,399
(applause)
408
00:28:27,839 --> 00:28:29,509
This work will take time.
409
00:28:29,507 --> 00:28:33,647
There are no easy
answers to Syria.
410
00:28:33,645 --> 00:28:36,385
And there are no simple
answers to the changes that
411
00:28:36,381 --> 00:28:38,681
are taking place in much of
the Middle East and
412
00:28:38,683 --> 00:28:40,683
North Africa.
413
00:28:42,954 --> 00:28:49,494
But so many families need
help right now; they don't
414
00:28:49,494 --> 00:28:50,494
have time.
415
00:28:50,495 --> 00:28:53,535
And that's why the United
States is increasing the
416
00:28:53,531 --> 00:28:58,541
number of refugees who we
welcome within our borders.
417
00:28:58,536 --> 00:29:00,676
That's why we will continue
to be the largest donor of
418
00:29:00,672 --> 00:29:03,472
assistance to support
those refugees.
419
00:29:03,475 --> 00:29:05,815
And today we are launching
new efforts to ensure that
420
00:29:05,810 --> 00:29:08,510
our people and our
businesses, our universities
421
00:29:08,513 --> 00:29:12,283
and our NGOs can help as
well -- because in the faces
422
00:29:12,283 --> 00:29:17,023
of suffering families, our
nation of immigrants
423
00:29:17,021 --> 00:29:19,021
sees ourselves.
424
00:29:20,625 --> 00:29:22,765
Of course, in the old ways
of thinking, the plight of
425
00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:25,460
the powerless, the plight of
refugees, the plight of the
426
00:29:25,463 --> 00:29:28,333
marginalized did not matter.
427
00:29:28,333 --> 00:29:30,973
They were on the periphery
of the world's concerns.
428
00:29:34,506 --> 00:29:37,776
Today, our concern for
them is driven not just by
429
00:29:37,775 --> 00:29:42,945
conscience, but should also
be drive by self-interest.
430
00:29:42,947 --> 00:29:45,287
For helping people who have
been pushed to the margins
431
00:29:45,283 --> 00:29:49,123
of our world is not mere
charity, it is a matter of
432
00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:50,120
collective security.
433
00:29:50,121 --> 00:29:54,191
And the purpose of this
institution is not merely to
434
00:29:54,192 --> 00:29:56,732
avoid conflict, it is to
galvanize the collective
435
00:29:56,728 --> 00:29:58,868
action that makes life
better on this planet.
436
00:30:02,100 --> 00:30:04,100
The commitments we've
made to the Sustainable
437
00:30:04,102 --> 00:30:06,102
Development Goals
speak to this truth.
438
00:30:08,239 --> 00:30:10,239
I believe that capitalism
has been the greatest
439
00:30:10,241 --> 00:30:12,981
creator of wealth and
opportunity that the world
440
00:30:12,977 --> 00:30:14,977
has ever known.
441
00:30:16,381 --> 00:30:19,221
But from big cities to rural
villages around the world,
442
00:30:19,217 --> 00:30:22,957
we also know that prosperity
is still cruelly out of
443
00:30:22,954 --> 00:30:24,954
reach for too many.
444
00:30:27,392 --> 00:30:31,832
As His Holiness Pope Francis
reminds us, we are stronger
445
00:30:31,829 --> 00:30:37,499
when we value the least
among these, and see them as
446
00:30:37,502 --> 00:30:42,672
equal in dignity to
ourselves and our sons and
447
00:30:42,674 --> 00:30:44,674
our daughters.
448
00:30:46,277 --> 00:30:48,917
We can roll back preventable
disease and end the scourge
449
00:30:48,913 --> 00:30:51,053
of HIV/AIDS.
450
00:30:51,049 --> 00:30:55,549
We can stamp out pandemics
that recognize no borders.
451
00:30:55,553 --> 00:30:58,523
That work may not be on
television right now, but as
452
00:30:58,523 --> 00:31:01,663
we demonstrated in reversing
the spread of Ebola, it can
453
00:31:01,659 --> 00:31:03,659
save more lives than
anything else we can do.
454
00:31:06,397 --> 00:31:09,167
Together, we can eradicate
extreme poverty and erase
455
00:31:09,167 --> 00:31:11,467
barriers to opportunity.
456
00:31:11,469 --> 00:31:13,469
But this requires a
sustained commitment to our
457
00:31:13,471 --> 00:31:17,441
people -- so farmers can
feed more people; so
458
00:31:17,442 --> 00:31:19,442
entrepreneurs can start a
business without paying a
459
00:31:19,444 --> 00:31:21,944
bribe; so young people have
the skills they need to
460
00:31:21,946 --> 00:31:25,116
succeed in this modern,
knowledge-based economy.
461
00:31:28,052 --> 00:31:30,422
We can promote growth
through trade that meets a
462
00:31:30,421 --> 00:31:31,421
higher standard.
463
00:31:31,422 --> 00:31:33,722
And that's what we're doing
through the Trans-Pacific
464
00:31:33,725 --> 00:31:36,525
Partnership -- a trade
agreement that encompasses
465
00:31:36,527 --> 00:31:40,227
nearly 40 percent of the
global economy; an agreement
466
00:31:40,231 --> 00:31:42,471
that will open markets,
while protecting the rights
467
00:31:42,467 --> 00:31:46,107
of workers and protecting
the environment that enables
468
00:31:46,104 --> 00:31:48,104
development to be sustained.
469
00:31:50,308 --> 00:31:52,808
We can roll back the
pollution that we put in our
470
00:31:52,810 --> 00:31:57,080
skies, and help economies
lift people out of poverty
471
00:31:57,081 --> 00:31:59,621
without condemning our
children to the ravages of
472
00:31:59,617 --> 00:32:01,617
an ever-warming climate.
473
00:32:03,354 --> 00:32:06,924
The same ingenuity that
produced the Industrial Age
474
00:32:06,924 --> 00:32:10,124
and the Computer Age allows
us to harness the potential
475
00:32:10,128 --> 00:32:12,128
of clean energy.
476
00:32:13,164 --> 00:32:15,634
No country can escape the
ravages of climate change.
477
00:32:15,633 --> 00:32:18,603
And there is no stronger
sign of leadership than
478
00:32:18,603 --> 00:32:20,673
putting future
generations first.
479
00:32:20,672 --> 00:32:24,842
The United States will work
with every nation that is
480
00:32:24,842 --> 00:32:27,912
willing to do its part so
that we can come together in
481
00:32:27,912 --> 00:32:30,382
Paris to decisively
confront this challenge.
482
00:32:36,087 --> 00:32:41,097
And finally, our vision for
the future of this Assembly,
483
00:32:43,361 --> 00:32:51,171
my belief in moving forward
rather than backwards,
484
00:32:51,169 --> 00:32:54,209
requires us to defend the
democratic principles that
485
00:32:54,205 --> 00:32:56,205
allow societies to succeed.
486
00:33:00,011 --> 00:33:03,711
Let me start from a simple
premise: Catastrophes, like
487
00:33:03,715 --> 00:33:06,255
what we are seeing in
Syria, do not take place in
488
00:33:06,250 --> 00:33:08,920
countries where there is
genuine democracy and
489
00:33:08,920 --> 00:33:11,720
respect for the universal
values this institution is
490
00:33:11,723 --> 00:33:12,453
supposed to defend.
491
00:33:12,457 --> 00:33:15,157
(applause)
492
00:33:22,166 --> 00:33:24,366
I recognize that democracy
is going to take different
493
00:33:24,369 --> 00:33:27,809
forms in different
parts of the world.
494
00:33:27,805 --> 00:33:31,145
The very idea of a people
governing themselves depends
495
00:33:31,142 --> 00:33:35,212
upon government giving
expression to their unique
496
00:33:35,213 --> 00:33:37,683
culture, their unique
history, their
497
00:33:37,682 --> 00:33:40,552
unique experiences.
498
00:33:40,551 --> 00:33:42,751
But some universal
truths are self-evident.
499
00:33:45,757 --> 00:33:48,597
No person wants to be
imprisoned for peaceful worship.
500
00:33:51,028 --> 00:33:55,668
No woman should ever be
abused with impunity, or a
501
00:33:55,666 --> 00:33:57,666
girl barred from
going to school.
502
00:34:00,171 --> 00:34:02,771
The freedom to peacefully
petition those in power
503
00:34:02,774 --> 00:34:06,074
without fear of arbitrary
laws -- these are not ideas
504
00:34:06,077 --> 00:34:08,077
of one country
or one culture.
505
00:34:10,448 --> 00:34:12,688
They are fundamental
to human progress.
506
00:34:14,786 --> 00:34:17,926
They are a cornerstone
of this institution.
507
00:34:21,759 --> 00:34:23,759
I realize that in many parts
of the world there is a
508
00:34:23,761 --> 00:34:27,331
different view -- a belief
that strong leadership must
509
00:34:27,331 --> 00:34:29,331
tolerate no dissent.
510
00:34:31,068 --> 00:34:33,508
I hear it not only from
America's adversaries, but
511
00:34:33,504 --> 00:34:35,504
privately at least I also
hear it from some of
512
00:34:35,506 --> 00:34:37,506
our friends.
513
00:34:38,943 --> 00:34:40,943
I disagree.
514
00:34:42,146 --> 00:34:44,886
I believe a government that
suppresses peaceful dissent
515
00:34:44,882 --> 00:34:47,852
is not showing strength; it
is showing weakness and it
516
00:34:47,852 --> 00:34:48,352
is showing fear.
517
00:34:48,352 --> 00:34:51,592
(applause)
518
00:34:51,989 --> 00:35:01,229
History shows that regimes
who fear their own people
519
00:35:01,232 --> 00:35:06,542
will eventually crumble, but
strong institutions built on
520
00:35:09,607 --> 00:35:15,047
the consent of the governed
endure long after any one
521
00:35:15,046 --> 00:35:17,046
individual is gone.
522
00:35:18,216 --> 00:35:21,656
That's why our strongest
leaders -- from George
523
00:35:21,652 --> 00:35:26,662
Washington to Nelson Mandela
-- have elevated the
524
00:35:26,657 --> 00:35:28,797
importance of building
strong, democratic
525
00:35:28,793 --> 00:35:32,963
institutions over a thirst
for perpetual power.
526
00:35:35,833 --> 00:35:37,833
Leaders who amend
constitutions to stay in
527
00:35:37,835 --> 00:35:40,675
office only acknowledge
that they failed to build a
528
00:35:40,671 --> 00:35:45,011
successful country for their
people -- because none of us
529
00:35:45,009 --> 00:35:47,009
last forever.
530
00:35:48,112 --> 00:35:52,522
It tells us that power is
something they cling to for
531
00:35:52,517 --> 00:35:56,587
its own sake, rather than
for the betterment of those
532
00:35:56,587 --> 00:35:58,587
they purport to serve.
533
00:36:00,758 --> 00:36:02,798
I understand democracy
is frustrating.
534
00:36:04,962 --> 00:36:07,402
Democracy in the United
States is certainly imperfect.
535
00:36:09,734 --> 00:36:11,734
At times, it can even
be dysfunctional.
536
00:36:14,171 --> 00:36:16,871
But democracy -- the
constant struggle to extend
537
00:36:16,874 --> 00:36:19,344
rights to more of our
people, to give more people
538
00:36:19,343 --> 00:36:22,413
a voice -- is what allowed
us to become the most
539
00:36:22,413 --> 00:36:23,713
powerful nation
in the world.
540
00:36:23,714 --> 00:36:29,754
(applause)
541
00:36:29,754 --> 00:36:32,554
It's not simply a matter
of principle; it's not
542
00:36:32,557 --> 00:36:33,557
an abstraction.
543
00:36:33,558 --> 00:36:35,998
Democracy -- inclusive
democracy -- makes
544
00:36:35,993 --> 00:36:37,993
countries stronger.
545
00:36:39,597 --> 00:36:41,897
When opposition parties
can seek power peacefully
546
00:36:41,899 --> 00:36:45,569
through the ballot, a
country draws upon new ideas.
547
00:36:48,372 --> 00:36:50,842
When a free media can inform
the public, corruption and
548
00:36:50,841 --> 00:36:54,811
abuse are exposed and
can be rooted out.
549
00:36:56,814 --> 00:36:59,684
When civil society thrives,
communities can solve
550
00:36:59,684 --> 00:37:03,624
problems that governments
cannot necessarily solve alone.
551
00:37:06,624 --> 00:37:08,794
When immigrants are
welcomed, countries are more
552
00:37:08,793 --> 00:37:10,693
productive and more vibrant.
553
00:37:10,695 --> 00:37:13,565
When girls can go to school,
and get a job, and pursue
554
00:37:13,564 --> 00:37:15,904
unlimited opportunity,
that's when a country
555
00:37:15,900 --> 00:37:16,970
realizes its full potential.
556
00:37:16,968 --> 00:37:19,038
(applause)
557
00:37:28,112 --> 00:37:32,282
That is what I believe is
America's greatest strength.
558
00:37:32,283 --> 00:37:35,383
Not everybody in
America agrees with me.
559
00:37:35,386 --> 00:37:37,386
That's part of democracy.
560
00:37:39,323 --> 00:37:41,893
I believe that the fact that
you can walk the streets of
561
00:37:41,892 --> 00:37:45,492
this city right now and pass
churches and synagogues and
562
00:37:45,496 --> 00:37:49,866
temples and mosques, where
people worship freely; the
563
00:37:49,867 --> 00:37:51,967
fact that our nation of
immigrants mirrors the
564
00:37:51,969 --> 00:37:54,339
diversity of the world --
you can find everybody from
565
00:37:54,338 --> 00:37:55,338
everywhere here
in New York City -
566
00:37:55,339 --> 00:37:57,179
(applause)
567
00:37:57,174 --> 00:38:00,214
-- the fact that, in this
country, everybody can
568
00:38:00,211 --> 00:38:04,751
contribute, everybody can
participate no matter who
569
00:38:04,749 --> 00:38:10,289
they are, or what they look
like, or who they love --
570
00:38:10,287 --> 00:38:13,457
that's what makes us strong.
571
00:38:13,457 --> 00:38:15,757
And I believe that what is
true for America is true for
572
00:38:15,760 --> 00:38:18,000
virtually all
mature democracies.
573
00:38:17,995 --> 00:38:19,995
And that is no accident.
574
00:38:22,033 --> 00:38:24,333
We can be proud of our
nations without defining
575
00:38:24,335 --> 00:38:27,775
ourselves in opposition
to some other group.
576
00:38:30,307 --> 00:38:33,247
We can be patriotic without
demonizing someone else.
577
00:38:33,244 --> 00:38:36,184
We can cherish our own
identities -- our religion,
578
00:38:36,180 --> 00:38:39,650
our ethnicity, our
traditions -- without
579
00:38:39,650 --> 00:38:41,650
putting others down.
580
00:38:43,120 --> 00:38:46,820
Our systems are premised on
the notion that absolute
581
00:38:46,824 --> 00:38:54,034
power will corrupt, but that
people -- ordinary people --
582
00:38:54,031 --> 00:38:57,701
are fundamentally good;
that they value family and
583
00:38:57,702 --> 00:39:02,912
friendship, faith and the
dignity of hard work; and
584
00:39:02,907 --> 00:39:05,807
that with appropriate checks
and balances, governments
585
00:39:05,810 --> 00:39:08,810
can reflect this goodness.
586
00:39:12,550 --> 00:39:16,190
I believe that's the future
we must seek together.
587
00:39:16,187 --> 00:39:19,787
To believe in the dignity of
every individual, to believe
588
00:39:19,790 --> 00:39:22,360
we can bridge our
differences, and choose
589
00:39:22,359 --> 00:39:26,469
cooperation over conflict --
that is not weakness, that
590
00:39:26,464 --> 00:39:27,434
is strength.
591
00:39:27,431 --> 00:39:34,201
(applause)
592
00:39:34,205 --> 00:39:37,675
It is a practical necessity
in this interconnected world.
593
00:39:37,675 --> 00:39:41,345
And our people
understand this.
594
00:39:43,514 --> 00:39:45,684
Think of the Liberian doctor
who went door-to-door to
595
00:39:45,683 --> 00:39:49,653
search for Ebola cases, and
to tell families what to do
596
00:39:49,653 --> 00:39:51,653
if they show symptoms.
597
00:39:53,457 --> 00:39:55,457
Think of the Iranian
shopkeeper who said, after
598
00:39:55,459 --> 00:39:58,599
the nuclear deal, "God
willing, now we'll be able
599
00:39:58,596 --> 00:40:00,596
to offer many more
goods at better prices."
600
00:40:03,634 --> 00:40:06,604
Think of the Americans who
lowered the flag over our
601
00:40:06,604 --> 00:40:10,504
embassy in Havana in 1961 --
the year I was born -- and
602
00:40:10,508 --> 00:40:14,348
returned this summer to
raise that flag back up.
603
00:40:14,345 --> 00:40:20,915
(applause)
604
00:40:20,918 --> 00:40:24,018
One of these men said of the
Cuban people, "We could do
605
00:40:24,021 --> 00:40:26,021
things for them, and they
could do things for us.
606
00:40:26,023 --> 00:40:27,993
We loved them."
607
00:40:30,961 --> 00:40:36,201
For 50 years, we
ignored that fact.
608
00:40:38,602 --> 00:40:41,372
Think of the families
leaving everything they've
609
00:40:41,372 --> 00:40:47,412
known behind, risking barren
deserts and stormy waters
610
00:40:47,411 --> 00:40:51,511
just to find shelter; just
to save their children.
611
00:40:53,551 --> 00:40:56,691
One Syrian refugee who was
greeted in Hamburg with warm
612
00:40:56,687 --> 00:41:01,627
greetings and shelter, said,
"We feel there are still
613
00:41:01,625 --> 00:41:04,065
some people who
love other people."
614
00:41:04,061 --> 00:41:10,071
The people of our United
Nations are not as different
615
00:41:13,571 --> 00:41:15,571
as they are told.
616
00:41:18,509 --> 00:41:24,179
They can be made to fear;
they can be taught to hate
617
00:41:26,317 --> 00:41:28,317
-- but they can also
respond to hope.
618
00:41:32,056 --> 00:41:35,526
History is littered with the
failure of false prophets
619
00:41:35,526 --> 00:41:39,896
and fallen empires who
believed that might always
620
00:41:39,897 --> 00:41:43,197
makes right, and that will
continue to be the case.
621
00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:45,200
You can count on that.
622
00:41:47,137 --> 00:41:49,577
But we are called upon to
offer a different type of
623
00:41:49,573 --> 00:41:54,213
leadership -- leadership
strong enough to recognize
624
00:41:54,211 --> 00:41:57,551
that nations share common
interests and people share a
625
00:41:57,548 --> 00:42:03,318
common humanity, and, yes,
there are certain ideas and
626
00:42:03,320 --> 00:42:05,320
principles that
are universal.
627
00:42:07,524 --> 00:42:10,524
That's what those who shaped
the United Nations 70 years
628
00:42:10,527 --> 00:42:11,527
ago understood.
629
00:42:11,528 --> 00:42:16,368
Let us carry forward that
faith into the future -- for
630
00:42:16,367 --> 00:42:18,807
it is the only way we can
assure that future will be
631
00:42:18,802 --> 00:42:22,472
brighter for my
children, and for yours.
632
00:42:22,473 --> 00:42:24,973
Thank you very much.
633
00:42:24,975 --> 00:42:27,115
(applause)
