'We believe in human dignity,' Bush tells the UN
UNITED NATIONS Ñ Calling for the advance of political freedoms and global liberty through the medium of human dignity, President George W. Bush presented a focused and forceful address before the United Nations General Assembly. His speech heralding the worldwide march of freedom equally underscored specific socio/economic American
commitments to human dignity as a transformative force in society. It was a stirring address indifferently received by delegations from the UNÕs 191 member states.
Delegates sat stoically through the speech which moreover evoked a college professor lecturing a class which is obliged to attend, but which sits through the lecture with icy silence and often sullen indifference. The political electric which often accompanies a Presidential address was missing, replaced by a perceptible unease and perfunctory applause. What then is so controversial about this message?
ÒDefending our ideals is vital but it is not enoughÓ the President told delegates ÒOur broader mission as UN members is to apply these ideals to the great issues of our time. Our wider goal is to promote hope and progress as the alternative to hatred and violence. Our great purpose is to build a better world beyond the war on terror.Ó
ÒBecause we believe in human dignityÓ Bush implored, Òthe U.S. has established a global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malariaÉAmerica has joined to confront the evil of trafficking in human beingsÉwomen and children should never be exploited for pleasure or greed anywhere on earthÉwe should take seriously the protection of life from exploitation under any pretext...I urge all governments to affirm a basic ethical principle: no human life should never be produced and destroyed for the benefit for another.Ó
ÒBecause we believe in human dignityÉ. the U.S. supports a wider war on poverty and the curbing of global corruption and acting to lift the crushing burden of financial debt in developing nations.Ó
He called for an end to religious violence and ethnic cleansing. Moreover the President stressed ÒBecause we believe in human dignity peaceful nations must stand for the advance of democracy. No other system of government has done more to protect minorities, to secure the rights of labor, to raise the status of women or to channel human energy to the pursuits of peace.Ó
ÒWhen it comes to the desire for liberty and justice, there is no clash of civilizations. People everywhere are capable of freedom, and worthy of freedom,Ó he stated.
Addressing post-Saddam Iraq Bush stressed, ÒA democratic Iraq has ruthless enemies Ñ because terrorists know the stakes in that country. They know that a free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will be a decisive blow for their ambitions for that region.Ó
ThereÕs little doubt that as nationwide Iraqi elections approach in January, terrorist violence will surge in a bid to distract, dislocate and intimidate the voters. But
Bush advised, ÒThe proper response to difficulty is not to retreat Ñ it is to prevail.Ó
While the PresidentÕs specific tactics on Iraq have to be recalibrated, and his moves towards widening international support both inside Iraq and in the global arena have been part and part of the Bush policy for well over a year Interestingly not long after the address NATO ministers meeting separately stated that a contingent of 300 European military trainers will be sent to Iraq. Though France opposed this initiative, wider support from NATO continues.
Beyond Britain, many other NATO countries such as Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland deploy troops in Iraq alongside American forces
ÒThe security of our world is found in the advancing rights of mankind,Ó Bush advised.
This speech was a strong and heady charge, well calibrated, well delivered but not well received. Despite its heady dose of neo-Wilsonian optimism about the realistic chances for global democracy, Bush confessed, ÒI have faith in the transforming power of freedom.Ó
John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense
issues. He writes weekly for World Tribune.com.  |
