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| Bush Urges World to Crack Down on Terror |
| 2005-09-14 |
| Ah, the AP at it's very best... By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer UNITED NATIONS - Before skeptical world leaders, President Bush on Wednesday urged compassion for the needy and pressed the global community to crack down on terrorists plotting deadly attacks. Addressing more than 160 presidents, prime ministers and kings gathered for three days of U.N. General Assembly meetings, Bush sought to sell his blueprints for spreading democracy in Iraq and elsewhere, overhauling the United Nations and expanding trade. "As we fight, the terrorists must know that the world stands united against them," Bush said. Those gathered before him — including many who harbor lingering bitterness about the U.S.-led war in Iraq — sat silently throughout the 25-minute speech, reflecting tradition. Bush pressed for Security Council approval — which quickly followed — of a resolution calling upon all nations to adopt laws prohibiting the incitement of terrorist acts. The measure had been circulated by Britain in the wake of this summer's bus and subway bombings in London. Later, sitting at the Security Council's horseshoe-shaped table, Bush applauded its adoption: "We have a solemn obligation to stop terrorism at its early stages," he said. Before the General Assembly, the president also asked nations to follow his lead and sign a Russian-sponsored treaty that would require the prosecution and extradition of anyone seeking radioactive materials or nuclear devices."We must send a clear message to the rulers of outlaw regimes that sponsor terror and pursue weapons of mass murder: You will not be allowed to threaten the peace and stability of the world," Bush said. The president gave his annual speech to a packed hall in which there was dissatisfaction that the American president does not support an international treaty on global warming and has not promised to donate foreign aid at a level more proportionate to other rich nations. But Bush tried to impress upon his audience the urgency of addressing the world's problems as he sees them. Hoping to prod progress toward a global trade agreement, he said the United States would eliminate all agricultural tariffs, subsidies and other barriers to the free flow of goods and services if other nations do the same — a move he said is key to overcoming poverty in the neediest nations. "By expanding trade, we spread hope and opportunity to the corners of the world, and we strike a blow against the terrorists who feed on anger and resentment," Bush said. He asked world leaders to partner in his second-term pledge to spread democracy, even in unlikely or unreceptive places, and touted U.S. efforts to battle AIDS in Africa and prevent a bird flu pandemic. And, seeking broader support for U.S. engagement in Iraq, Bush said the whole world has a stake in fostering democracy there. "The U.N. and its member states must continue to stand by the Iraqi people as they continue their journey," he said."It's an exciting opportunity for all of us in this chamber," he told an assembly of nations, many of whom had bitterly opposed the U.S. decision to go to war. Reaching out to Africa, Bush pledged the United States would provide training for more than 40,000 African peacekeepers over the next five years "to preserve justice and order in Africa." Bush, who arrived in New York with the lowest approval ratings of his presidency and the perception his administration mishandled hurricane relief, switched to diplomatic duties after two weeks of nearly constant attention to Hurricane Katrina. The Katrina problem wasn't far away, however: Bush scheduled a prime-time address from Louisiana on Thursday night and he gave it top billing in his General Assembly speech, thanking the more than 115 nations and nearly a dozen international organizations who have sent offers of money, equipment and other aid pouring into the United States."We have witnessed the awesome power of nature and the greater power of human compassion," the president said. "We are all confident that America will overcome this natural disaster," said Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, opening the Security Council session. On the sidelines of the U.N. meetings, Bush met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, saying he was inspired by Sharon's "courageous decision" to evacuate Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip. The president urged Palestinians to "come together and establish a government that will be peaceful with Israel" and asked Arab states to help Palestinians create a successful economy. "I want to work together to see the vision of peace come to be," he said. Israel withdrew the last of its troops from Gaza on Monday and handed control to the Palestinians, a move that is seen as a test for Palestinian aspirations for an independent state. However, chaos has followed as abandoned settlements were looted and thousands rushed back and forth across the Gaza-Egyptian border. |
| Posted by:Achmeds Guns R Us |
| #5 World blows rasberries back to Bush |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-09-14 18:19 |
| #4 JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer - 'nough said. |
| Posted by: DMFD 2005-09-14 17:59 |
| #3 Futility is defined as calling for a crackdown on terrorism from an organization which can't agree on a definition of terrorism. |
| Posted by: Omort Gloluse2712 2005-09-14 17:33 |
| #2 What do you have against the Swiss? |
| Posted by: Huposing Phaitle9864 2005-09-14 15:56 |
| #1 A good start would be to crack down on corruption at the UN. Withdrawing our funding and sending it packing to Geneva would be a nice start to that process. That and nuking every country that so much as looks at us funny. |
| Posted by: mmurray821 2005-09-14 15:25 |