"The advance of freedom and security is the calling of our time," said President George W. Bush in an address to the United Nations General Assembly. Mr. Bush said advancing these principles "requires building the institutions that sustain freedom:"
"Democracy takes different forms in different cultures, yet all free societies have certain things in common. Democratic nations uphold the rule of law, impose limits on the power of the state, treat women and minorities as full citizens. Democratic nations protect private property, free speech and religious expression. Democratic nations grow in strength because they reward and respect the creative gifts of their people. And democratic nations contribute to peace and stability because they seek national greatness in the achievements of their citizens, not the conquest of their neighbors. For these reasons, the whole world has a vital interest in the success of a free Iraq."
The U.S.-led coalition that liberated the Iraqi people from the Saddam Hussein dictatorship is still working to help bring liberty, security, and stability to Iraq. President Bush said the free world must "continue working together to help the Iraqi people establish a new nation that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself":
"The United Nations and its member states must continue to stand by the Iraqi people as they complete the journey to a fully constitutional government. And when Iraqis complete their journey, their success will inspire others to claim their freedom, the Middle East will grow in peace and hope and liberty, and all of us will live in a safer world."
Another way to ensure a safer world, President Bush said, is to continue the fight against global terrorism. "Confronting our enemies is essential," he said, "and so civilized nations will continue to take the fight to the terrorists. Yet we know that this war will not be won by force of arms alone. We must defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and we must also defeat them in the battle of ideas."
The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.
