Standing before Germany’s Brandenburg Gate, which, after the Cold War of the 20th century, has come to symbolize the triumph of freedom over tyranny, unity over division, President Barack Obama warned Western democracies against complacency:
“Today’s threats are not as stark as they were half a century ago, but the struggle for freedom and security and human dignity – that struggle goes on.”
Mr. Obama said the current generation wants and needs “peace with justice.” And that demands a series of behaviors and responses: tolerance of differences; the promotion of free enterprise that unleashes the talents and creativity residing in every individual; extending a hand to those who reach for freedom wherever they live; refusing to condemn our children to a harsher, less hospitable planet; helping to lift to prosperity the impoverished corners of the world; and sustaining both the security of our societies and the openness that defines them.
President Obama also said, “Peace with justice means pursuing the security of a world without nuclear weapons, no matter how distant that dream may be.” Mr. Obama noted that as president he has strengthened efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and reduce the number and role of America’s nuclear weapons. “Because of the new START Treaty, we’re on track to cut American and Russian deployed nuclear warheads to their lowest levels since the 1950’s,” said Mr. Obama. “But we have more work to do:”
“So today, I’m announcing additional steps forward. After a comprehensive review, I’ve determined that we can ensure the security of America and our allies and maintain a strong and credible strategic deterrent while reducing our deployed strategic nuclear weapons by up to one-third. And I intend to seek negotiated cuts with Russia to move beyond Cold War nuclear postures.”
At the same time, Mr. Obama said, the U.S. will work with NATO allies “to seek bold reductions in U.S. and Russian tactical weapons in Europe. And we can forge a new international framework for peaceful nuclear power [and] reject the nuclear weaponization that North Korea and Iran may be seeking.”
Mr. Obama pledged “to build support in the United States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear –Test-Ban Treaty,” and he called on all nations “to begin negotiations on a treaty that ends the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.”
“These, said President Obama, “are steps we can take to create a world of peace with justice.”
“Today’s threats are not as stark as they were half a century ago, but the struggle for freedom and security and human dignity – that struggle goes on.”U.S. President Barack Obama
“Today’s threats are not as stark as they were half a century ago, but the struggle for freedom and security and human dignity – that struggle goes on.”
Mr. Obama said the current generation wants and needs “peace with justice.” And that demands a series of behaviors and responses: tolerance of differences; the promotion of free enterprise that unleashes the talents and creativity residing in every individual; extending a hand to those who reach for freedom wherever they live; refusing to condemn our children to a harsher, less hospitable planet; helping to lift to prosperity the impoverished corners of the world; and sustaining both the security of our societies and the openness that defines them.
President Obama also said, “Peace with justice means pursuing the security of a world without nuclear weapons, no matter how distant that dream may be.” Mr. Obama noted that as president he has strengthened efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and reduce the number and role of America’s nuclear weapons. “Because of the new START Treaty, we’re on track to cut American and Russian deployed nuclear warheads to their lowest levels since the 1950’s,” said Mr. Obama. “But we have more work to do:”
“So today, I’m announcing additional steps forward. After a comprehensive review, I’ve determined that we can ensure the security of America and our allies and maintain a strong and credible strategic deterrent while reducing our deployed strategic nuclear weapons by up to one-third. And I intend to seek negotiated cuts with Russia to move beyond Cold War nuclear postures.”
At the same time, Mr. Obama said, the U.S. will work with NATO allies “to seek bold reductions in U.S. and Russian tactical weapons in Europe. And we can forge a new international framework for peaceful nuclear power [and] reject the nuclear weaponization that North Korea and Iran may be seeking.”
Mr. Obama pledged “to build support in the United States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear –Test-Ban Treaty,” and he called on all nations “to begin negotiations on a treaty that ends the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.”
“These, said President Obama, “are steps we can take to create a world of peace with justice.”
