Speaking to the United Nations General Assembly on September 19, President George W. Bush said that many people in the Middle East continue to face the “dismal” alternatives of authoritarian rulers who use propaganda and conspiracy theories to blame others for their country’s shortcomings and extremists who preach violence, terror and martyrdom. Some Middle Eastern countries have governments that are both authoritarian and extremist.
In his speech to the U-N General Assembly, Mr. Bush directly addressed the people of one of those countries – Iran:
“The United States respects you; we respect your country. We admire your rich history, your vibrant culture, and your many contributions to civilization. You deserve an opportunity to determine your own future, an economy that rewards your intelligence and your talents, and a society that allows you to fulfill your tremendous potential. The greatest obstacle to this future is that your rulers have chosen to deny you liberty and to use your nation's resources to fund terrorism, and fuel extremism, and pursue nuclear weapons.”
The United Nations, said President Bush, has passed a clear resolution requiring Iran’s government to meet its international obligations and abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.
President Bush was clear about the expectations of the international community from the regime. On the one hand, he reassured the Iranian people:
“Despite what the regime tells you, we have no objection to Iran's pursuit of a truly peaceful nuclear power program. We're working toward a diplomatic solution to this crisis.” (END ACT)
But on the other hand, said President Bush, "The United Nations has passed a clear resolution requiring that the regime in Tehran meet its international obligations. Iran must abandon its nuclear weapons program." The United States, said President George W. Bush, looks to the day when the people of Iran can live in freedom, and the United States and Iran can be good friends and close partners in the cause of peace.
The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.