"Whose Report Will You Believe?"

President Bush Addresses United Nations General Assembly
United Nations Headquarters
New York, New York

September 23, 2008
10:12 A.M. EDT


THE PRESIDENT:

...By deliberately murdering the innocent to advance their aims, these extremists defy the fundamental principles of international order. They show contempt for all who respect life and value human dignity. They reject the words of the Bible, the Koran, the Torah, or any standard of conscience or morality. They imperil the values of justice and human rights that gave birth to the United Nations -- values that have fueled an unprecedented expansion of freedom across the world.

...With the brutal nature of the extremists increasingly clear, the coalition of nations confronting terror is growing stronger. Over the past seven years, Afghanistan and Iraq have been transformed from regimes that actively sponsor terror to democracies that fight terror. Libya has renounced its support for terror and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Nations like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are actively pursuing the terrorists. A few nations -- regimes like Syria and Iran -- continue to sponsor terror. Yet their numbers are growing fewer, and they're growing more isolated from the world.

As the 21st century unfolds, some may be tempted to assume that the threat has receded. This would be comforting; it would be wrong. The terrorists believe time is on their side, so they made waiting out civilized nations part of their strategy. We must not allow them to succeed. The nations of this body must stand united in the fight against terror.

We must continue working to deny the terrorists refuge anywhere in the world, including ungoverned spaces. We must remain vigilant against proliferation -- by fully implementing the terms of Security Council Resolution 1540, and enforcing sanctions against North Korea and Iran. We must not relent until our people are safe from this threat to civilization...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080923-5.html




Bush calls for action against Iran
Tue, 23 Sep 2008
16:14:44 GMT

US President George W. Bush questions Iran's place in 'the modern world', calling for a front to take action against the country.

President Bush, under fire for a major economic crisis at home, in his final address to the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday accused Tehran of 'continuing to sponsor terrorism' - without providing any proof.

The Bush administration has long blamed Iran for the violence in Iraq, a country that is under US military occupation. Iran rejects the allegation, saying it only seeks the restoration of security and stability in Iraq.

"A few nations - regimes like Syria and Iran - continue to sponsor terror, yet their numbers are growing fewer and they are growing more isolated from the world," said Bush.

He added that a nation that supports 'terrorism has no place in the modern world', suggesting that the international community should take action against Iran.

Showing no desire for improvement of Tehran-Washington relations, President Bush then raised the issue of the Iranian nuclear program, calling for global support to impose a new round of sanctions against the country.

Amid simmering tensions between the White House and the Kremlin, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that he would only accept a follow-up to negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, adding that Moscow would block further sanctions on Tehran.

Under US pressure the United Nations Security Council has so far imposed three rounds of economic sanctions against Iran, demanding the country halt its uranium enrichment despite the UN nuclear watchdog confirming the 'non-diversion' of Tehran's existing nuclear activities.

Contrary to the findings of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the US accuses Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons. In its latest report, the IAEA announced that it could not find any 'components of a nuclear weapon' or 'related nuclear physics studies' in the country.

The Bush administration has long threatened Tehran with war under the pretext that a nuclear-armed country in the Middle East would pose a threat to Israel - the sole possessor of a nuclear arsenal in the region.
Shortly after Bush's speech, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told the general assembly that Europe supports 'Iran's right to peaceful nuclear activities'.

President Sarkozy, however, warned that the European Union would not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran since it would pose a threat to Israel - which considers Tehran as its top foe.

Iran has repeatedly said that it has no use for an atomic bomb, stressing that weapons of mass destructions have no place in its defensive doctrine.

Tehran also contends that it has never launched an attack or been involved in any act of aggression against any party, rejecting the allegations that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seeks to 'wipe Israel off the map'.

MD/HGH

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=70349&sectionid=351020104



Iran: US main cause of global woes
Tue, 23 Sep 2008
10:49:00 GMT

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says that the United States is the root cause of the woes in the world.

"The US makes endless allegations against Iran's nuclear program while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that all nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic were legal," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the fringes of the 63rd annual session of the UN General Assembly.

He expressed hope the UN would successfully establish peace and stability in all parts of the world. "We should support independence, national unity and the integrity of Iraq and strive to resolve the country's problems through talks," the Iranian president added.

He pointed to the circumstances in Afghanistan and said, "NATO policies have led to the spread of extremism and an increase of narcotics production in the country."

Ahmadinejad expressed concerns over the present situation in Palestine, saying, "A food and medicine blockade has been imposed on the Palestinian people. Time is ripe to put an end to aggression and looting in Palestine."

Iran has a plan on holding a referendum in Palestine with the aim of determining the fate of its nation, he added, saying the plan will be sent to Ban in the near future.

The UN Secretary-General condemned a non-peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear case, saying it would not work.

He pointed to the situation in Palestine and said that the United Nations is the only international organization which sends humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Ban praised Iran's efforts aimed at stabilizing the Lebanese government.

SF/JG/BGH

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=70315&sectionid=351020101

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