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Skriven 2005-09-14 23:32:34 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0509143) for Wed, 2005 Sep 14
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Fact Sheet: President Bush Addresses the United Nations High-Level Plenary
Meeting
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 14, 2005

Fact Sheet: President Bush Addresses the United Nations High-Level Plenary
Meeting



Today, President Bush Addressed The Delegates Of The United Nations (UN)
General Assembly. The President outlined an agenda of progress and reform
to advance the UN's vital work and ideals by confronting the scourge of
terrorism, fighting poverty and disease in developing nations, and
spreading human liberty. By working together, the members of the UN will
create the conditions for progress and peace in this new century.

  þ President Bush Thanked The UN And Member Countries For Contributions To
    Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts. In this time of great challenge for
    the United States, many nations have sent a clear message that the
    American people are not alone. Assistance is pouring into the Gulf
    Coast from virtually every corner of the globe. More than 115 countries
    and nearly a dozen international organizations have offered assistance.
    Our Nation is lifted and strengthened by the care and support of the
    international community.

  þ The President Challenged The International Community To Help Developing
    Nations Through Free Trade. The international community must work
    together in the Doha negotiations to eliminate agricultural subsidies
    that distort trade and stunt development, and to eliminate tariffs and
    other barriers to open markets for farmers around the world. The United
    States is ready to eliminate all tariffs, subsidies, and other barriers
    to the free flow of goods and services as other nations do the same.
    This is key to overcoming poverty in the world's poorest nations - and
    promoting prosperity and opportunity for all nations.

Confronting The Threat Of Terrorism

  þ The Global Community Is Working To Confront Terrorism And Must Complete
    The Comprehensive Convention On International Terrorism. Terrorism has
    come to cities and countries across the globe. In response, nations
    have worked together to break up terrorist networks that cross borders
    while rooting out radical cells within their own borders. Terrorist
    sanctuaries have been removed and terrorist financing has been drained.
    As we fight, we must be clear about our purpose. The Comprehensive
    Convention on International Terrorism must be completed to put every
    nation on record - the targeting and deliberate killing of civilians
    and non-combatants by terrorists cannot be justified or legitimized by
    any cause or grievance.

  þ The Global Community Is Working To Prevent The Proliferation Of Weapons
    Of Mass Destruction And Must Sign The International Convention On The
    Suppression Of Acts Of Nuclear Terrorism. The international community
    has joined together to break up and bring to justice terrorists who are
    trying to acquire these dangerous weapons. Already, more than 60
    nations have joined together in the Proliferation Security Initiative
    to intercept shipments of these weapons. Further, the nations of the
    world must sign the International Convention for the Suppression of
    Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The UN must send a clear message that it
    will not allow the rulers of outlaw regimes who sponsor terror and
    pursue weapons of mass murder to threaten the peace and stability of
    the world.

Fighting Poverty And Disease In Developing Nations

  þ Promoting Reform And Confronting Poverty In Developing Nations. The
    international community is taking steps to change the way it fights
    poverty, curbs corruption, and provides aid. In 2002, nations created
    the Monterrey Consensus linking new aid from developed nations to real
    reform in developing ones. Through the Millennium Challenge Account,
    the United States has increased its aid to developing nations and
    helped expand economic freedom and investment in education and health.
    These programs help unleash the entrepreneurial spirit in the
    developing world - and bring the citizens of these countries into the
    world economy.

  þ Confronting Global Health Epidemics Such As Avian Influenza. The
    President announced a new International Partnership on Avian and
    Pandemic Influenza that will bring together key nations and
    international organizations to improve global readiness on this growing
    threat. The Partnership will require transparency of nations to rapidly
    respond to dangerous outbreaks. For many countries, AIDS, malaria, and
    other diseases have become humanitarian tragedies and significant
    obstacles to development. The United States and other countries are
    working together to provide poor countries with emergency life-saving
    drugs they need to fight infectious epidemics. Through these efforts,
    we fulfill a moral duty to protect our citizens, heal the sick, and
    comfort the afflicted.

  þ Lifting The Crushing Burden Of Debt. The United States and many nations
    have acted to lift the financial burden that limits economic growth in
    developing countries and holds millions of people in poverty. Today,
    poor countries with the heaviest debt burdens are receiving more than
    $30 billion in debt relief. To prevent the future build-up of debt, the
    United States and other nations have agreed that international
    financial institutions should increasingly provide new aid in the form
    of grants, rather than loans.

  þ Promoting Free Trade Through The Successful Conclusion Of The Doha
    Round. The international community must reduce trade barriers and
    subsidies that hold developing economies back. The Doha Round is the
    most promising way to achieve this goal. The elimination of trade
    barriers under Doha could lift hundreds of millions of people out of
    poverty over the next 15 years. To help alleviate poverty in this new
    century, the Doha trade talks must be brought to a successful
    conclusion.

Spreading Human Liberty

  þ The Members Of The UN Must Work To Spread The Hope Of Freedom Around
    The World. Those who stand for human rights must also stand for human
    freedom. Freedom is the permanent hope of mankind, and free nations are
    peaceful nations. Today, the world is presented with a moment of great
    opportunity for the cause of freedom. In the last two years alone, tens
    of millions have voted in free elections for the first time in
    Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Kyrgyzstan,
    Ukraine, and Georgia. These nations are inspiring millions more across
    the broader Middle East. The UN has a vital role to play in encouraging
    their aspirations and nurturing freedom's progress.

  þ The United Nations Democracy Fund Will Help The Advance Of Freedom.
    Through the new UN Democracy Fund, proposed by President Bush at last
    year's General Assembly, UN members are working to help nations who
    want to join the democratic world. Eight nations have already pledged
    tens of millions of dollars to get the Fund started. This year,
    President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Singh will join Secretary
    General Annan and other leaders in inaugurating this new institution.
    Every free nation has an interest in the success of this Fund - and
    every free nation has a responsibility in advancing the cause of
    liberty and, through it, the cause of peace.

  þ The United States And The United Nations Are Working To Build A Lasting
    Iraqi Democracy. The whole world has an interest in the success of the
    Iraqi people, and no civilized nation has an interest in seeing a new
    terror state emerge in Iraq. The UN played a vital role in supporting
    the success of Iraq's January elections and drafting of a new
    constitution. Now, the international community must continue to support
    the Iraqi people as they complete the journey to a fully constitutional
    government, because an Iraqi democracy will help the Middle East grow
    in peace and hope and liberty.

Reforming The UN

  þ The UN Must Reform And Renew Itself In Its Own Great Ideals. The UN
    must be strong and efficient, free of corruption, and accountable to
    the people it serves. The UN must stand for integrity - and live by the
    high standards it sets for others. When member states choose notorious
    abusers of human rights to sit on the UN Human Rights Commission, they
    discredit a noble effort and undermine the credibility of the whole
    organization. If member countries want the UN to be respected and
    effective, they should begin by making sure it is worthy of respect.

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