Transcript of Bush's U.N. address
Part 5: Conclusion
| President Bush addresses the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday. |
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| AUDIO | "The commitments we make must have meaning."
"No human life should ever be produced or destroyed for the benefit of another."
"When it comes to the desire for liberty and justice, there is no clash of civilizations."
"Goodwill and hard effort can achieve the promise of the road map to peace."
"Today, I propose establishing a democracy fund."
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The democratic hopes we see growing in the Middle East are growing everywhere. In the words of the Burmese democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi, "We do not accept the notion that democracy is a Western value. To the contrary, democracy simply means good government rooted in responsibility, transparency and accountability."
Here at the United Nations, you know this to be true.
In recent years, this organization has helped to create a new democracy in East Timor and the U.N. has aided other nations in making the transition to self-rule.
Because I believe the advance of liberty is the path to both a safer and better world, today I propose establishing a democracy fund within the United Nations. This is a great calling for this great organization.
The fund would help countries lay the foundations of democracy by instituting the rule of law and independent courts, a free press, political parties and trade unions.
Money from the fund would also help set up voter precincts in polling places and support the work of election monitors.
To show our commitment to the new democracy fund, the United States will make an initial contribution. I urge all other nations to contribute as well.
I have outlined a broad agenda to advance human dignity and enhance the security of all of us. The defeat of terror, the protection of human rights, the spread of prosperity, the advance of democracy: These causes, these ideals call us to great work in the world. Each of us alone can only do so much. Together we can accomplish so much more.
History will honor the high ideals of this organization. The Charter states them with clarity: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.
Let history also record that our generation of leaders followed through on these ideals, even in adversity. Let history show that in a decisive decade, members of the United Nations did not grow weary in our duties or waver in meeting them.
I'm confident that this young century will be liberty's century. I believe we will rise to this moment because I know the character of so many nations and leaders represented here today, and I have faith in the transforming power of freedom.
May God bless you.