President Barack Obama’s U.N. speech: 9/25/2012
From Politics
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentleman: I would like to
begin today by telling you about an American named Chris Stevens.
Chris was born
in a town called Grass Valley, California, the son of a lawyer and a musician.
As a young man, Chris joined the Peace Corps, and taught English in Morocco. He
came to love and respect the people of North Africa and the Middle East, and he
would carry that commitment throughout his life. As a diplomat, he worked from
Egypt to Syria; from Saudi Arabia to Libya. He was known for walking the
streets of the cities where he worked – tasting the local food, meeting as many
people as he could, speaking Arabic and listening with a broad smile.
Chris went to
Benghazi in the early days of the Libyan revolution, arriving on a cargo ship.
As America’s representative, he helped the Libyan people as they coped with
violent conflict, cared for the wounded, and crafted a vision for a future in
which the rights of all Libyans would be respected. After the revolution, he
supported the birth of a new democracy, as Libyans held elections, built new
institutions, and began to move forward after decades of dictatorship.
Chris Stevens
loved his work. He took pride in the country he served, and saw dignity in the
people he met. Two weeks ago, he travelled to Benghazi to review plans to
establish a new cultural center and modernize a hospital. That’s when America’s
compound came under attack. Along with three of his colleagues, Chris was
killed in the city he helped to save. He was 52 years old.
I tell you this
story because Chris Stevens embodied the best of America. Like his fellow
Foreign Service officers, he built bridges across oceans and cultures, and was
deeply invested in the international cooperation that the United Nations
represents. He acted with humility, but stood up for a set of principles – a
belief that individuals should be free to determine their own destiny, and live
with liberty, dignity, justice, and opportunity.
The attacks on
our civilians in Benghazi were attacks on America. We are grateful for the
assistance we received from the Libyan government and the Libyan people. And
there should be no doubt that we will be relentless in tracking down the
killers and bringing them to justice. I also appreciate that in recent days,
the leaders of other countries in the region – including Egypt, Tunisia, and
Yemen – have taken steps to secure our diplomatic facilities, and called for
calm. So have religious authorities around the globe.
But the attacks
of the last two weeks are not simply an assault on America. They are also an
assault on the very ideals upon which the United Nations was founded – the
notion that people can resolve their differences peacefully; that diplomacy can
take the place of war; and that in an interdependent world, all of us have a
stake in working towards greater opportunity and security for our citizens.
If we are
serious about upholding these ideals, it will not be enough to put more guards
in front of an Embassy; or to put out statements of regret, and wait for the
outrage to pass. If we are serious about those ideals, we must speak honestly
about the deeper causes of this crisis. Because we face a choice between the forces
that would drive us apart, and the hopes we hold in common.
Today, we must
affirm that our future will be determined by people like Chris Stevens, and not
by his killers. Today, we must declare that this violence and intolerance has
no place among our United Nations.
It has been less
than two years since a vendor in Tunisia set himself on fire to protest the
oppressive corruption in his country, and sparked what became known as the Arab
Spring. Since then, the world has been captivated by the transformation that
has taken place, and the United States has supported the forces of change.
We were inspired
by the Tunisian protests that toppled a dictator, because we recognized our own
beliefs in the aspirations of men and women who took to the streets.
We insisted on
change in Egypt, because our support for democracy put us on the side of the
people.
We supported a
transition of leadership in Yemen, because the interests of the people were not
being served by a corrupt status quo.
We intervened in
Libya alongside a broad coalition, and with the mandate of the U.N. Security
Council, because we had the ability to stop the slaughter of innocents; and
because we believed that the aspirations of the people were more powerful than
a tyrant.
And as we meet here,
we again declare that the regime of Bashar al-Assad must come to an end so that
the suffering of the Syrian people can stop, and a new dawn can begin.
We have taken
these positions because we believe that freedom and self-determination are not
unique to one culture. These are not simply American values or Western values –
they are universal values. And even as there will be huge challenges that come
with a transition to democracy, I am convinced that ultimately government of
the people, bythe people and for the people is more likely to bring about the
stability, prosperity, and individual opportunity that serve as a basis for
peace in our world.
So let us
remember that this is a season of progress. For the first time in decades,
Tunisians, Egyptians, and Libyans voted for new leaders in elections that were
credible, competitive, and fair. This democratic spirit has not been restricted
to the Arab World. Over the past year, we have seen peaceful transitions of
power in Malawi and Senegal, and a new President in Somalia. In Burma, a
President has freed political prisoners and opened a closed society; a
courageous dissident has been elected to Parliament; and people look forward to
further reform. Around the globe, people are making their voices heard, insisting
on their innate dignity, and the right to determine their future.
And yet the
turmoil of recent weeks reminds us that the path to democracy does not end with
the casting of a ballot. Nelson Mandela once said: “to be free is not merely to
cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the
freedom of others.” True democracy demands that citizens cannot be thrown in
jail because of what they believe, and businesses can be opened without paying
a bribe. It depends on the freedom of citizens to speak their minds and
assemble without fear; on the rule of law and due process that guarantees the
rights of all people.
In other words,
true democracy – real freedom – is hard work. Those in power have to resist the
temptation to crack down on dissent. In hard economic times, countries may be
tempted to rally the people around perceived enemies, at home and abroad,
rather than focusing on the painstaking work of reform.
Moreover, there
will always be those that reject human progress – dictators who cling to power,
corrupt interests that depend upon the status quo; and extremists who fan the
flames of hate and division. From Northern Ireland to South Asia; from Africa
to the Americas; from the Balkans to the Pacific Rim, we’ve witnessed convulsions
that can accompany transitions to a new political order. At times, the
conflicts arise along the fault lines of faith, race or tribe; and often they
arise from the difficulties of reconciling tradition and faith with the
diversity and interdependence of the modern world. In every country, there are
those who find different religious beliefs threatening; in every culture, those
who love freedom for themselves must ask how much they are willing to tolerate
freedom for others.
That is what we
saw play out the last two weeks, as a crude and disgusting video sparked
outrage throughout the Muslim world. I have made it clear that the United
States government had nothing to do with this video, and I believe its message
must be rejected by all who respect our common humanity. It is an insult not
only to Muslims, but to America as well – for as the city outside these walls
makes clear, we are a country that has welcomed people of every race and
religion. We are home to Muslims who worship across our country. We not only
respect the freedom of religion – we have laws that protect individuals from
being harmed because of how they look or what they believe. We understand why
people take offense to this video because millions of our citizens are among
them.
I know there are
some who ask why we don’t just ban such a video. The answer is enshrined in our
laws: our Constitution protects the right to practice free speech. Here in the
United States, countless publications provoke offense. Like me, the majority of
Americans are Christian, and yet we do not ban blasphemy against our most
sacred beliefs. Moreover, as President of our country, and Commander-in-Chief
of our military, I accept that people are going to call me awful things every
day, and I will always defend their right to do so. Americans have fought and
died around the globe to protect the right of all people to express their views
– even views that we disagree with.
We do so not
because we support hateful speech, but because our Founders understood that without
such protections, the capacity of each individual to express their own views,
and practice their own faith, may be threatened. We do so because in a diverse
society, efforts to restrict speech can become a tool to silence critics, or
oppress minorities. We do so because given the power of faith in our lives, and
the passion that religious differences can inflame, the strongest weapon
against hateful speech is not repression, it is more speech – the voices of
tolerance that rally against bigotry and blasphemy, and lift up the values of
understanding and mutual respect.
I know that not
all countries in this body share this understanding of the protection of free
speech. Yet in 2012, at a time when anyone with a cell phone can spread
offensive views around the world with the click of a button, the notion that we
can control the flow of information is obsolete. The question, then, is how we
respond. And on this we must agree: there is no speech that justifies mindless
violence.
There are no
words that excuse the killing of innocents. There is no video that justifies an
attack on an Embassy. There is no slander that provides an excuse for people to
burn a restaurant in Lebanon, or destroy a school in Tunis, or cause death and
destruction in Pakistan.
More broadly,
the events of the last two weeks speak to the need for all of us to address
honestly the tensions between the West and an Arab World moving to democracy.
Just as we cannot solve every problem in the world, the United States has not,
and will not, seek to dictate the outcome of democratic transitions abroad, and
we do not expect other nations to agree with us on every issue. Nor do we
assume that the violence of the past weeks, or the hateful speech by some
individuals, represents the views of the overwhelming majority of Muslims– any
more than the views of the people who produced this video represent those of
Americans.
However, I do
believe that it is the obligation of all leaders, in all countries, to speak
out forcefully against violence and extremism. It is time to marginalize those
who – even when not resorting to violence – use hatred of America, or the West,
or Israel as a central principle of politics. For that only gives cover, and
sometimes makes excuses, for those who resort to violence.
That brand of
politics – one that pits East against West; South against North; Muslim against
Christian, Hindu, and Jew – cannot deliver the promise of freedom. To the
youth, it offers only false hope. Burning an American flag will do nothing to
educate a child. Smashing apart a restaurant will not fill an empty stomach.
Attacking an Embassy won’t create a single job. That brand of politics only
makes it harder to achieve what we must do together: educating our children and
creating the opportunities they deserve; protecting human rights, and extending
democracy’s promise.
Understand that
America will never retreat from the world. We will bring justice to those who
harm our citizens and our friends. We will stand with our allies and are
willing to partner with countries to deepen ties of trade and investment;
science and technology; energy and development – efforts that can spark
economic growth for all of our people, and stabilize democratic change. But
such efforts depend upon a spirit of mutual interest and mutual respect. No
government or company; no school or NGO will be confident working in a country
where its people are endangered. For partnership to be effective, our citizens
must be secure and our efforts must be welcomed.
A politics based
only on anger –one based on dividing the world between us and them – not only
sets back international cooperation, it ultimately undermines those who
tolerate it. All of us have an interest in standing up to these forces. Let us
remember that Muslims have suffered the most at the hands of extremism. On the
same day our civilians were killed in Benghazi, a Turkish police officer was
murdered in Istanbul only days before his wedding; more than ten Yemenis were
killed in a car bomb in Sana’a; and several Afghan children were mourned by
their parents just days after they were killed by a suicide bomber in Kabul.
The impulse
towards intolerance and violence may initially be focused on the West, but over
time it cannot be contained. The same impulses toward extremism are used to
justify war between Sunnis and Shia, between tribes and clans. It leads not to
strength and prosperity but to chaos. In less than two years, we have seen
largely peaceful protests bring more change to Muslim-majority countries than a
decade of violence. Extremists understand this. And because they have nothing
to offer to improve the lives of people, violence is their only way to stay
relevant. They do not build, they only destroy.
It is time to
leave the call of violence and the politics of division behind. On so many
issues, we face a choice between the promise of the future, or the prisons of
the past. We cannot afford to get it wrong. We must seize this moment. And
America stands ready to work with all who are willing to embrace a better future.
The future must
not belong to those who target Coptic Christians in Egypt – it must be claimed
by those in Tahrir Square who chanted “Muslims, Christians, we are one.” The
future must not belong to those who bully women – it must be shaped by girls
who go to school, and those who stand for a world where our daughters can live
their dreams just like our sons. The future must not belong to those corrupt
few who steal a country’s resources – it must be won by the students and
entrepreneurs; workers and business owners who seek a broader prosperity for
all people. Those are the men and women that America stands with; theirs is the
vision we will support.
The future must
not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam. Yet to be credible, those
who condemn that slander must also condemn the hate we see when the image of
Jesus Christ is desecrated, churches are destroyed, or the Holocaust is denied.
Let us condemn incitement against Sufi Muslims, and Shiite pilgrims. It is time
to heed the words of Gandhi: “Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an
obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.” Together, we must work
towards a world where we are strengthened by our differences, and not defined
by them. That is what America embodies, and that is the vision we will support.
Among Israelis
and Palestinians, the future must not belong to those who turn their backs on
the prospect of peace. Let us leave behind those who thrive on conflict, and
those who reject the right of Israel to exist. The road is hard but the
destination is clear – a secure, Jewish state of Israel; and an independent,
prosperous Palestine. Understanding that such a peace must come through a just
agreement between the parties, America will walk alongside all who are prepared
to make that journey.
In Syria, the
future must not belong to a dictator who massacres his people. If there is a
cause that cries out for protest in the world today, it is a regime that
tortures children and shoots rockets at apartment buildings. And we must remain
engaged to assure that what began with citizens demanding their rights does not
end in a cycle of sectarian violence.
Together, we
must stand with those Syrians who believe in a different vision – a Syria that
is united and inclusive; where children don’t need to fear their own
government, and all Syrians have a say in how they are governed – Sunnis and
Alawites; Kurds and Christians. That is what America stands for; that is the
outcome that we will work for – with sanctions and consequences for those who
persecute; and assistance and support for those who work for this common good.
Because we believe that the Syrians who embrace this vision will have the
strength and legitimacy to lead.
In Iran, we see
where the path of a violent and unaccountable ideology leads. The Iranian
people have a remarkable and ancient history, and many Iranians wish to enjoy
peace and prosperity alongside their neighbors. But just as it restricts the
rights of its own people, the Iranian government props up a dictator in Damascus
and supports terrorist groups abroad. Time and again, it has failed to take the
opportunity to demonstrate that its nuclear program is peaceful, and to meet
its obligations to the United Nations.
Let me be clear:
America wants to resolve this issue through diplomacy, and we believe that
there is still time and space to do so. But that time is not unlimited. We
respect the right of nations to access peaceful nuclear power, but one of the
purposes of the United Nations is to see that we harness that power for peace.
Make no mistake: a nuclear-armed Iran is not a challenge that can be contained.
It would threaten the elimination of Israel, the security of Gulf nations, and
the stability of the global economy. It risks triggering a nuclear-arms race in
the region, and the unraveling of the non-proliferation treaty. That is why a
coalition of countries is holding the Iranian government accountable. And that
is why the United States will do what we must to prevent Iran from obtaining a
nuclear weapon.
We know from
painful experience that the path to security and prosperity does not lie
outside the boundaries of international law and respect for human rights. That
is why this institution was established from the rubble of conflict; that is
why liberty triumphed over tyranny in the Cold War; and that is the lesson of
the last two decades as well. History shows that peace and progress come to
those who make the right choices.
Nations in every
part of the world have travelled this hard path. Europe – the bloodiest
battlefield of the 20th century – is united, free and at peace. From Brazil to
South Africa; from Turkey to South Korea; from India to Indonesia; people of
different races, religions, and traditions have lifted millions out of poverty,
while respecting the rights of their citizens and meeting their
responsibilities as nations.
And it is
because of the progress I’ve witnessed that after nearly four years as
President, I am hopeful about the world we live in. The war in Iraq is over,
and our troops have come home. We have begun a transition in Afghanistan, and
America and our allies will end our war on schedule in 2014. Al Qaeda has been
weakened and Osama bin Laden is no more. Nations have come together to lock
down nuclear materials, and America and Russia are reducing our arsenals. I’ve
seen hard choices made – from Naypyidaw to Cairo to Abidjan – to put more power
in the hands of citizens.
At a time of
economic challenge, the world has come together to broaden prosperity. Through
the G-20, we have partnered with emerging countries to keep the world on the
path of recovery. America has pursued a development agenda that fuels growth
and breaks dependency, and worked with African leaders to help them feed their
nations. New partnerships have been forged to combat corruption and promote
government that is open and transparent. New commitments have been made through
the Equal Futures Partnership to ensure that women and girls can fully
participate in politics and pursue opportunity. And later today, I will discuss
our efforts to combat the scourge of human trafficking.
But what gives
me the most hope is not the actions of leaders – it is the people I’ve seen.
The American troops who have risked their lives and sacrificed their limbs for
strangers half a world away. The students in Jakarta and Seoul who are eager to
use their knowledge to benefit humankind. The faces in a square in Prague or a
parliament in Ghana who see democracy giving voice to their aspirations. The
young people in the favelas of Rio and the schools of Mumbai whose eyes shine
with promise. These men, women and children of every race and every faith
remind me that for every angry mob that gets shown on television, there are
billions around the globe who share similar hopes and dreams. They tell us that
there is a common heartbeat to humanity.
So much
attention in our world turns to what divides us. That’s what we see on the
news, and that consumes our political debates. But when you strip that all
away, people everywhere long for the freedom to determine their destiny; the
dignity that comes with work; the comfort that comes from faith; and the
justice that exists when governments serve their people – and not the other way
around.
The United
States of America will always stand up for these aspirations, for our own
people, and all across the world. That was our founding purpose. That is what
our history shows. And that is what Chris Stevens worked for throughout his
life.
And today I
promise you this – long after these killers are brought to justice, Chris
Stevens’ legacy will live on in the lives he touched. In the tens of thousands
who marched against violence through the streets of Benghazi; in the Libyans
who changed their Facebook photo to one of Chris; in the sign that read,
simply, “Chris Stevens was a friend to all Libyans.”
They should give
us hope. They should remind us that so long as we work for it justice will be
done; that history is on our side; and that a rising tide of liberty will never
be reversed.
Thank you
