Obama to the U.N.: America Alone Cannot Build a Better World

President Obama arrived at the headquarters of the United Nations on Thursday morning with a message to the organization's member states: America will continue to participate in -- and strengthen -- efforts to establish international peace and democracy, but the U.S. will not, and cannot, do so alone. "The world that America seeks is not one that we can build on our own," he said. "For human rights to reach those who suffer the boot of oppression, we need your voices to speak out. In particular, I appeal to those nations who emerged from tyranny and inspired the world in the second half of the last century -- from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to South America: Do not stand idly by when dissidents elsewhere are imprisoned and protesters are beaten."

Said the president, "Part of the price of our own freedom is standing up for the freedom of others. That belief will guide America's leadership in this 21st century."

Obama spent the bulk of his remarks addressing the dynamics of a world in flux -- how war, global terrorism and economic crisis have complicated the pursuit of a stable, just society. "Today, as in past times of economic downturn, some put human rights aside for the promise of short-term stability, or the false notion that economic growth can come at the expense of freedom. We see leaders abolishing term limits, crackdowns on civil society, and corruption smothering entrepreneurship and good governance. We see democratic reforms deferred indefinitely." And he reiterated his belief that an open and free society is the only solution: "Democracy, more than any other form of government, delivers for our citizens."

In terms of concrete plans to spur progress, the president referred to a new U.S. policy, announced Wednesday, that proposes to shift American assistance overseas from aid to development. "There is no reason why Africa should not be an exporter of agriculture, which is why our food security initiative is empowering farmers. And there is no reason why entrepreneurs shouldn't be able to build new markets in every society," he posited. "The obligation of government is to empower individuals, not to impede them."

On other issues -- including peace prospects in the Middle East -- the president trumpeted U.S.-led progress: the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, the drawdown of U.S. military troops in Iraq, the battle against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, and U.N. sanctions on Iran. But Obama was firm in his conviction that other countries had to share the burden as well -- especially with regards to the Mideast peace process.

"Many in this hall count themselves as friends of the Palestinians. But these pledges must now be supported by deeds," he said. "Those who have signed on to the Arab Peace Initiative should seize this opportunity to make it real by describing and demonstrating the normalization that it promises Israel. Those who speak out for Palestinian self-government should help the Palestinian Authority with political and financial support, and -- in so doing -- help the Palestinians build the institutions of their state. And those who long to see an independent Palestine rise must stop trying to tear Israel down."

Though Palestinian representatives were present for the president's remarks, seats for the Israeli delegation remained empty. Initial reports posited that the representatives were unable to attend the proceedings because of Sukkot, a Jewish religious celebration.

For all of his optimism about what might be possible, the president was also realistic about the traditional limits of the U.N. -- and the historically slow pace at which its member states have taken up initiatives. "We can come back here, next year, as we have for the last 60, and make long speeches. We can read familiar lists of grievances. We can table the same resolutions. We can further empower the forces of rejectionism and hate," he said. "Or, we can say that this time will be different -- that this time we will not let terror, or turbulence, or posturing, or petty politics stand in the way."