Bush urges U.N. to combat global poverty, disease By George E. Condon Jr. COPLEY NEWS SERVICE September 15, 2005 Reuters President Bush addressed the 160 world leaders who assembled yesterday at the 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. UNITED NATIONS – President Bush urged the 160 world leaders who gathered yesterday to celebrate the United Nations' 60th anniversary to join him in combating global poverty and disease, casting these as crucial fights in the war against terrorism. "This war will not be won by force of arms alone," he said, contending that terrorists also must be defeated in "the battle of ideas" and by eliminating conditions that provide fertile ground for terrorism. Facing the largest gathering of kings, presidents and prime ministers ever at one summit, Bush also used his address to champion the war in Iraq, call for additional U.N. reforms and thank the nations that offered assistance as the United States copes with the devastation from Hurricane Katrina. "We have witnessed the awesome power of nature – and the greater power of human compassion," Bush said. "To every nation, every province and every community across the world that is standing with the American people in this hour of need, I offer the thanks of my nation." Bush's speech mixed a reassertion of American leadership on a broad range of diplomatic challenges with recognition that the rest of the world does not always follow the U.S. lead. On a day when insurgent attacks in Baghdad claimed more than 150 lives, the president did not dwell on Iraq, a contentious issue among many world leaders. Instead, he reinforced his long-held assertion that the "whole world has a vital interest in the success of a free Iraq." Advertisement Bush made clear – both in his address to the General Assembly and later in remarks at the Security Council – that countries anxious to keep terrorists at bay must enlist in the U.S.-led war against terrorism. "The terrorists must know the world stands united against them," he said. "The terrorists must know that wherever they go, they cannot escape justice." Bush hailed the Security Council's adoption of a British-backed resolution calling for laws that prohibit the incitement of terrorist acts. But even as he talked of cutting off terrorist financing and denying them safe haven, he acknowledged the need for what many world leaders have called for in recent years – a stepped up global effort to combat the socioeconomic conditions that help breed terrorism. "We must help raise up the failing states and stagnant societies that provide fertile ground for the terrorists," Bush said. "We must defend and extend a vision of human dignity and opportunity and prosperity, a vision far stronger than the dark appeal of resentment and murder." Declaring that the United States "is determined to help nations that are struggling with poverty," the president targeted scourges such as AIDS, malaria and particularly the growing threat of avian flu. "If left unchallenged, this virus could become the first pandemic of the 21st century," he said. "We must not allow that to happen." Arguing that trade can lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, Bush also urged countries to give up agricultural and other subsidies that unfairly keep out imports and are blocking completion of the current round of world trade talks. "We must tear down the walls that separate the developed and developing worlds," he said, calling the success of the trade talks critical. "The stakes are high. The lives and futures of millions of the world's poorest citizens hang in the balance," he said. To prod others Bush offered a pledge. "The United States is ready to eliminate all tariffs, subsidies and other barriers to free flow of goods and services, as other nations do the same," he said, calling this "key to overcoming poverty in the world's poorest nations." Bush's change in tone from his four previous speeches to the General Assembly was at times stark. In the past, diplomats often bristled at what they considered too much of a "you're either with us or against us" quality from the leader of the world's only superpower. But this time, Bush went out of his way to praise the way the world body and other leaders have offered support in the wake of Katrina and the way the organization has tackled challenges in debt, trade and disease prevention. The other difference for Bush was his standing at home. His earlier speeches came at times when he was either astride the polls or relishing a re-election victory. Yesterday's address came at a time of political trouble, in part because of Iraq and Katrina, and as he faces the lowest domestic approval ratings of his presidency. On Iraq and on his campaign to spread democracy to the Middle East, he was unyielding. Both fronts, he said, require an efficient and effective United Nations. His remarks came the day after the world body accepted a reform document that did not contain many of the tough measures demanded by the White House. "If member countries want the United Nations to be . . . respected and effective, they should begin by making sure it is worthy of respect," he said, expressing particular dissatisfaction with the body's ineffectiveness at battling violators of human rights. "When this great institution's member states choose notorious abusers of human rights to sit on the U.N. Human Rights Commission, they discredit a noble effort and undermine the credibility of the whole organization," Bush said. In recent years, that commission has included – over U.S. objections – countries such as Zimbabwe and Libya, which have spotty human rights records. Before returning to Washington, Bush met with prime ministers Ariel Sharon of Israel and Tony Blair of Great Britain. Bush used his session with Sharon to demand that Palestinians lay the groundwork for lasting peace with Israel after that nation's dismantling of its settlements in the Gaza Strip. "One thing is essential – and the world must hear – that now is the time for Palestinians to come together and establish a government that will be peaceful with Israel." Knight Ridder News Service contributed to this report. »Next Story»