Tuesday Bush

Tuesday, Sept 19 2006 United Nations: Bush used a noontime speech to the General Assembly to ask U.N. members for help in fighting extremism in the Middle East.

"From Beirut to Baghdad, people are making the choice for freedom," Bush told the General Assembly.

The president said the "calling of our generation" is the fight between extremism and the "peaceful majority."

Bush said people who have hope for a future "are less likely to blow themselves up in suicide attacks" and asked Muslim nations to support democratic reforms in the Middle East.

He praised the people of Iraq for voting for a democratic government and vowed to stand behind the elected leaders in securing Iraq's future from "terrorists and extremists."

Afghanistan voters also drew his praise for establishing a free government that combats terrorists.

The American president believes that peace between Palestinians and Israelis "is one of the great objectives of my presidency,", and he went on to praise the commitments of both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt were examples of countries that Bush gave as providing the diplomatic and financial leadership needed to foster Mideast democracy.

On the subject of Iran, he said that Iran must comply with U.N. demands on halting nuclear enrichment activities so Iran can benefit fully from what the rest of the world has to offer.

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a fervent critic of U.S. foreign policy was expected to be in the audience. The two were not expected to talk directly.

Ahmadinejad will address the assembly Tuesday evening.

After discussions with French President Jacques Chirac, Bush warned Iran that "time is of the essence" for the country to avoid sanctions by complying with U.N. demands to stop uranium enrichment activities.

Uranium enrichment is key to producing nuclear weapons. The United States suspects Iran of using its nuclear program to develop weapons, while Tehran insists its program is only for peaceful purposes.

CNN.com

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