Obama calls for global cooperation

By Joseph Picard

U.S. President Barack Obama addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations today in New York City.

He called upon the world's leaders for increased cooperation among nations coming out of global recession and in continued nuclear non-proliferation. He asked the other nations to stand by their commitments and help the U.S. foster peace between Israel and Palestine.

"The global economy suffered an enormous blow during the financial crisis, crippling markets and deferring the dreams of millions on every continent," Obama said.

He noted that the global economy "has been pulled back from the brink of a depression, and is growing once more."

Obama, who will be attending the upcoming G20 Summit in Seoul, Korea, in November, said "we made the G20 the focal point for international coordination, because in a world where prosperity is more diffuse, we must broaden our circle of cooperation to include emerging economies -- economies from every corner of the globe."

While noting that the U.S. arms control treaty with Russia and a stronger Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, Obama chastised Iran for non-compliance.

"Iran is the only party to the NPT that cannot demonstrate the peaceful intentions of its nuclear program, and those actions have consequences," Obama said, referring to U.S. and UN trade sanctions against Iran.

Obama added that "the door remains open to diplomacy."

On the renewed Mideast Peace Talks, now in their opening stages, Obama acknowledged the cynics who will say that "Israelis and Palestinians are too distrustful of each other."

"Rejectionists on both sides will try to disrupt the process, with bitter words and with bombs and with gunfire," he said. 

The alternative, however, was that "more blood will be shed."

Obama said both sides now must follow their words with actions, and expected both sides to carry the talks through to completion.

He said Israel's friends and allies must understand that true security for the Jewish state requires an independent Palestine.

"I know many in this hall count themselves as friends of the Palestinians," Obama said. "But these pledges of friendship must now be supported by deeds.  Those who have signed on to the Arab Peace Initiative should seize this opportunity to make it real by taking tangible steps towards the normalization that it promises Israel. 

"And those who speak on behalf of Palestinian self-government should help the Palestinian Authority politically and financially, and in doing so help the Palestinians build the institutions of their state. 

"Those who long to see an independent Palestine must also stop trying to tear down Israel," Obama said, adding that "Israel's existence must not be a subject for debate."