這些是我必須為美國人民的利益每天迎戰(zhàn)的問題。
奧巴馬獲諾貝爾獎感言
奧巴馬獲諾貝爾獎感言
Goodmorning!Well,thisisnothowIexpectedtowakeupthismorning.AfterIreceivedthenews,Maliawalkedinandsaid,"Daddy,youwontheNobelPeacePrize,anditisBo's
birthday."AndthenSashaadded,"Plus,wehaveathree-dayweekendcomingup."Soit's--it'sgoodtohavekidstokeepthingsinperspective.
早上好。我沒有料到今早醒來是這樣。在我接到消息后，瑪莉婭（Malia）走進來說：“爸爸，你獲諾貝爾獎了，而今天是波（Bo，小狗的名字—譯注）的生日１薩夏（Sasha）接著說：“還有，我們就要過三天長周末了�！彼�，有孩子幫助保持清醒是好事。
IambothsurprisedanddeeplyhumbledbythedecisionoftheNobelCommittee.Letmebeclear,Idonotviewitasarecognitionofmyownaccomplishments,butratherasanaffirmationofAmericanleadershiponbehalfofaspirationsheldbypeopleinallnations.諾貝爾獎委員會的決定令我既驚訝又深受感動。我要說明：我不認為這是表彰我個人的成就，而是對為實現(xiàn)所有國家人民的愿望發(fā)揮美國帶頭作用的肯定。
Tobehonest,IdonotfeelthatIdeservetobeinthecompanyofsomanyofthe
transformativefigureswho'vebeenhonoredbythisprize,menandwomenwho'veinspiredmeandinspiredtheentireworldthroughtheircourageouspursuitofpeace.
坦率地說，我認為自己沒有資格躋身于獲此殊榮的眾多變革者之列——是那些男女志士對和平的勇敢追求激勵了我和整個世界。
ButIalsoknowthatthisprizereflectsthekindofworldthatthosemenandwomenandallAmericanswanttobuild,aworldthatgiveslifetothepromiseofourfoundingdocuments.AndIknowthatthroughouthistorytheNobelPeacePrizehasnotjustbeenusedtohonor
specificachievement;it'salsobeenusedasameanstogivemomentumtoasetofcauses.AndthatiswhyIwillacceptthisawardasacalltoaction,acallforallnationstoconfrontthecommonchallengesofthe21stcentury.
但我也知道，這個獎反映出這些男女志士及全體美國人民都想建立的那種世界——一個將我國建國綱領(lǐng)的承諾變?yōu)楝F(xiàn)實的世界。我知道，諾貝爾和平獎在歷史上從來不是僅用來表彰具體的成就，而是也被作為一種給一系列事業(yè)增添動力的手段。因此，我將把接受這個獎視為行動的召喚——一個呼吁所有國家迎接21世紀共同挑戰(zhàn)的行動召喚。
Now,thesechallengescan'tbemetbyanyoneleaderoranyonenation.Andthat'swhymyadministration'sworkedtoestablishaneweraofengagementinwhichallnationsmusttakeresponsibilityfortheworldweseek.
這些挑戰(zhàn)無法由任何一位領(lǐng)袖或任何一個國家應(yīng)對。因此，本屆政府致力于創(chuàng)建一個交往接觸的新時代——一個所有國家必須為我們所向往的世界承擔(dān)責(zé)任的時代。
Wecannottolerateaworldinwhichnuclearweaponsspreadtomorenationsandinwhichtheterrorofanuclearholocaustendangersmorepeople.Andthat'swhywe'vebeguntotakeconcretestepstopursueaworldwithoutnuclearweapons:becauseallnationshavetherighttopursuepeacefulnuclearpower,butallnationshavetheresponsibilitytodemonstratetheirpeacefulintentions.
我們不能容忍一個核武器向更多國家擴散的世界，不能容忍一個核武大屠殺的恐怖危及更多人民的世界。正因為如此，我們已經(jīng)開始為爭取實現(xiàn)沒有核武器世界而采取具體步驟，因為，雖然所有國家都有和平利用核能的權(quán)利，但所有國家也都有責(zé)任表明他們的和平意圖。
Wecannotacceptthegrowingthreatposedbyclimatechange,whichcouldforeverdamagetheworldthatwepaontoourchildren,sowingconflictandfamine,destroyingcoastlines
andemptyingcities.Andthat'swhyallnationsmustnowaccepttheirshareofresponsibilityfortransformingthewaythatweuseenergy.
我們不能讓氣候變化構(gòu)成的威脅日益增長——埋下沖突與饑荒的禍種，摧毀海岸線，城市蕭疏——給我們將傳予子孫后代的世界造成永久性破壞。因此，我們所有國家必須承擔(dān)各自的責(zé)任，改變我們使用能源的方式。
Wecan'tallowthedifferencesbetweenpeoplestodefinethewaythatweseeoneanother.Andthat'swhywemustpursueanewbeginningamongpeopleofdifferentfaithsandracesandreligions,onebaseduponmutualinterestandmutualrespect.
我們不能讓民族間的差異來界定看待彼此的方式，因此，我們必須在不同信仰、種族和宗教的人民之間謀求一個新開端，一個以互利和互尊為基礎(chǔ)的開端。
Andwemustalldoourparttoresolvethoseconflictsthathavecausedsomuchpainandhardshipoversomanyyears.Andthateffortmustincludeanunwaveringcommitmenttofinallyrealizethat--therightsofallIsraelisandPalestinianstoliveinpeaceandsecurityinnationsoftheirown.
我們必須竭盡全力解決多少年來導(dǎo)致無數(shù)創(chuàng)痛與苦難的沖突，這一努力必須包括堅定不移地致力于最后實現(xiàn)所有以色列人和巴勒斯坦人在各自國家平安生活的權(quán)利。
Wecan'tacceptaworldinwhichmorepeoplearedeniedopportunityanddignitythatallpeopleyearnfor:theabilitytogetaneducationandmakeadecentliving,thesecuritythatyouwon'thavetoliveinfearofdiseaseorviolencewithouthopeforthefuture.
我們不能容許一個使更多人被剝奪機會與尊嚴的世界——這種人人渴望的機會與尊嚴體現(xiàn)在，能夠受教育，能夠過像樣的生活；享有安全感，不在疾病或暴力恐怖的威脅下無望過活。
Andevenaswestrivetoseekaworldinwhichconflictsareresolvedpeacefullyand
prosperityiswidelyshared,wehavetoconfronttheworldasweknowittoday.Iamthecommanderinchiefofacountrythat'sresponsibleforendingawarandworkinginanothertheatertoconfrontaruthleadversarythatdirectlythreatenstheAmericanpeopleandourallies.
即便在努力尋求一個和平解決沖突，共享繁榮的世界的同時，我們也必須面對今天我們眼前的世界。我是一國之最高統(tǒng)帥，而這個國家有責(zé)任結(jié)束一場戰(zhàn)爭并在另一戰(zhàn)場抗擊直接威脅美國人民和盟國的無情的敵人。
I'malsoawarethatwearedealingwiththeimpactofaglobaleconomiccrisisthathasleftmillionsofAmericanslookingforwork.
我也清楚，我們正在應(yīng)對導(dǎo)致數(shù)百萬美國人待業(yè)求職的全球性經(jīng)濟危機的沖擊。這些是我必須為美國人民的利益每天迎戰(zhàn)的問題。
TheseareconcernsthatIconfronteverydayonbehalfoftheAmericanpeople.Someoftheworkconfrontinguswillnotbecompletedduringmypresidency.Some,liketheeliminationofnuclearweapons,maynotbecompletedinmylifetime.
我們面臨的一些工作不可能在我的任期內(nèi)完成。有些工作，例如全部銷毀核武器，可能在我的有生之年也不會完成。
ButIknowthesechallengescanbemet,solongasit'srecognizedthattheywillnotbemetbyonepersonoronenationalone.Thisawardisnotsimplyabouttheeffortsofmy
administration;it'saboutthecourageouseffortsofpeoplearoundtheworld.
但我深信，只要我們認識到這些挑戰(zhàn)不可能由一個人或一個國家來獨自應(yīng)對，則最終問題會得到解決。這份獎勵針對的并非僅是本屆政府的努力，而是全世界人民作出的無畏努力。
Andthat'swhythisawardmustbesharedwitheveryonewhostrivesforjusticeanddignity;fortheyoungwomanwhomarchessilentlyinthestreetsonbehalfofherrighttobeheard,eveninthefaceofbeatingsandbullets;fortheleaderimprisonedinherownhomebecausesherefusestoabandonhercommitmenttodemocracy;forthesoldierwhosacrificedthroughtouraftertourofdutyonbehalfofsomeonehalfaworldaway;andforallthosemenandwomenacrotheworldwhosacrificetheirsafetyandtheirfreedomandsometimetheirlivesforthecauseofpeace.ThathasalwaysbeenthecauseofAmerica.That'swhytheworldhasalwayslookedtoAmerica.Andthat'swhyIbelieveAmericawillcontinuetolead.Thankyouverymuch.
因此，這份獎勵必須由為正義和尊嚴而奮斗的每一個人分享——其中包括為爭取自己的發(fā)言權(quán)，甘冒遭受毒打和槍擊的危險默默上街游行的年輕婦女；包括因拒絕放棄追求民主而被軟禁家中的領(lǐng)袖；包括為了地球他方的人而犧牲自己，一次次奔赴戰(zhàn)場的士兵；包括那些在世界各地為了和平事業(yè)貢獻出自己的安全、自由甚至生命的所有男女人士。這一直是美國的事業(yè)，一直是世界對美國矚以厚望的原因，也是我認為美國將繼續(xù)走在最前列的原因。
奧巴馬獲諾貝爾獎感言
Goodmorning.Well,thisisnothowIexpectedtowakeupthismorning.AfterIreceivedthenews,Maliawalkedinandsaid,"Daddy,youwontheNobelPeacePrize,anditisBo'sbirthday!"AndthenSashaadded,"Plus,wehaveathree-dayweekendcomingup."Soit'sgoodtohavekidstokeepthingsinperspective.
IambothsurprisedanddeeplyhumbledbythedecisionoftheNobelCommittee.Letmebeclear:Idonotviewitasarecognitionofmyownaccomplishments,butratherasanaffirmationofAmericanleadershiponbehalfofaspirationsheldbypeopleinallnations.
Tobehonest,IdonotfeelthatIdeservetobeinthecompanyofsomanyofthetransformativefigureswho'vebeenhonoredbythisprize--menandwomenwho'veinspiredmeandinspiredtheentireworldthroughtheircourageouspursuitofpeace.ButIalsoknowthatthisprizereflectsthekindofworldthatthosemenandwomen,andallAmericans,wanttobuild--aworldthatgiveslifetothepromiseofourfoundingdocuments.AndIknowthatthroughouthistory,theNobelPeacePrizehasnotjustbeenusedtohonorspecificachievement;it'salsobeenusedasameanstogivemomentumtoasetofcauses.AndthatiswhyIwillacceptthisawardasacalltoaction--acallforallnationstoconfrontthecommonchallengesofthe21stcentury.
Thesechallengescan'tbemetbyanyoneleaderoranyonenation.Andthat'swhymyadministrationhasworkedtoestablishaneweraofengagementinwhichallnationsmusttakeresponsibilityfortheworldweseek.Wecannottolerateaworldinwhichnuclearweaponsspreadtomorenationsandinwhichtheterrorofanuclearholocaustendangersmorepeople.Andthat'swhywe'vebeguntotakeconcretestepstopursueaworldwithoutnuclearweapons,becauseallnationshavetherighttopursuepeacefulnuclearpower,butallnationshavetheresponsibilitytodemonstratetheirpeacefulintentions.
Wecannotacceptthegrowingthreatposedbyclimatechange,whichcouldforeverdamagetheworldthatwepaontoourchildren--sowingconflictandfamine;destroyingcoastlinesandemptyingcities.Andthat'swhyallnationsmustnowaccepttheirshareofresponsibilityfortransformingthewaythatweuseenergy.
Wecan'tallowthedifferencesbetweenpeoplestodefinethewaythatweseeoneanother,andthat'swhywemustpursueanewbeginningamongpeopleofdifferentfaithsandracesandreligions;onebaseduponmutualinterestandmutualrespect.
Andwemustalldoourparttoresolvethoseconflictsthathavecausedsomuchpainandhardshipoversomanyyears,andthateffortmustincludeanunwaveringcommitmentthatfinallyrealizesthattherightsofallIsraelisandPalestinianstoliveinpeaceandsecurityinnationsoftheirown.
Wecan'tacceptaworldinwhichmorepeoplearedeniedopportunityanddignitythatallpeopleyearnfor--theabilitytogetaneducationandmakeadecentliving;thesecuritythatyouwon'thavetoliveinfearofdiseaseorviolencewithouthopeforthefuture.
Andevenaswestrivetoseekaworldinwhichconflictsareresolvedpeacefullyandprosperityiswidelyshared,wehavetoconfronttheworldasweknowittoday.IamtheCommander-in-Chiefofacountrythat'sresponsibleforendingawarandworkinginanothertheatertoconfrontaruthleadversarythatdirectlythreatenstheAmericanpeopleandourallies.I'malsoawarethatwearedealingwiththeimpactofaglobaleconomiccrisisthathasleftmillionsofAmericanslookingforwork.TheseareconcernsthatIconfronteverydayonbehalfoftheAmericanpeople.Someoftheworkconfrontinguswillnotbecompletedduringmypresidency.Some,liketheeliminationofnuclearweapons,maynotbecompletedinmylifetime.ButIknowthesechallengescanbemetsolongasit'srecognizedthattheywillnotbemetbyonepersonoronenationalone.Thisawardisnotsimplyabouttheeffortsofmyadministration--it'saboutthecourageouseffortsofpeoplearoundtheworld.Andthat'swhythisawardmustbesharedwitheveryonewhostrivesforjusticeanddignity--fortheyoungwomanwhomarchessilentlyinthestreetsonbehalfofherrighttobeheardeveninthefaceofbeatingsandbullets;fortheleaderimprisonedinherownhomebecausesherefusestoabandonhercommitmenttodemocracy;forthesoldierwhosacrificedthroughtouraftertourofdutyonbehalfofsomeonehalfaworldaway;andforallthosemenandwomenacrotheworldwhosacrificetheirsafetyandtheirfreedomandsometimetheirlivesforthecauseofpeace.ThathasalwaysbeenthecauseofAmerica.That'swhytheworldhasalwayslookedtoAmerica.Andthat'swhyIbelieveAmericawillcontinuetolead.
Thankyouverymuch.
奧巴馬諾貝爾獎獲獎感言——英文
THEPRESIDENT:YourMajesties,YourRoyalHighnesses,distinguishedmembersoftheNorwegianNobelCommittee,citizensofAmerica,andcitizensoftheworld:Ireceivethishonorwithdeepgratitudeandgreathumility.Itisanawardthatspeakstoourhighestaspirations--thatforallthecrueltyandhardshipofourworld,wearenotmereprisonersoffate.Ouractionsmatter,andcanbendhistoryinthedirectionofjustice.
AndyetIwouldberemiifIdidnotacknowledgetheconsiderablecontroversythatyourgenerousdecisionhasgenerated.(Laughter.)Inpart,thisisbecauseIamatthebeginning,andnottheend, http://emrowgh.com paredtosomeofthegiantsofhistorywhovereceivedthisprize--SchweitzerandKing;MarshallandMandela--myaccomplishmentsareslight.Andthentherearethemenandwomenaroundtheworldwhohavebeenjailedandbeateninthepursuitofjustice;thosewhotoilinhumanitarianorganizationstorelievesuffering;theunrecognizedmillionswhosequietactsofcourageandcompassioninspireeventhemosthardenedcynics.Icannotarguewiththosewhofindthesemenandwomen--someknown,someobscuretoallbutthosetheyhelp--tobefarmoredeservingofthishonorthanI.
ButperhapsthemostprofoundissuesurroundingmyreceiptofthisprizeisthefactthatIamtheCommander-in-Chiefofthemilitaryofanationinthemidstoftwowars.Oneofthesewarsiswindingdown.TheotherisaconflictthatAmericadidnotseek;oneinwhichwearejoinedby42othercountries--includingNorway--inanefforttodefendourselvesandallnationsfromfurtherattacks.
Still,weareatwar,andImresponsibleforthedeploymentofthousandsofyoungAmericanstobattleinadistantland.Somewillkill,andsomewillbekilled.AndsoIcomeherewithanacutesenseofthecostsofarmedconflict--filledwithdifficultquestionsabouttherelationshipbetweenwarandpeace,andourefforttoreplaceonewiththeother.
Nowthesequestionsarenotnew.War,inoneformoranother,appearedwiththefirstman.Atthedawnofhistory,itsmoralitywasnotquestioned;itwassimplyafact,likedroughtordisease--themannerinwhichtribesandthencivilizationssoughtpowerandsettledtheirdifferences.
Andovertime,ascodesoflawsoughttocontrolviolencewithingroups,sodid
philosophersandclericsandstatesmenseektoregulatethedestructivepowerofwar.Theconceptofa“justwar”emerged,suggestingthatwarisjustifiedonlywhencertainconditionsweremet:ifitiswagedasalastresortorinself-defense;iftheforceusedisproportional;andif,wheneverpossible,civiliansaresparedfromviolence.
Ofcourse,weknowthatformostofhistory,thisconceptof“justwar”wasrarelyobserved.Thecapacityofhumanbeingstothinkupnewwaystokilloneanotherprovedinexhaustible,asdidourcapacitytoexemptfrommercythosewholookdifferentorpraytoadifferentGod.Warsbetweenarmiesgavewaytowarsbetween1
http://emrowgh.com hespanof30years,suchcarnagewouldtwiceengulfthiscontinent.AndwhileitshardtoconceiveofacausemorejustthanthedefeatoftheThirdReichandtheAxispowers,WorldWarIIwasaconflictinwhichthetotalnumberofcivilianswhodiedexceededthenumberofsoldierswhoperished.
Inthewakeofsuchdestruction,andwiththeadventofthenuclearage,itbecamecleartovictorandvanquishedalikethattheworldneededinstitutionstopreventanotherworldwar.Andso,aquartercenturyaftertheUnitedStatesSenaterejectedtheLeagueofNations--anideaforwhichWoodrowWilsonreceivedthisprize--Americaledtheworldinconstructinganarchitecturetokeepthepeace:aMarshallPlanandaUnitedNations,mechanismstogovernthewagingofwar,treatiestoprotecthumanrights,preventgenocide,restrictthemostdangerousweapons.
Inmanyways,theseeffortssucceeded.Yes,terriblewarshavebeenfought, http://emrowgh.com mercehasstitchedmuchoftheworldtogether.Billionshavebeenliftedfrompoverty.Theidealsoflibertyand
self-determination,equalityandtheruleoflawhavehaltinglyadvanced.Wearetheheirsofthefortitudeandforesightofgenerationspast,anditisalegacyforwhichmyowncountryisrightfullyproud.
Andyet,adecadeintoanewcentury,thisoldarchitectureisbucklingundertheweightofnewthreats.Theworldmaynolongershudderattheprospectofwarbetweentwonuclearsuperpowers,butproliferationmayincreasetheriskof
catastrophe.Terrorismhaslongbeenatactic,butmoderntechnologyallowsafewsmallmenwithoutsizedragetomurderinnocentsonahorrificscale.
Moreover,warsbetweennationshaveincreasinglygivenwaytowarswithinnations.Theresurgenceofethnicorsectarianconflicts;thegrowthofsecessionistmovements,insurgencies, http://emrowgh.com odayswars,manymoreciviliansarekilledthansoldiers;theseedsoffutureconflictaresown,economiesarewrecked,civilsocietiestornasunder,refugeesamassed,childrenscarred.
Idonotbringwithmetodayadefinitivesolutiontotheproblemsofwar.WhatIdoknowisthatmeetingthesechallengeswillrequirethesamevision,hardwork,andpersistenceofthosemenandwomenwhoactedsoboldlydecadesago.Anditwillrequireustothinkinnewwaysaboutthenotionsofjustwarandtheimperativesofajustpeace.
Wemustbeginbyacknowledgingthehardtruth:Wewillnoteradicateviolent
conflictinourlifetimes.Therewillbetimeswhennations--actingindividuallyorinconcert--willfindtheuseofforcenotonlynecessarybutmorallyjustified.
ImakethisstatementmindfulofwhatMartinLutherKingJr.saidinthissame2
ceremonyyearsago:“Violenceneverbringspermanentpeace.Itsolvesnosocialproblem:itmerelycreatesnewandmorecomplicatedones.”AssomeonewhostandshereasadirectconsequenceofDr.Kingslifework,Iamlivingtestimonytothemoralforceofnon-violence.Iknowtheresnothingweak--nothingpassive--nothingna?ve--inthecreedandlivesofGandhiandKing.
Butasaheadofstatesworntoprotectanddefendmynation,Icannotbeguidedbytheirexamplesalone.Ifacetheworldasitis,andcannotstandidleinthefaceofthreatstotheAmericanpeople.Formakenomistake:Evildoesexistintheworld.Anon-violentmovementcouldnothavehaltedHitlersarmies.NegotiationscannotconvincealQaedasleaderstolaydowntheirarms.Tosaythatforcemaysometimesbenecessaryisnotacalltocynicism--itisarecognitionofhistory;theimperfectionsofmanandthelimitsofreason.
Iraisethispoint,Ibeginwiththispointbecauseinmanycountriesthereisadeepambivalenceaboutmilitaryactiontoday,nomatterwhatthecause.Andattimes,thisisjoinedbyareflexivesuspicionofAmerica,theworldssolemilitarysuperpower.
Buttheworldmustrememberthatitwasnotsimplyinternationalinstitutions--notjusttreatiesanddeclarations--thatbroughtstabilitytoapost-WorldWarIIworld.Whatevermistakeswehavemade,theplainfactisthis:TheUnitedStatesofAmericahashelpedunderwriteglobalsecurityformorethansixdecadeswiththebloodofourcitizensandthestrengthofourarms.TheserviceandsacrificeofourmenandwomeninuniformhaspromotedpeaceandprosperityfromGermanytoKorea,andenableddemocracytotakeholdinplacesliketheBalkans.Wehavebornethisburdennotbecauseweseektoimposeourwill.Wehavedonesooutofenlightenedself-interest--becauseweseekabetterfutureforourchildrenandgrandchildren,andwebelievethattheirliveswillbebetterifotherschildrenandgrandchildrencanliveinfreedomandprosperity.
Soyes,theinstrumentsofwardohavearoletoplayinpreservingthepeace.Andyetthistruthmustcoexistwithanother--thatnomatterhowjustified,warpromiseshumantragedy.Thesoldierscourageandsacrificeisfullofglory,expressing
devotiontocountry,tocause,tocomradesinarms.Butwaritselfisneverglorious,andwemustnevertrumpetitassuch.
Sopartofourchallengeisreconcilingthesetwoseeminglyinreconcilabletruths--thatwarissometimesnecessary, http://emrowgh.com ncretely,wemustdirectourefforttothetaskthatPresidentKennedycalledforlongago.“Letusfocus,”hesaid,“onamorepractical,moreattainablepeace,basednotonasuddenrevolutioninhumannaturebutonagradualevolutioninhumaninstitutions.”Agradualevolutionofhumaninstitutions.
Whatmightthisevolutionlooklike?Whatmightthesepracticalstepsbe?3
Tobeginwith,Ibelievethatallnations--strongandweakalike--mustadheretostandardsthatgoverntheuseofforce.I--likeanyheadofstate--reservetherighttoactunilaterallyifnecessarytodefendmynation.Nevertheless,Iamconvincedthatadheringtostandards,internationalstandards,strengthensthosewhodo,andisolatesandweakensthosewhodont.
TheworldralliedaroundAmericaafterthe9/11attacks,andcontinuestosupportoureffortsinAfghanistan,becauseofthehorrorofthosesenseleattacksandtherecognizedprincipleofself-defense.Likewise,theworldrecognizedtheneedtoconfrontSaddamHusseinwhenheinvadedKuwait--aconsensusthatsentaclearmessagetoallaboutthecostofaggression.
Furthermore,America--infact,nonation--caninsistthatothersfollowtherulesoftheroadifwerefusetofollowthemourselves.Forwhenwedont,ouractionsappeararbitraryandundercutthelegitimacyoffutureinterventions,nomatterhowjustified.Andthisbecomesparticularlyimportantwhenthepurposeofmilitaryaction
extendsbeyondself-defenseorthedefenseofonenationagainstanaggressor.Moreandmore,weallconfrontdifficultquestionsabouthowtopreventtheslaughterofciviliansbytheirowngovernment,ortostopacivilwarwhoseviolenceandsufferingcanengulfanentireregion.
Ibelievethatforcecanbejustifiedonhumanitariangrounds,asitwasintheBalkans,orinotherplacesthathavebeenscarredbywar.Inactiontearsatourconscienceandcanleadtomorecostlyinterventionlater.Thatswhyallresponsiblenationsmustembracetherolethatmilitarieswithaclearmandatecanplaytokeepthepeace.Americascommitmenttoglobalsecuritywillneverwaver.Butinaworldinwhichthreatsaremorediffuse,andmissionsmorecomplex,Americacannotactalone.Americaalonecannotsecurethepeace.ThisistrueinAfghanistan.ThisistrueinfailedstateslikeSomalia,whereterrorismandpiracyisjoinedbyfamineandhumansuffering.Andsadly,itwillcontinuetobetrueinunstableregionsforyearstocome.
TheleadersandsoldiersofNATOcountries,andotherfriendsandallies,demonstratethistruththroughthecapacityandcouragetheyveshowninAfghanistan.Butinmanycountries,thereisadisconnectbetweentheeffortsofthosewhoserveandtheambivalenceofthebroaderpublic.Iunderstandwhywarisnotpopular,butIalsoknowthis:Thebeliefthatpeaceisdesirableisrarelyenoughtoachieveit.Peacerequiresresponsibility.Peaceentailssacrifice.ThatswhyNATOcontinuestobeindispensable.ThatswhywemuststrengthenU.N.andregionalpeacekeeping,andnotleavethetasktoafewcountries.ThatswhywehonorthosewhoreturnhomefrompeacekeepingandtrainingabroadtoOsloandRome;toOttawaandSydney;toDhakaandKigali--wehonorthemnotasmakersofwar,butofwagers--butaswagersofpeace.
Letmemakeonefinalpointabouttheuseofforce.Evenaswemakedifficult4
decisionsaboutgoingtowar,wemustalsothinkclearlyabouthowwefightit.TheNobelCommitteerecognizedthistruthinawardingitsfirstprizeforpeacetoHenryDunant--thefounderoftheRedCross,andadrivingforcebehindtheGenevaConventions.
Whereforceisnecessary,wehaveamoralandstrategicinterestinbindingourselvestocertainrulesofconduct.Andevenasweconfrontaviciousadversarythatabidesbynorules,IbelievetheUnitedStatesofAmericamustremainastandardbearerintheconductofwar.Thatiswhatmakesusdifferentfromthosewhomwefight.Thatisasourceofourstrength.ThatiswhyIprohibitedtorture.ThatiswhyIorderedtheprisonatGuantanamoBayclosed.AndthatiswhyIhavereaffirmedAmericascommitmenttoabidebytheGenevaConventions.Weloseourselveswhenwe
compromisetheveryidealsthatwefighttodefend.(Applause.)Andwehonor--wehonorthoseidealsbyupholdingthemnotwhenitseasy,butwhenitishard.
Ihavespokenatsomelengthtothequestionthatmustweighonourmindsandourheartsaswechoosetowagewar.Butletmenowturntoourefforttoavoidsuchtragicchoices,andspeakofthreewaysthatwecanbuildajustandlastingpeace.
First,indealingwiththosenationsthatbreakrulesandlaws,Ibelievethatwemustdevelopalternativestoviolencethataretoughenoughtoactuallychangebehavior--forifwewantalastingpeace,thenthewordsoftheinternationalcommunitymustmeansomething.Thoseregimesthatbreaktherulesmustbeheldaccountable.
http://emrowgh.com ransigencemustbemetwithincreasedpressure--andsuchpressureexistsonlywhentheworldstandstogetherasone.
Oneurgentexampleistheefforttopreventthespreadofnuclearweapons, http://emrowgh.com hemiddleofthelastcentury,nationsagreedtobeboundbyatreatywhosebargainisclear:Allwillhaveaccetopeacefulnuclearpower;thosewithoutnuclearweaponswillforsakethem;andthosewithnuclearweaponswillworktowardsdisarmament.Iamcommittedtoupholdingthistreaty.Itisa
centerpieceofmyforeignpolicy.AndImworkingwithPresidentMedvedevtoreduceAmericaandRussiasnuclearstockpiles.
ButitisalsoincumbentuponallofustoinsistthatnationslikeIranandNorthKoreadonotgamethesystem.Thosewhoclaimtorespectinternationallawcannotaverttheireyeswhenthoselawsareflouted.ThosewhocarefortheirownsecuritycannotignorethedangerofanarmsraceintheMiddleEastorEastAsia.Thosewhoseekpeacecannotstandidlybyasnationsarmthemselvesfornuclearwar.
Thesameprincipleappliestothosewhoviolateinternationallawsbybrutalizingtheirownpeople.WhenthereisgenocideinDarfur,systematicrapeinCongo,repressioninBurma--theremustbeconsequences.Yes,therewillbeengagement;yes,therewillbediplomacy--buttheremustbeconsequenceswhenthosethingsfail.Andthecloserwestandtogether,thelelikelywewillbefacedwiththechoicebetweenarmedinterventionandcomplicityinoppression.
Thisbringsmetoasecondpoint--thenatureofthepeacethatweseek.Forpeaceisnotmerelytheabsenceofvisibleconflict.Onlyajustpeacebasedontheinherentrightsanddignityofeveryindividualcantrulybelasting.
http://emrowgh.com hewakeofdevastation,theyrecognizedthatifhumanrightsarenotprotected,peaceisahollowpromise.
Andyettoooften,thesewordsareignored.Forsomecountries,thefailuretoupholdhumanrightsisexcusedbythefalsesuggestionthatthesearesomehowWesternprinciples,foreigntolocalculturesorstagesofanationsdevelopment.AndwithinAmerica,therehaslongbeenatensionbetweenthosewhodescribethemselvesasrealistsoridealists--atensionthatsuggestsastarkchoicebetweenthenarrowpursuitofinterestsoranendlecampaigntoimposeourvaluesaroundtheworld.
Irejectthesechoices.Ibelievethatpeaceisunstablewherecitizensaredeniedtherighttospeakfreelyorworshipastheyplease;choosetheirownleadersorassemblewithoutfear.Pent-upgrievancesfester,andthesuppressionoftribalandreligiousidentitycanleadtoviolence.Wealsoknowthattheoppositeistrue.OnlywhenEuropebecamefreediditfinallyfindpeace.Americahasneverfoughtawaragainstademocracy,andourclosestfriendsaregovernmentsthatprotecttherightsoftheircitizens.Nomatterhowcallouslydefined,neitherAmericasinterests--northeworlds--areservedbythedenialofhumanaspirations.
Soevenaswerespecttheuniquecultureandtraditionsofdifferentcountries,Americawillalwaysbeavoiceforthoseaspirationsthatareuniversal.WewillbearwitnetothequietdignityofreformerslikeAungSangSuuKyi;tothebraveryof
Zimbabweanswhocasttheirballotsinthefaceofbeatings;tothehundredsof
thousandswhohavemarchedsilentlythroughthestreetsofIran.Itistellingthattheleadersofthesegovernmentsfeartheaspirationsoftheirownpeoplemorethanthepowerofanyothernation.Anditistheresponsibilityofallfreepeopleandfree
nationstomakeclearthatthesemovements--thesemovementsofhopeandhistory--theyhaveusontheirside.
Letmealsosaythis:Thepromotionofhumanrightscannotbeaboutexhortationalone.Attimes,itmustbecoupledwithpainstakingdiplomacy.Iknowthat
engagementwithrepressiveregimeslacksthesatisfyingpurityofindignation.ButIalsoknowthatsanctionswithoutoutreach--condemnationwithoutdiscussion--cancarryforwardonlyacripplingstatusquo.Norepressiveregimecanmovedownanewpathunleithasthechoiceofanopendoor.
InlightoftheCulturalRevolutionshorrors,NixonsmeetingwithMaoappearedinexcusable--andyetitsurelyhelpedsetChinaonapathwheremillionsofitscitizenshavebeenliftedfrompovertyandconnectedtoopensocieties.PopeJohnPaulsengagementwithPolandcreatedspacenotjustfortheCatholicChurch,butforlaborleaderslikeLechWalesa.RonaldReaganseffortsonarmscontrolandembrace
ofperestroikanotonlyimprovedrelationswiththeSovietUnion,butempowereddissidentsthroughoutEasternEurope.Theresnosimpleformulahere.Butwemusttryasbestwecantobalanceisolationandengagement,pressureandincentives,sothathumanrightsanddignityareadvancedovertime.
Third,ajustpeaceincludesnotonlycivilandpoliticalrights--itmustencompaeconomicsecurityandopportunity.Fortruepeaceisnotjustfreedomfromfear,butfreedomfromwant.
Itisundoubtedlytruethatdevelopmentrarelytakesrootwithoutsecurity;itisalsotruethatsecuritydoesnotexistwherehumanbeingsdonothaveaccetoenoughfood,orcleanwater,orthemedicineandsheltertheyneedtosurvive.Itdoesnotexistwherechildrencantaspiretoadecenteducationorajobthatsupportsafamily.Theabsenceofhopecanrotasocietyfromwithin.
Andthatswhyhelpingfarmersfeedtheirownpeople--ornationseducatetheir
childrenandcareforthesick--isnotmerecharity.Itsalsowhytheworldmustcometogethertoconfrontclimatechange.Thereislittlescientificdisputethatifwedonothing,wewillfacemoredrought,morefamine,moremadisplacement--allofwhichwillfuelmoreconflictfordecades.Forthisreason,itisnotmerelyscientistsandenvironmentalactivistswhocallforswiftandforcefulaction--itsmilitary
leadersinmyowncountryandotherswhounderstandourcommonsecurityhangsinthebalance.
Agreementsamongnations.Stronginstitutions.Supportforhumanrights.
Investmentsindevelopment.AllthesearevitalingredientsinbringingabouttheevolutionthatPresidentKennedyspokeabout.Andyet,Idonotbelievethatwewillhavethewill,thedetermination,thestayingpower,tocompletethisworkwithoutsomethingmore--andthatsthecontinuedexpansionofourmoralimagination;aninsistencethattheressomethingirreduciblethatweallshare.
Astheworldgrowssmaller,youmightthinkitwouldbeeasierforhumanbeingstorecognizehowsimilarweare;tounderstandthatwereallbasicallyseekingthesamethings;thatweallhopeforthechancetoliveoutourliveswithsomemeasureofhappineandfulfillmentforourselvesandourfamilies.
Andyetsomehow,giventhedizzyingpaceofglobalization,theculturallevelingofmodernity,itperhapscomesasnosurprisethatpeoplefeartheloofwhattheycherishintheirparticularidentities--theirrace,theirtribe,andperhapsmost
powerfullytheirreligion.Insomeplaces,thisfearhasledtoconflict.Attimes,itevenfeelslikeweremovingbackwards.WeseeitintheMiddleEast,astheconflictbetweenArabsandJewsseemstoharden.Weseeitinnationsthataretornasunderbytriballines.
Andmostdangerously,weseeitinthewaythatreligionisusedtojustifythemurder
ofinnocentsbythosewhohavedistortedanddefiledthegreatreligionofIslam,andwhoattackedmycountryfromAfghanistan.TheseextremistsarenotthefirsttokillinthenameofGod;thecrueltiesoftheCrusadesareamplyrecorded.ButtheyremindusthatnoHolyWarcaneverbeajustwar.Forifyoutrulybelievethatyouarecarryingoutdivinewill,thenthereisnoneedforrestraint--noneedtosparethepregnantmother,orthemedic,ortheRedCroworker,orevenapersonofonesownfaith.Suchawarpedviewofreligionisnotjustincompatiblewiththeconceptofpeace,butIbelieveitsincompatiblewiththeverypurposeoffaith--fortheonerulethatliesattheheartofeverymajorreligionisthatwedountoothersaswewouldhavethemdountous.
Adheringtothislawoflovehasalwaysbeenthecorestruggleofhumannature.Forwearefallible.Wemakemistakes,andfallvictimtothetemptationsofpride,andpower,andsometimesevil.Eventhoseofuswiththebestofintentionswillattimesfailtorightthewrongsbeforeus.
Butwedonothavetothinkthathumannatureisperfectforustostillbelievethatthehumanconditioncanbeperfected.Wedonothavetoliveinanidealizedworldtostillreachforthoseidealsthatwillmakeitabetterplace.Thenon-violencepracticedbymenlikeGandhiandKingmaynothavebeenpracticalorpossibleinevery
circumstance,butthelovethattheypreached--theirfundamentalfaithinhumanprogre--thatmustalwaysbetheNorthStarthatguidesusonourjourney.
Forifwelosethatfaith--ifwedismiitassillyorna?ve;ifwedivorceitfromthedecisionsthatwemakeonissuesofwarandpeace--thenwelosewhatsbestabouthumanity.Weloseoursenseofpossibility.Weloseourmoralcompass.
Likegenerationshavebeforeus,wemustrejectthatfuture.AsDr.Kingsaidatthisoccasionsomanyyearsago,“Irefusetoacceptdespairasthefinalresponsetotheambiguitiesofhistory.Irefusetoaccepttheideathattheisneofmanspresentconditionmakeshimmorallyincapableofreachingupfortheeternaloughtnethatforeverconfrontshim.”
Letusreachfortheworldthatoughttobe--thatsparkofthedivinethatstillstirswithineachofoursouls.(Applause.)
Somewheretoday,inthehereandnow,intheworldasitis,asoldierseeshesoutgunned,butstandsfirmtokeepthepeace.Somewheretoday,inthisworld,ayoungprotestorawaitsthebrutalityofhergovernment,buthasthecouragetomarchon.Somewheretoday,amotherfacingpunishingpovertystilltakesthetimetoteachherchild,scrapestogetherwhatfewcoinsshehastosendthatchildtoschool--becauseshebelievesthatacruelworldstillhasaplaceforthatchildsdreams.
Letuslivebytheirexample.Wecanacknowledgethatoppressionwillalwaysbewithus,andstillstriveforjustice.Wecanadmittheintractabilityofdepravation,andstillstrivefordignity.Clear-eyed,wecanunderstandthattherewillbewar,andstill
striveforpeace.Wecandothat--forthatisthestoryofhumanprogress;thatsthehopeofalltheworld;andatthismomentofchallenge,thatmustbeourworkhereonEarth.
Thankyouverymuch.