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| Trump at UN: US may 'have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea' – live | Trump at UN: US may 'have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea' – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.26pm BST | |
| 18:26 | |
| Trump has doubled-down on his earlier threat to “totally destroy” North Korea in a tweet. | |
| The🇺🇸has great strength & patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy #NoKo. pic.twitter.com/P4vAanXvgm | |
| 6.20pm BST | |
| 18:20 | |
| Colombia’s president Juan Manuel Santos Calderón also speaks passionately in favor of the United Nations. | |
| He says Colombia is concerned about Venezuela, its neighboring country. | |
| Venezuela “pains us,” he says. He calls on the international community to lend support to the people of Venezuela in the search for a “peaceful solution”. | |
| He speaks about how his country melts down weapons and says, as a recipient of the Nobel Peace prize, he believes we should all be working together. “We human being are one, what affects one of us affects all of us,” he says. | |
| He concludes by speaking about an issue he says he can’t ignore, the war on drugs. He says drug policies should emphasize decriminalization “It is time to accept while there is consumption, there will be supply,” he says. | |
| It is his last speech to the general assembly. “With the strength of love, we can overcome fear,” he says. | |
| 6.05pm BST | |
| 18:05 | |
| Venezuela’s foreign minister Jorge Arreaza has responded to Trump’s speech. | |
| Venezuelan reaction also predictable, but Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza apparently thinks he's insulting Trump by comparing him to Reagan pic.twitter.com/tbRHcRJrAM | |
| We do not accept threats from President Trump or whoever in this world. We are people of peace, peaceful people and we want relations of mutual respect. This racist and supremacist theory which he’s exposing, this return to the Cold War, for a moment we didn’t know if we were listening to President Reagan in 1982 or President Trump in 2017 | |
| 6.02pm BST | 6.02pm BST |
| 18:02 | 18:02 |
| Macron: 'It’s not walls that protect us, it’s our desire to act' | Macron: 'It’s not walls that protect us, it’s our desire to act' |
| Macron mentions “multilateralism” multiple times in his remarks – a clear rebuke to Trump – then explains at-length why he believes it is so important to the world order. He says multilateralism is needed to improve functions at the UN so countries can better coordinate crisis management. | Macron mentions “multilateralism” multiple times in his remarks – a clear rebuke to Trump – then explains at-length why he believes it is so important to the world order. He says multilateralism is needed to improve functions at the UN so countries can better coordinate crisis management. |
| He returns to the thread about the UN giving world leaders an opportunity to provide a voice for the voiceless. | He returns to the thread about the UN giving world leaders an opportunity to provide a voice for the voiceless. |
| “The safety of all of us is also our safety,” he says. “Their lives are our lives”. | “The safety of all of us is also our safety,” he says. “Their lives are our lives”. |
| “It’s not walls that protect us, it’s our desire to act,” he says. Another Trump critique. | “It’s not walls that protect us, it’s our desire to act,” he says. Another Trump critique. |
| “We cannot have on the one hand, one camp that is multilateral and another camp that is unilateral in its approach,” he says, calling again for multilateralism. | “We cannot have on the one hand, one camp that is multilateral and another camp that is unilateral in its approach,” he says, calling again for multilateralism. |
| At the end of his speech, he is met with enthusiastic applause. | At the end of his speech, he is met with enthusiastic applause. |
| 5.53pm BST | 5.53pm BST |
| 17:53 | 17:53 |
| Macron says North Korea poses “an existential threat” and that it’s all the countries responsibilities, including China and Russia, to bring North Korea to the negotiation table. | Macron says North Korea poses “an existential threat” and that it’s all the countries responsibilities, including China and Russia, to bring North Korea to the negotiation table. |
| He pivots from North Korea to Iran, advocating in favor of the existing Iran nuclear deal. | He pivots from North Korea to Iran, advocating in favor of the existing Iran nuclear deal. |
| “This is a good agreement, an agreement that’s essential to peace” he says, at a time when there is potential for a “downward spiral”. | “This is a good agreement, an agreement that’s essential to peace” he says, at a time when there is potential for a “downward spiral”. |
| Macron says this is a message he has been sharing with the delegations from the US and Iran. More on that, by Julian Borger, here: | Macron says this is a message he has been sharing with the delegations from the US and Iran. More on that, by Julian Borger, here: |
| 5.49pm BST | 5.49pm BST |
| 17:49 | 17:49 |
| “When I hear our colleagues talk about the world that exists today they forget about the world behind us,” says France’s president Emmanuel Macron. | “When I hear our colleagues talk about the world that exists today they forget about the world behind us,” says France’s president Emmanuel Macron. |
| He talks about advocating for people who do not have a voice and throughout the speech quotes refugees from conflict zones including Libya and Syria – as well as victims of natural disasters tied to climate change. | He talks about advocating for people who do not have a voice and throughout the speech quotes refugees from conflict zones including Libya and Syria – as well as victims of natural disasters tied to climate change. |
| Macron says France is opposed to chemical weapons in Syria and will continue its fight against terrorism there. He repeatedly emphasizes that these issues cannot be resolved solely with a military response – he says a political response is needed too. | Macron says France is opposed to chemical weapons in Syria and will continue its fight against terrorism there. He repeatedly emphasizes that these issues cannot be resolved solely with a military response – he says a political response is needed too. |
| Macron also denounces the “ethnic cleansing” of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. | Macron also denounces the “ethnic cleansing” of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. |
| He says France remains committed to the Paris climate agreement and that the country will be introducing an environment measure at the UN today. Again, he says world leaders should be looking forward instead of to the past. He’s been speaking for more than 22 minutes. | He says France remains committed to the Paris climate agreement and that the country will be introducing an environment measure at the UN today. Again, he says world leaders should be looking forward instead of to the past. He’s been speaking for more than 22 minutes. |
| 5.25pm BST | 5.25pm BST |
| 17:25 | 17:25 |
| The presidents of four countries have just spoken in favor of working together to end conflict and strife and warned of threats facing their countries and the world. | The presidents of four countries have just spoken in favor of working together to end conflict and strife and warned of threats facing their countries and the world. |
| Slovakia’s president Andrej Kiska spoke about the importance of working together to address crises like famine and conflict and putting aside “egoism” in responding to the world’s problems. | Slovakia’s president Andrej Kiska spoke about the importance of working together to address crises like famine and conflict and putting aside “egoism” in responding to the world’s problems. |
| “North Korea openly threatens our world with nuclear weapons,” he said. “Such disrespect to human life cannot be tolerated”. | “North Korea openly threatens our world with nuclear weapons,” he said. “Such disrespect to human life cannot be tolerated”. |
| He stepped down and was replaced by Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari, who talked about the threats of Isis and Boko Haram. He called for the empowerment of women and free and fair elections. “Our faith in democracy remains firm and unshaken,” Buhari said. | He stepped down and was replaced by Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari, who talked about the threats of Isis and Boko Haram. He called for the empowerment of women and free and fair elections. “Our faith in democracy remains firm and unshaken,” Buhari said. |
| The Czech Republic’s president Miloš Zeman ended his speech with a quote: “If I knew there would be doomsday tomorrow I would go today and plant my apple tree”. It is a reference to a quote attributed to Martin Luther, that may have actually originated with church members opposed to Nazi rule in Germany. | The Czech Republic’s president Miloš Zeman ended his speech with a quote: “If I knew there would be doomsday tomorrow I would go today and plant my apple tree”. It is a reference to a quote attributed to Martin Luther, that may have actually originated with church members opposed to Nazi rule in Germany. |
| And Liberia’s president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf just ended her speech. She is the first female president of Africa and highlighted the progress the country has made during her rule. Sirleaf has announced she will step down and the election for her successor is next month. “Liberia is your post-conflict success story,” she said. | And Liberia’s president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf just ended her speech. She is the first female president of Africa and highlighted the progress the country has made during her rule. Sirleaf has announced she will step down and the election for her successor is next month. “Liberia is your post-conflict success story,” she said. |
| 5.07pm BST | 5.07pm BST |
| 17:07 | 17:07 |
| On Twitter, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders just highlighted a quote by Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama. | On Twitter, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders just highlighted a quote by Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama. |
| Presidents have always been clear to deter threats: “We could, obviously, destroy North Korea with our arsenals” -@BarackObama last year | Presidents have always been clear to deter threats: “We could, obviously, destroy North Korea with our arsenals” -@BarackObama last year |
| People quickly responded to Sanders with the next line of Obama’s quote: “But aside from the humanitarian costs of that, they are right next door to our vital ally, Republic of Korea”. | People quickly responded to Sanders with the next line of Obama’s quote: “But aside from the humanitarian costs of that, they are right next door to our vital ally, Republic of Korea”. |
| The second line highlights the impact a war with North Korea could have on South Korea, whose capital city of Seoul is just 35 miles south of the demilitarized zone, the heavily armed border between the north and the south. There are 10 million people in Seoul and 28,500 US troops in South Korea. | The second line highlights the impact a war with North Korea could have on South Korea, whose capital city of Seoul is just 35 miles south of the demilitarized zone, the heavily armed border between the north and the south. There are 10 million people in Seoul and 28,500 US troops in South Korea. |
| Trump’s remarks were delivered around midnight in the Korean peninsula. | Trump’s remarks were delivered around midnight in the Korean peninsula. |
| 4.38pm BST | 4.38pm BST |
| 16:38 | 16:38 |
| Netanyahu praises Trump's 'brave and clear' speech | Netanyahu praises Trump's 'brave and clear' speech |
| Peter Beaumont | Peter Beaumont |
| Our Jerusalem correspondent, Peter Beaumont, has reaction to Trump’s speech from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. | Our Jerusalem correspondent, Peter Beaumont, has reaction to Trump’s speech from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. |
| He says Netanyahu “could have written the section on Iran so closely does it ally with his own views on the threat posed by Tehran”. | He says Netanyahu “could have written the section on Iran so closely does it ally with his own views on the threat posed by Tehran”. |
| Praising Trump, ahead of his own speech later this afternoon, Netanyahu said: | Praising Trump, ahead of his own speech later this afternoon, Netanyahu said: |
| In my more than 30 years at the UN, I have never heard such a brave and clear speech. President Trump told the truth about the world’s lurking dangers, and called for them to be addressed with fortitude, to ensure the future of humanity. | In my more than 30 years at the UN, I have never heard such a brave and clear speech. President Trump told the truth about the world’s lurking dangers, and called for them to be addressed with fortitude, to ensure the future of humanity. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.49pm BST | at 4.49pm BST |
| 4.26pm BST | 4.26pm BST |
| 16:26 | 16:26 |
| The president of the Switzerland confederation, Doris Leuthard, opens by speaking about the world’s greatest challenges, like famine, and says that “no one country” can solve these issues on their own. | The president of the Switzerland confederation, Doris Leuthard, opens by speaking about the world’s greatest challenges, like famine, and says that “no one country” can solve these issues on their own. |
| “The purpose of the UN is to maintain international peace and security,” she says, taking a moment to speak in English, though most of her address is in French. | “The purpose of the UN is to maintain international peace and security,” she says, taking a moment to speak in English, though most of her address is in French. |
| She makes a clear allusion to Trump, saying that country’s cannot solve the world’s issues on their own and that she is a patriot, which is why she believes in a strong UN. | She makes a clear allusion to Trump, saying that country’s cannot solve the world’s issues on their own and that she is a patriot, which is why she believes in a strong UN. |
| She then continues her address in French, touching on the need to reduce sexual exploitation (an effort which Switzerland is contributing funds to the UN to end), and to help resolve the conflict in Libya. | She then continues her address in French, touching on the need to reduce sexual exploitation (an effort which Switzerland is contributing funds to the UN to end), and to help resolve the conflict in Libya. |
| “To each his own” is not a viable way of responding to global issues, says Leuthard, concluding her speech. | “To each his own” is not a viable way of responding to global issues, says Leuthard, concluding her speech. |
| A reminder: Switzerland has no head of state, but instead a committee of seven elected leaders, known as the Federal Council. | A reminder: Switzerland has no head of state, but instead a committee of seven elected leaders, known as the Federal Council. |
| 4.11pm BST | 4.11pm BST |
| 16:11 | 16:11 |
| Condé also speaks about terrorism, saying it can only be eradicated if poverty ends. | Condé also speaks about terrorism, saying it can only be eradicated if poverty ends. |
| He advocates for a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestine conflict. He reaffirms the republic’s support of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. | He advocates for a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestine conflict. He reaffirms the republic’s support of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. |
| “African young people and women are determined to write a new page in the history of humanity,” he says, asking for the UN to help make that happen. | “African young people and women are determined to write a new page in the history of humanity,” he says, asking for the UN to help make that happen. |
| He ends the speech with a call of support for the Paris climate deal and a request for increased international aid to Sierra Leone. | He ends the speech with a call of support for the Paris climate deal and a request for increased international aid to Sierra Leone. |
| Switzerland is next. | Switzerland is next. |
| 4.06pm BST | 4.06pm BST |
| 16:06 | 16:06 |
| After a five-minute break, the group has reassembled. | After a five-minute break, the group has reassembled. |
| Now up, Guinea’s president, Alpha Condé. | Now up, Guinea’s president, Alpha Condé. |
| “The fact Africa is lagging behind will not always be the case,” he says. | “The fact Africa is lagging behind will not always be the case,” he says. |
| He calls for diversified economies in Africa through investment in energy, infrastructure and agriculture. | He calls for diversified economies in Africa through investment in energy, infrastructure and agriculture. |
| He says Africans “yearn for prosperity,” especially the country’s youth. | He says Africans “yearn for prosperity,” especially the country’s youth. |
| “Africa has decide to take responsibility for itself and to speak henceforth with one voice,” he says, speaking at length about the impact of the African Union. | “Africa has decide to take responsibility for itself and to speak henceforth with one voice,” he says, speaking at length about the impact of the African Union. |
| He says the UN security council “no longer reflects current realities” and bemoans the lack of significant African representation on the council. He calls for an enlargement of the council to include African representatives selected by the African Union. | He says the UN security council “no longer reflects current realities” and bemoans the lack of significant African representation on the council. He calls for an enlargement of the council to include African representatives selected by the African Union. |
| 3.59pm BST | 3.59pm BST |
| 15:59 | 15:59 |
| While Trump’s speech touched on myriad topics including migration, terrorism and the threatened destruction of North Korea, but speech-watchers note he missed several other key topics swirling at this year’s UN general assembly. | While Trump’s speech touched on myriad topics including migration, terrorism and the threatened destruction of North Korea, but speech-watchers note he missed several other key topics swirling at this year’s UN general assembly. |
| Missing from @realDonaldTrump's speech at #UNGA? Criticism of Russia. Hardly mentioned. | Missing from @realDonaldTrump's speech at #UNGA? Criticism of Russia. Hardly mentioned. |
| No mention of situation in #Myanmar or of #climatechange in @potus speech at #UNGA pic.twitter.com/NTRUhvhSbP | No mention of situation in #Myanmar or of #climatechange in @potus speech at #UNGA pic.twitter.com/NTRUhvhSbP |
| What Trump failed to address: Palestinian-Israeli peace process and climate change. #UNGA | What Trump failed to address: Palestinian-Israeli peace process and climate change. #UNGA |
| 3.46pm BST | 3.46pm BST |
| 15:46 | 15:46 |
| Trump finishes speech after 41 minutes | Trump finishes speech after 41 minutes |
| Trump speaks about the US middle class, saying they will be “forgotten no more”. | Trump speaks about the US middle class, saying they will be “forgotten no more”. |
| He heralds the importance of patriotism, again emphasizing that countries can only resolve global conflict if they protect themselves and their interests first. | He heralds the importance of patriotism, again emphasizing that countries can only resolve global conflict if they protect themselves and their interests first. |
| “Now we are calling for a great reawakening of nations,” he says. | “Now we are calling for a great reawakening of nations,” he says. |
| “We need to defeat the enemies of humanity and unlock the potential of life itself,” he says. | “We need to defeat the enemies of humanity and unlock the potential of life itself,” he says. |
| Trump thanks the audience and concludes, after about 41 minutes and 20 seconds, by saying: “God bless you, God bless the nations of the world, and God bless the United states of America”. | Trump thanks the audience and concludes, after about 41 minutes and 20 seconds, by saying: “God bless you, God bless the nations of the world, and God bless the United states of America”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.55pm BST | at 3.55pm BST |
| 3.39pm BST | 3.39pm BST |
| 15:39 | 15:39 |
| Trump briefly winds down his speech to speak about the need to empower “women entrepreneurs,” earning applause, before becoming angry again to talk about the US contributions to the UN. | Trump briefly winds down his speech to speak about the need to empower “women entrepreneurs,” earning applause, before becoming angry again to talk about the US contributions to the UN. |
| He says the US carries an “unfair burden” with the resources it provides to the UN. | He says the US carries an “unfair burden” with the resources it provides to the UN. |
| Trump then attacks Cuba and the government of Venezuela. He says people need to do more to address the situation there. | Trump then attacks Cuba and the government of Venezuela. He says people need to do more to address the situation there. |
| He begins the 34th minute of his speech with a critique of communism. | He begins the 34th minute of his speech with a critique of communism. |