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Obama urges world to stand united Obama urges world to stand united
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has said the world must face stark challenges, and the US cannot tackle them alone.US President Barack Obama has said the world must face stark challenges, and the US cannot tackle them alone.
In his first speech to the UN General Assembly, he said global problems included nuclear proliferation, war, climate change and economic crisis.In his first speech to the UN General Assembly, he said global problems included nuclear proliferation, war, climate change and economic crisis.
But the world shared a "common future", Mr Obama said, with all nations bearing responsibility to resolve its problems.But the world shared a "common future", Mr Obama said, with all nations bearing responsibility to resolve its problems.
He was followed by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who criticised the major powers on the Security Council.He was followed by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who criticised the major powers on the Security Council.
Mr Gaddafi's speech, which continued for more than an hour, was his first address to the UN General Assembly during his 40 years in power.Mr Gaddafi's speech, which continued for more than an hour, was his first address to the UN General Assembly during his 40 years in power.
We must build new coalitions that bridge old divides... All nations have rights and responsibilities - that's the bargain that makes this work US President Barack ObamaUN General AssemblyWe must build new coalitions that bridge old divides... All nations have rights and responsibilities - that's the bargain that makes this work US President Barack ObamaUN General Assembly
Relatives of victims of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing protested outside the UN headquarters as Col Gaddafi was due to arrive. The Libyan convicted of the bombing was released from a Scottish prison last month.Relatives of victims of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing protested outside the UN headquarters as Col Gaddafi was due to arrive. The Libyan convicted of the bombing was released from a Scottish prison last month.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has previously said he does not believe the Holocaust happened, is due to speak later on Wednesday.Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has previously said he does not believe the Holocaust happened, is due to speak later on Wednesday.
Israel has called for a boycott of his appearance and the Germans have said they will walk out if he repeats the claim.Israel has called for a boycott of his appearance and the Germans have said they will walk out if he repeats the claim.
'Act together''Act together'
In his maiden speech to the forum of leaders from more than 120 countries, Mr Obama acknowledged the expectations that accompanied his presidency - expectations, he said, which were "not about me". In his maiden speech to the forum of leaders from more than 120 nations, Mr Obama acknowledged the expectations that accompanied his presidency - expectations, he said, which were "not about me".
UN SPEECHES ON WEDNESDAY 1300 GMT - General debate 1330 - US President Obama1345 - Libyan Col Gaddafi1715 - UK Prime Minister Brown2015 - Russian President Medvedev2130 - Iranian President Ahmadinejad UN Assembly: Key Issues Big week for Obama at UN href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8270440.stm">Gaddafi protest planned UN SPEECHES ON WEDNESDAY US President ObamaLibyan Col GaddafiUK Prime Minister BrownRussian President MedvedevIranian President Ahmadinejad UN Assembly: Key Issues Big week for Obama at UN href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8270440.stm">Protests meet Gaddafi
He said that when he took office, "many around the world had come to view America with scepticism and mistrust".He said that when he took office, "many around the world had come to view America with scepticism and mistrust".
He said some of this was based on "misperceptions" but it was also due to "opposition to specific policies".He said some of this was based on "misperceptions" but it was also due to "opposition to specific policies".
But "we share a common future", he said, and "no longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences". But Mr Obama said "no world order which elevates one nation above others" could succeed in tackling the world's problems.
Mr Obama outlined "four pillars" which encapsulated the challenges facing the world: nuclear proliferation; peace and security; preservation of the planet; the global economy. "Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world's problems alone," he said.
He also said "no world order which elevates one nation above others" could succeed in tackling these problems. "We must build new coalitions that bridge old divides... All nations have rights and responsibilities - that's the bargain that makes this work."
He outlined ways in which he said the US would act to tackle the problems, but said all nations - rich and poor - must join in.
"Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world's problems alone," Mr Obama said.
"We must build new coalitions that bridge old divides... All nations have rights and responsibilities - that's the bargain that makes this work," Mr Obama said.
NICK ROBINSON'S NEWSLOG Colonel Gaddafi's speech was certainly provocative. It was predictably colourful. It was unsurprisingly rambling Nick Robinson, BBC political editor Read Nick's thoughts in fullNICK ROBINSON'S NEWSLOG Colonel Gaddafi's speech was certainly provocative. It was predictably colourful. It was unsurprisingly rambling Nick Robinson, BBC political editor Read Nick's thoughts in full
The president devoted a significant proportion of his speech to the challenges of finding a peaceful settlement in the Middle East - and called for the relaunch of "negotiations without preconditions".The president devoted a significant proportion of his speech to the challenges of finding a peaceful settlement in the Middle East - and called for the relaunch of "negotiations without preconditions".
He said he did not underestimate the scale of that challenge, but added: "I will not waver in my pursuit of peace." The BBC's diplomatic correspondent, Jonathan Marcus, says Mr Obama used his first speech to the General Assembly to signal that the United States was back as a team player on the international stage.
On Tuesday, at the UN's climate change summit, Mr Obama acknowledged that the US had been slow to act, but promised a "new era" of promoting clean energy and reducing carbon pollution. His speech received warm but not effusive applause, a sign perhaps that in the face of real world problems the expectations surrounding the president are gradually being adjusted to reality, our correspondent says.
Some countries may not take kindly to his words urging greater responsibility if it sounds too much like a lecture, particularly those who feel his commitments to tackle global warning were disappointing, says the BBC's Mark Mardell in New York.
'Terror Council''Terror Council'
Following Mr Obama, Libya's President Gaddafi fiercely criticised the current power structure of the United Nations, which he said was outdated and unfair, concentrating power unevenly.Following Mr Obama, Libya's President Gaddafi fiercely criticised the current power structure of the United Nations, which he said was outdated and unfair, concentrating power unevenly.
Clutching a copy of the preamble to the UN Charter, he said: "It says nations are equal whether they are small or big - are we equal in the permanent seats? No, we are not equal. Do we have the rights of the veto?… Clutching a copy of the preamble to the UN Charter, he said: "It says nations are equal whether they are small or big - are we equal in the permanent seats? No, we are not equal. Do we have the rights of the veto?"
"Sixty-five wars broke out after the establishment of the United Nations - are these wars and the aggressions in the interest of all nations? No, they were in the interest of four or five countries."
Later, Mr Gaddafi said democracy should not be a luxury for the rich or more powerful.Later, Mr Gaddafi said democracy should not be a luxury for the rich or more powerful.
"All nations should have an equal footing. For those who have a permanent seat, this is political feudalism. It shouldn't be called the Security Council, it should be called the Terror Council.""All nations should have an equal footing. For those who have a permanent seat, this is political feudalism. It shouldn't be called the Security Council, it should be called the Terror Council."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened Wednesday's proceedings by telling the assembled leaders: "Now is the time to put the 'united' back into the United Nations".
SPEAKER PROTOCOL By tradition dating back to the UN's infancy in the late 1940s, Brazil speaks first after the secretary general opens proceedingsThe US, as host country, speaks secondSubsequent speakers are chosen on a first-come, first-served basisProtocol order is followed: heads of state; heads of government; crown princes; deputy prime ministers; ministers; permanent representativesHowever, the order can change up till the last momentSPEAKER PROTOCOL By tradition dating back to the UN's infancy in the late 1940s, Brazil speaks first after the secretary general opens proceedingsThe US, as host country, speaks secondSubsequent speakers are chosen on a first-come, first-served basisProtocol order is followed: heads of state; heads of government; crown princes; deputy prime ministers; ministers; permanent representativesHowever, the order can change up till the last moment
He outlined problems facing the world - including "catastrophic climate change", the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the global economic crisis - and said the world was looking to the UN for answers. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened Wednesday's proceedings by telling the assembled leaders: "Now is the time to put the 'united' back into the United Nations".
"We must act for all nations and all people. So much is possible if we work together. We are the UN, the best hope for humankind, and now is our time," Mr Ban said.
The order of the speeches is based on protocol, with some flexibility.The order of the speeches is based on protocol, with some flexibility.
A UN spokeswoman described it as a "challenging and meticulous" task to decide the order.A UN spokeswoman described it as a "challenging and meticulous" task to decide the order.
There is an agreed hierarchy - with heads of state coming before heads of government and crown princes.There is an agreed hierarchy - with heads of state coming before heads of government and crown princes.
But exceptions are made - this time UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will speak before China's head of state, President Hu Jintao.But exceptions are made - this time UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will speak before China's head of state, President Hu Jintao.
Did you watch the President's speech? Does the United Nations still have a purpose? Send us your views using the form below. You can also send your views on video.Did you watch the President's speech? Does the United Nations still have a purpose? Send us your views using the form below. You can also send your views on video.
Send your videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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