never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our h @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ r@ @ @ n [applause] so, america will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the the rule of law. we will do so in partnership

with muslim communities which are also threatened. the sooner it that the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in muslim communities the sooner we will all be safe. isolated and unwelcome in muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer. the second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between israelis, palestinians, and the arab world. america's strong bonds with israel are well known. this bond is unbreakable. it is based upon cultural and historical ties and the recognition that the aspiration for a jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied. around the world, the jewish

people were persecuted for centuries and anti-semitism in europe culminated in an unprecedented holocaust. tomorrow i will visit one place which is part of a network of camps where jews were enslaved, tortured, shot, and gassed to death by the third rise. 6 million jews were killed. more than the entire jewish population of israel today. denying that fact is baseless, ignored, and hateful. threatening israel with destruction or repeating by lead stereotypes about the jews is deeply wrong and only serves to invoke in the minds of israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve. on the other hand, it is also

undeniable that the palestinian people, most loans and christians, have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. -- muslims and christians have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. many have experienced being displaced. they are trying to have a life of peace and security that they have not been able to lead. they endure the daily humiliations large and small that come with occupation. let there be no doubt, the tuation for the palestinian people is intolerable. america will not turn our backs on the legitimate palestinian aspirations for demint, opportunity, and a state -- dignity and opportunity. [applause]

for decades there has been a stalemate. two peebles with legitimate aspirations -- two peoples with legitimate aspirations that makes compromise elusive. it is easy to point fingers. for palestinians to point to the displacement brought by israel's founding and for its release two point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders and beyond. if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth. the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states where israelis and palestinians each live in peace and security. [applause]

that is in the interest of israel, palestine, america, and the world. that is why i intend to personally pursue this outcome which all of the patients and a dedication that the task requires. the obligations that the parties have agreed to under the road map are clear. for peace to come it is time for them and all of us to live up to our responsibilities. palestinians must abandon violence. resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. for centuries, black people in america suffered the lash of

the rip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. it was not the violence that won equal rights. it was a peaceful and determine insistence upon the ideals at the center of america's founding. this same story can be told by people from south africa to south asia. from eastern europe to indonesia. it is a story with a simple truth. and violence is a dead end. it is a sign leader of courage nor power. to shoot rockets at sleeping children or blow up old women on a bus. that is not how moral authority is claimed, that is how it is surrendered. that is the time for palestinians to focus on what they can build. the palestinian authority must develop its capacity to govern with institutions that can serve the needs of their people.

how amas does have support among some palestinians. they have to recognize their responsibilities to play a role in of killing palestinian aspirations, to unify the palestinian people -- their responsibilities to play a role of fulfilling palestinian aspirations, to unify the palestinian people. israel must recognize that there justice cannot be denied nor can palestine's. the united states does not except accept the legitimacy of israeli settlements. [applause] this construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve

peace. it is time for these settlements to stop. [applause] israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that palestinians can live and work and develop their society. just as it devastates palestinian families that the humane -- humanitarian crisis in gaza not serve as real security. progress in the daily lives of the palestinian people must be a critical part of the road to peace and israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress. finally the arab states must recognize that their peace initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. the arab-israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract

the people of arab nations from their problems, but it must be a cause for action to help the palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize israel's legitimacy, and it to choose progress over a self- defeating focus on the past. america will align our policies with those who pursue peace. we will say in public what we say in private to israelis and palestinians and arabs. [applause] we cannot impose peace, but privately many muslims recognize that israel will not go away. many israelis recognize the need for a palestinian state. it is time for us to act on what

everyone knows to be true. too many tears have been shed and too much blood has been shed. all of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of israelis and palestinians can see their children grow up without fear, when the holy land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that god intended it to be, when jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for jews and christians and moslems and a place for all of the children of abraham chemical peacefully together as in the story of islam -- children of abraham c mainingle peacefully together as in the story of islam. the third source of tension is

our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons. this issue has been a source of tension between the united states and the islamic republic of iran. for many years, iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country. there is it a motorists history between us -- a tumultuous history between us. since the islamic revolution, iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against u.s. troops and civilians. this history is well-known. rather than remain trapped in the past, i have made it clear to the leaders of iran that my country is prepared to move forward.

the question now is not what iran is against but what future it wants to build. i recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with her rich, rectitude, and resolved. there will be many issues to discuss between our two countries. we want to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. it is clear to all who are concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. this is not simply about america's interests. it is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the middle east that could lead this region and the world down a dangerous path. i understand those who protest that some countries that others do not. no single nation should pick and

choose who has nuclear weapons. that is why i reaffirmed america's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. [applause] any nation including iran should have the right to access peaceful nuclear powell -- power if it complies with the possibilities under the treaty. possibilities under the treaty. that commitment is at the the fourth issue that i will address is democracy. [applause] i know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years and much of this controversy is connected to the war in iraq. but maybe clear.

no system of government can or should be imposed by one nation on any other. that does not lessen my commitment, however, to government that reflects the will of the people. each nation gives life to this principle in its own way. grounded in the traditions of its own people. america does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not to presumpresumk the outcome of a peaceful election. but i believe that all people yearn for the same things -- the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed, confidence in the rule of law, and the equal administration of justice. government that is transparent and does not steal from the people.

the freedom to live as you choose. these are not just american ideas. they are human rights. that is why we will support them everywhere. [applause] now there is no straight line to realize the promise, but this much is clear. governments that protect these rights are more stable, successful, and a secure. suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. america respects the rights of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. and we will welcome all elected, peaceful government provided

that they govern with respect for all of their people. with them. we welcome all elected peaceful government provided they govern with respect to all of their people. this last point is important, because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power. once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. [applause] so no matter where it takes hold, the government of the people and by the people set a single standard fall will hold power. you must maintain your power through consent not coercion. you must respect the rights of minorities and participate with a spirit of tolerance and a compromise. you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate

workings of the political process above your party. without these ingredients, elections alone do not make a true democracy. thank you. [applause] the fifth issue that we must address together is a religious freedom. islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. we see it in the history cordoba during the inquisition. i saw it firsthand as a child in indonesia were devout christians worship freely in an overwhelmingly moslem country. that is the spirit we need today. people in every country should be free to choose and live their face based upon the persuasion

of the mind and the heart and soul. this tolerance is essential for religion to thrive. it is being challenged in many different ways. among some moslems is a disturbing tendency to measure one's own fate by the rejection of somebody else's faith. the richness of religion diversity must be upheld whether it is for those in lebanon or those in egypt. [applause] " if we are being honest, all- must be close among moslems as well as divisions have lead to tragic problems particularly in iraq. freedom of religion is central

to the ability of people to live together. we must always examine the ways in which we protect. in the united states, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for moslems to fulfill their religious obligation. that is why i am committed to working with american moslems to ensure they can fulfill their religious belief. likewise, it is important for western countries to avoid competing moslem citizens from practicing religion as they see fit. by dictating what close a muslim woman should wear, for instance. we cannot disguise hostility toward any religion behind the pretense of liberalism. should bring us together. -- faith should bring us together. we welcome efforts like saudi

arabian king of the an interfaith dialogue and turkeys leadership in the alliance of civilization. we can turn dialogue into interfaith service. whether it is combating malaria in africa or providing relief after a national disaster. the sixth issue that i want to address is women's rights. [applause] i know, and you can tell from this audience that there is a healthy debate about this issue. i reject the view of some of the west that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal. i do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. [applause]

it is no question as the countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous. let me be clear. the issues of women's equality are by no means an issue for islam. in turkey, bangladesh, indonesia, we have seen them elected woman to lead. the struggle for women'd quality continues for many aspects of american life and in countries around the world. i am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons. [applause] our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all

humanity, men and women, to reach their full potential. i do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal. i respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. it should be their choice. that is what the united states will partner with any muslim majority country toemployment ta financing that helps people live their dreams. [applause] i want to discuss economic development and opportunity. i know that for many the face of globalization is contradictory. the internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also a sense of sexuality

and mindless violence into the home. trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and a change in communities. in all nations, including america, this change can bring fear. fear that because of modernity, we lose control over our economic choices. our politics, and most importantly our identities -- those things we must cherish about our communities, families, our traditions, and our faith. i also know that human progress cannot be denied. there need not be contradictions between development and tradition. countries like japan and south korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining a distinct culture.

the same is true for the progress within muslim majority countries. in ancient times and in our times moslem communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education. this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground. nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. many gulf states have enjoyed great wealth at the consequence of oil. some are focusing on a broader development. all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century. and in too many muslim communities, there is under investment in these areas. i am emphasizing such investment within my own country.

america in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement. on education, we will expand exchange programs and increase scholarships like the one that brought my father to america. [applause] at the same time, we will encourage more americans to study in moslem communities. we will match promising moslem students with internships in america, invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world, and create a new on-line network so a young person in kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in cairo. on economic development, we will create a new core of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in muslim majority

countries. i will hosting a summit on all entrepreneurship this year on how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations, and others in the united states and in most communities around the world. on science and technology, we will launch a new front to support technological development in bulls -- majority countries and help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. we will open centers of scientific excellence in africa, the middle east, and southeast asia, a. new signs of forced to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, the midsize records, clean water, grow new crops. today i am announcing a new global effort with the organization of the islamic conference to eradicate polio,. we will also expand partnerships with muslim communities to promote child and maternal

health. all these things must be done in partnership. americans are ready to join which the citizens and governments, community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in a muslim communities around the world to help people pursue a better life. the issues that i have described will not be easy to address. but we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we see. a world where extremist no longer threaten our people. american troops have come home. a world where israelis and palestinians are each secure in a state of their own. nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes. a world where governments serve their citizens and the rights of all god's children are

respected. those are mutual interests. that is the world we seek. we can only achieve it together. . there is so much fear and mistrust that has built up over the years. the years. but if we choose and i want to particularly say this to young people of every faith in every country.

you more than anyone have the ability to read imagine the world, to remake this world. -- 2 re-imagine this world. all of us share this world but for a brief moment in time. the question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart or whether we commit ourselves to a sustained effort to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings. it is easier to start wars than to end them. it is easier to blame others than to look inward. if it is easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things that we share.