这些是我必须为美国人民的利益每天迎战的问题。
奥巴马获诺贝尔奖感言
奥巴马获诺贝尔奖感言
Goodmorning!Well,thisisnothowIexpectedtowakeupthismorning.AfterIreceivedthenews,Maliawalkedinandsaid,"Daddy,youwontheNobelPeacePrize,anditisBo's
birthday."AndthenSashaadded,"Plus,wehaveathree-dayweekendcomingup."Soit's--it'sgoodtohavekidstokeepthingsinperspective.
早上好。我没有料到今早醒来是这样。在我接到消息后，玛莉娅（Malia）走进来说：“爸爸，你获诺贝尔奖了，而今天是波（Bo，小狗的名字—译注）的生日１萨夏（Sasha）接着说：“还有，我们就要过三天长周末了。”所以，有孩子帮助保持清醒是好事。
IambothsurprisedanddeeplyhumbledbythedecisionoftheNobelCommittee.Letmebeclear,Idonotviewitasarecognitionofmyownaccomplishments,butratherasanaffirmationofAmericanleadershiponbehalfofaspirationsheldbypeopleinallnations.诺贝尔奖委员会的决定令我既惊讶又深受感动。我要说明：我不认为这是表彰我个人的成就，而是对为实现所有国家人民的愿望发挥美国带头作用的肯定。
Tobehonest,IdonotfeelthatIdeservetobeinthecompanyofsomanyofthe
transformativefigureswho'vebeenhonoredbythisprize,menandwomenwho'veinspiredmeandinspiredtheentireworldthroughtheircourageouspursuitofpeace.
坦率地说，我认为自己没有资格跻身于获此殊荣的众多变革者之列——是那些男女志士对和平的勇敢追求激励了我和整个世界。
ButIalsoknowthatthisprizereflectsthekindofworldthatthosemenandwomenandallAmericanswanttobuild,aworldthatgiveslifetothepromiseofourfoundingdocuments.AndIknowthatthroughouthistorytheNobelPeacePrizehasnotjustbeenusedtohonor
specificachievement;it'salsobeenusedasameanstogivemomentumtoasetofcauses.AndthatiswhyIwillacceptthisawardasacalltoaction,acallforallnationstoconfrontthecommonchallengesofthe21stcentury.
但我也知道，这个奖反映出这些男女志士及全体美国人民都想建立的那种世界——一个将我国建国纲领的承诺变为现实的世界。我知道，诺贝尔和平奖在历史上从来不是仅用来表彰具体的成就，而是也被作为一种给一系列事业增添动力的手段。因此，我将把接受这个奖视为行动的召唤——一个呼吁所有国家迎接21世纪共同挑战的行动召唤。
Now,thesechallengescan'tbemetbyanyoneleaderoranyonenation.Andthat'swhymyadministration'sworkedtoestablishaneweraofengagementinwhichallnationsmusttakeresponsibilityfortheworldweseek.
这些挑战无法由任何一位领袖或任何一个国家应对。因此，本届政府致力于创建一个交往接触的新时代——一个所有国家必须为我们所向往的世界承担责任的时代。
Wecannottolerateaworldinwhichnuclearweaponsspreadtomorenationsandinwhichtheterrorofanuclearholocaustendangersmorepeople.Andthat'swhywe'vebeguntotakeconcretestepstopursueaworldwithoutnuclearweapons:becauseallnationshavetherighttopursuepeacefulnuclearpower,butallnationshavetheresponsibilitytodemonstratetheirpeacefulintentions.
我们不能容忍一个核武器向更多国家扩散的世界，不能容忍一个核武大屠杀的恐怖危及更多人民的世界。正因为如此，我们已经开始为争取实现没有核武器世界而采取具体步骤，因为，虽然所有国家都有和平利用核能的权利，但所有国家也都有责任表明他们的和平意图。
Wecannotacceptthegrowingthreatposedbyclimatechange,whichcouldforeverdamagetheworldthatwepaontoourchildren,sowingconflictandfamine,destroyingcoastlines
andemptyingcities.Andthat'swhyallnationsmustnowaccepttheirshareofresponsibilityfortransformingthewaythatweuseenergy.
我们不能让气候变化构成的威胁日益增长——埋下冲突与饥荒的祸种，摧毁海岸线，城市萧疏——给我们将传予子孙后代的世界造成永久性破坏。因此，我们所有国家必须承担各自的责任，改变我们使用能源的方式。
Wecan'tallowthedifferencesbetweenpeoplestodefinethewaythatweseeoneanother.Andthat'swhywemustpursueanewbeginningamongpeopleofdifferentfaithsandracesandreligions,onebaseduponmutualinterestandmutualrespect.
我们不能让民族间的差异来界定看待彼此的方式，因此，我们必须在不同信仰、种族和宗教的人民之间谋求一个新开端，一个以互利和互尊为基础的开端。
Andwemustalldoourparttoresolvethoseconflictsthathavecausedsomuchpainandhardshipoversomanyyears.Andthateffortmustincludeanunwaveringcommitmenttofinallyrealizethat--therightsofallIsraelisandPalestinianstoliveinpeaceandsecurityinnationsoftheirown.
我们必须竭尽全力解决多少年来导致无数创痛与苦难的冲突，这一努力必须包括坚定不移地致力于最后实现所有以色列人和巴勒斯坦人在各自国家平安生活的权利。
Wecan'tacceptaworldinwhichmorepeoplearedeniedopportunityanddignitythatallpeopleyearnfor:theabilitytogetaneducationandmakeadecentliving,thesecuritythatyouwon'thavetoliveinfearofdiseaseorviolencewithouthopeforthefuture.
我们不能容许一个使更多人被剥夺机会与尊严的世界——这种人人渴望的机会与尊严体现在，能够受教育，能够过像样的生活；享有安全感，不在疾病或暴力恐怖的威胁下无望过活。
Andevenaswestrivetoseekaworldinwhichconflictsareresolvedpeacefullyand
prosperityiswidelyshared,wehavetoconfronttheworldasweknowittoday.Iamthecommanderinchiefofacountrythat'sresponsibleforendingawarandworkinginanothertheatertoconfrontaruthleadversarythatdirectlythreatenstheAmericanpeopleandourallies.
即便在努力寻求一个和平解决冲突，共享繁荣的世界的同时，我们也必须面对今天我们眼前的世界。我是一国之最高统帅，而这个国家有责任结束一场战争并在另一战场抗击直接威胁美国人民和盟国的无情的敌人。
I'malsoawarethatwearedealingwiththeimpactofaglobaleconomiccrisisthathasleftmillionsofAmericanslookingforwork.
我也清楚，我们正在应对导致数百万美国人待业求职的全球性经济危机的冲击。这些是我必须为美国人民的利益每天迎战的问题。
TheseareconcernsthatIconfronteverydayonbehalfoftheAmericanpeople.Someoftheworkconfrontinguswillnotbecompletedduringmypresidency.Some,liketheeliminationofnuclearweapons,maynotbecompletedinmylifetime.
我们面临的一些工作不可能在我的任期内完成。有些工作，例如全部销毁核武器，可能在我的有生之年也不会完成。
ButIknowthesechallengescanbemet,solongasit'srecognizedthattheywillnotbemetbyonepersonoronenationalone.Thisawardisnotsimplyabouttheeffortsofmy
administration;it'saboutthecourageouseffortsofpeoplearoundtheworld.
但我深信，只要我们认识到这些挑战不可能由一个人或一个国家来独自应对，则最终问题会得到解决。这份奖励针对的并非仅是本届政府的努力，而是全世界人民作出的无畏努力。
Andthat'swhythisawardmustbesharedwitheveryonewhostrivesforjusticeanddignity;fortheyoungwomanwhomarchessilentlyinthestreetsonbehalfofherrighttobeheard,eveninthefaceofbeatingsandbullets;fortheleaderimprisonedinherownhomebecausesherefusestoabandonhercommitmenttodemocracy;forthesoldierwhosacrificedthroughtouraftertourofdutyonbehalfofsomeonehalfaworldaway;andforallthosemenandwomenacrotheworldwhosacrificetheirsafetyandtheirfreedomandsometimetheirlivesforthecauseofpeace.ThathasalwaysbeenthecauseofAmerica.That'swhytheworldhasalwayslookedtoAmerica.Andthat'swhyIbelieveAmericawillcontinuetolead.Thankyouverymuch.
因此，这份奖励必须由为正义和尊严而奋斗的每一个人分享——其中包括为争取自己的发言权，甘冒遭受毒打和枪击的危险默默上街游行的年轻妇女；包括因拒绝放弃追求民主而被软禁家中的领袖；包括为了地球他方的人而牺牲自己，一次次奔赴战场的士兵；包括那些在世界各地为了和平事业贡献出自己的安全、自由甚至生命的所有男女人士。这一直是美国的事业，一直是世界对美国瞩以厚望的原因，也是我认为美国将继续走在最前列的原因。
奥巴马获诺贝尔奖感言
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.
奥巴马诺贝尔奖获奖感言——英文
THEPRESIDENT:YourMajesties,YourRoyalHighnesses,distinguishedmembersoftheNorwegianNobelCommittee,citizensofAmerica,andcitizensoftheworld:Ireceivethishonorwithdeepgratitudeandgreathumility.Itisanawardthatspeakstoourhighestaspirations--thatforallthecrueltyandhardshipofourworld,wearenotmereprisonersoffate.Ouractionsmatter,andcanbendhistoryinthedirectionofjustice.
AndyetIwouldberemiifIdidnotacknowledgetheconsiderablecontroversythatyourgenerousdecisionhasgenerated.(Laughter.)Inpart,thisisbecauseIamatthebeginning,andnottheend, http://www.oh100.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://www.oh100.com hespanof30years,suchcarnagewouldtwiceengulfthiscontinent.AndwhileitshardtoconceiveofacausemorejustthanthedefeatoftheThirdReichandtheAxispowers,WorldWarIIwasaconflictinwhichthetotalnumberofcivilianswhodiedexceededthenumberofsoldierswhoperished.
Inthewakeofsuchdestruction,andwiththeadventofthenuclearage,itbecamecleartovictorandvanquishedalikethattheworldneededinstitutionstopreventanotherworldwar.Andso,aquartercenturyaftertheUnitedStatesSenaterejectedtheLeagueofNations--anideaforwhichWoodrowWilsonreceivedthisprize--Americaledtheworldinconstructinganarchitecturetokeepthepeace:aMarshallPlanandaUnitedNations,mechanismstogovernthewagingofwar,treatiestoprotecthumanrights,preventgenocide,restrictthemostdangerousweapons.
Inmanyways,theseeffortssucceeded.Yes,terriblewarshavebeenfought, http://www.oh100.com mercehasstitchedmuchoftheworldtogether.Billionshavebeenliftedfrompoverty.Theidealsoflibertyand
self-determination,equalityandtheruleoflawhavehaltinglyadvanced.Wearetheheirsofthefortitudeandforesightofgenerationspast,anditisalegacyforwhichmyowncountryisrightfullyproud.
Andyet,adecadeintoanewcentury,thisoldarchitectureisbucklingundertheweightofnewthreats.Theworldmaynolongershudderattheprospectofwarbetweentwonuclearsuperpowers,butproliferationmayincreasetheriskof
catastrophe.Terrorismhaslongbeenatactic,butmoderntechnologyallowsafewsmallmenwithoutsizedragetomurderinnocentsonahorrificscale.
Moreover,warsbetweennationshaveincreasinglygivenwaytowarswithinnations.Theresurgenceofethnicorsectarianconflicts;thegrowthofsecessionistmovements,insurgencies, http://www.oh100.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://www.oh100.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://www.oh100.com ransigencemustbemetwithincreasedpressure--andsuchpressureexistsonlywhentheworldstandstogetherasone.
Oneurgentexampleistheefforttopreventthespreadofnuclearweapons, http://www.oh100.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://www.oh100.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.