Hillary Clinton at the U.N. Security Council Session On Peace And Security in the Middle East
As acting head-of-state at UNGA today, Hillary Clinton delivered remarks to the Security Council at a session on the Middle East peace and security.
Remarks at the United Nations Security Council Session On Peace And Security in the Middle East
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
United Nations
New York City
September 26, 2012
Thank
you very much, Minister Westerwelle, for calling us together at this
critical moment to discuss peace and security in the Middle East on the
heels of two tumultuous weeks during which violent protests rocked
countries across the region. And although anger was directed against my
country, the protests exposed deep rifts within new democracies and
volatility that extremists were quick to instigate and exploit.
As President Obama made clear yesterday in his address to the General
Assembly, the United States rejects the false choice between democracy
and stability. Democracies make the strongest, most capable partners.
And we know that it takes a lot of hard work and oftentimes struggle.
But the fact of new, emerging democracies here in the 21st
century should be a cause for great satisfaction and hope. But these
emerging democracies need champions, not fair-weather friends. And
during this past week, as I met with leaders from Tunisia, Libya, Egypt,
and Yemen, I expressed to each of them America’s unwavering support for
their country’s continued journey along the democratic path.
But making good on the promise of these transitions will take many
hands working on many fronts. And of course, there are political and
economic dimensions to the work that must be done, but today I’d like to
focus on the security concerns, because that has to be the starting
line on the road to true democracy.
Of course, the Arab revolutions come from within, and the greatest
responsibility for their success or failure lies with the people living
them each day. But the nations gathered in this room also have a
powerful stake in seeing that these democracies succeed, and it is our
shared responsibility to help countries in transition find the right
path forward.
International support is critical. Consider what happened when the
Arab League and the Security Council came together to protect civilians
in Libya. That show of solidarity helped produce a strong Security
Council resolution that saved Benghazi from destruction at the hands of a
tyrant. And thanks to the support of this broad coalition, the people
of Libya now have the chance to write their own future.
We saw earlier this year, Libyans turning out in droves to cast their
ballots – most for the first time in their lives. Then last Friday, we
saw thousands of Libyans pour into the streets to condemn the attack on
the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi that killed Ambassador Chris
Stevens and three other Americans. They made it clear that those who
would promote violence and division do not speak for the new Libya, and
that armed bands who would sever Libya’s ties with the world are not
welcome. And the new Government of Libya is working closely with us to
find the murderers and bring them to justice.
Now each country in transition has its own security challenges, and
therefore each need our support in different ways. In Tunisia, where the
Arab Awakening began, extremists seek to hijack its progress. But
Tunisians are working steadily to dismantle a long legacy of
dictatorship and lay the foundation for sustainable democracy.
The riots underscored the challenges of building security forces
focused on protecting people, not regimes. These nations are not the
first to struggle with the challenge of policing a new democracy. And
the international community has stumbled in the past, failing to offer
needed support or offering the wrong kind of support.
So we should heed the lessons we have learned from our success and
our failure, including this most basic understanding: Training, funding,
and equipment will only go so far. It takes the political will to make
hard choices and tough changes that will build strong institutions and
lasting security. So I’m pleased Tunisia has agreed to host a new
international training center that will help security and criminal
justice officials pursue policies grounded in the rule of law and human
rights.
Now Egyptians chose their leadership for the first time in history,
and we are committed to helping that transition succeed. The Egyptian
people, proud of the freedoms they have claimed, must decide what kind
of a country they want to build. And the choices of the largest Arab
nation will echo far beyond its borders. And like all nations, Egypt
knows it too has responsibilities not only to its own citizens but to
its neighbors and the international community, responsibilities to honor
international commitments, to share power broadly, to keep faith with
all the Egyptian people, men and women, Muslim and Christian. And we
want to help Egypt and all new democracies live up to these vital
responsibilities.
In Yemen, we are working through the GCC-led transition process, but
providing basic security for the Yemeni people is a great challenge that
is heightened by Yemen’s unique needs. Yemen has a fast-growing
population of young people and not enough jobs – a familiar story not
only through the region but the world. But in addition, Yemen is facing
the depletion of their oil and water supplies. And al-Qaida in the Arab
Peninsula remains a serious threat. The urgency of these threats must be
matched by the urgency of our response. In the Friends of Yemen meeting
later this week, countries are coming together to address Yemen’s
challenges, both in the immediate and the long term.
Unfortunately, in Syria, Bashar al-Assad clings to power, and his
campaign of brutality has sparked a humanitarian crisis. The United
States has committed more than $100 million to help the Syrian people.
And we continue to insist that the violence must end and a political
transition without Assad must move forward.
The Arab League suspended Syria from its activities and has strongly
condemned the Assad regime’s brutal violence against its own people. And
the Arab League created a plan for peaceful political transition that
was endorsed by an overwhelming majority in the General Assembly
resolution that launched Arab League-UN mediation efforts, led first by
Kofi Annan and now by Lakhdar Brahimi.
Yet the atrocities mount while the Security Council remains
paralyzed. And I would urge that we try, once again, to find a path
forward that can bring the Security Council together on the urgent
business of both ending the violence in Syria and preventing the
consequences that all of us around this table fear.
And although this forum was not primarily intended to discuss the
peace process, I certainly would like to reiterate the President’s
message from yesterday. The future of Israel and Palestine must belong
to those who embrace the hard work of peace – not those who thrive on
conflict or reject the right of Israel to exist. And the United States
stands ready and prepared to work toward a just agreement to finally
accomplish our clear goal – a secure, Jewish state of Israel, an
independent, secure, prosperous Palestine, fulfilling the aspirations of
the Palestinian people.
No discussion of the Middle East would be complete without a mention
of Iran and the profound threat its activities pose to the region and
beyond. Despite numerous demands by this Council, Iran still has not
taken the necessary steps to cooperate fully with the IAEA and to
resolve doubts about its nuclear program. In addition, Iran continues to
sponsor terrorist groups and smuggle weapons for the Assad regime’s use
against the Syrian people. Meanwhile, the Iranian people themselves
suffer gross violation of their rights at the hand of their own
government.
Serious challenges like these call for leadership and partnership.
Yesterday, I was privileged to sign an agreement with the Arab League
through its Secretary General and I was delighted that Secretary General
Elaraby and I could build on the unprecedented cooperation of the last
two years. We support Germany’s call to make Security Council-Arab
League cooperation more systematic and sustainable. The United States is
also one of 28 countries and international organizations working
through the Deauville Partnership to support democratic transitions in
the Middle East and North Africa.
When violence came to our doorstep at embassies around the globe,
this body joined the Arab League, the OIC, the AU, and the EU to give
voice to the world’s condemnation of the attacks and call for restraint.
You stood with us, and now we must stand together in support of the
common aspirations of the people, of all people, for security and safety
for our families, the freedom to live lives according to our own
conscience, the dignity that comes only through self-determination. And
as President Obama said yesterday, the United States will never shrink
from defending these values. And we will not walk away from these new
democracies.
We are not alone in this commitment. This is the work of all
responsible nations. And we look forward to working closely with anyone
who speaks out on behalf of our shared values. Thank you.
