Ms.
Speaker, Vice President Rodriguez, members of Congress,
distinguished guests, fellow citizens, as I address
you tonight the state of our economy is a serious
tragedy, our colossal deficit is a dreadful legacy
for our children, the Patriot Act ridicules some
of the most primitive rights we cherish so dearly,
we have invaded countries with no justification
and are paying heavily for this enormous and historical
mistake and in short we have turned a country that
may have once presented a vision for a different
approach to the idea of a nation, into the global
public enemy number one.
In
international front, the United Nations we had once
labeled as "irrelevant" may be our saving
grace and the only way out of our increasing international
isolation. In the past, we have insulted and alienated
many of our European allies, some of whom we owed
our sovereignty to.
At
the same time, others we had considered an ally
at one point, have proven to be the main enemies
of our nation's independence and liberty. These
countries have demonstrated over the years that
their aspirations are contrary to the ideas of freedom
and global justice.
Saudi
Arabia for example, is a brutal and stringent dictatorship.
This is where political parties are banned, religious
minorities are persecuted and women are denied their
most basic rights and are not allowed to travel
without permission, hold certain positions or even
drive an automobile. The country ranks as one of
the worst violators of basic human rights globally.
For
years Saudi Arabia has acted as the primary sponsor
in fostering and exporting a malicious version of
extremism, under the guise of religion. This behavior
is not only limited to the power elite in that Kingdom,
but the state itself is the primary financier of
thousands of institutions worldwide that function
as cradles of terror and terrorism, disguised as
charities, religious schools and places of worship.
The
current government of Pakistan seized power in a
military coup in October of 1999. General Pervez
Musharraf's troops overthrew Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif's elected government in seeking a greater
role in policy for the military. Since the coup,
international human rights organizations such as
Human Rights Watch have reported on rampant and
widespread abuses in the name of political "reform".
Pakistan
is currently home to a growing assembly of various
extremist groups, with direct and evident ties to
international terrorism, such as Al-Qaeda. The country
is also in possession of a growing stockpile of
weapons of mass destruction, in form of nuclear
bombs and warheads. There are genuine concerns in
some circles as to the accessibility to these WMD's
by the defiant fringe elements at some point in
the near or distant future.
Over
the past few decades, no single country has violated
and ignored more UN resolutions than the state of
Israel. This is despite having hundreds of other
resolutions blocked or vetoed by its friends. Israel
still occupies Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese
territories in contravention of principles of international
humanitarian law. It has also continued to put pressure
on the elected leader of Palestinian people, in
violation of elementary democratic principals.
Presence
of radical fundamentalists close to circles of power
in Israel is a serious security risk to its neighbors
and the world. This is particularly alarming considering
the country's hold on the largest stockpile of nuclear
weapons in the region, with reports of a large program
to develop and possess other WMD's. Amnesty International
has repeatedly condemned "the unlawful killings,
the wanton destruction of civilian property, the
deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid"
along with other violations of human rights in Israel
and the territories it occupies.
Regimes
like these, and their global supporters, constitute
an axis of evil, arming to threaten the global peace.
By ignoring some of the most basic desires of their
people for freedom and democracy, stockpiling weapons
that is menacing to peace, supporting various forms
of terrorism in both direct and secondary means
and incorporation of religious beliefs and practices
with state matters, these governments are extending
their role in promoting a dogmatic and authoritarian
form of politics, contrary to democratic principals.
We
will make an effort to build bridges with other
nations and peoples, many of them victims of our
past brutality and aggression, to build a coalition
of global citizens, dedicated to values we all cherish.
With
our new coalition, we will reduce our unnecessary
military overindulge and use some of those resources
to support individuals, groups and nations committed
to democracy, independence, social and economical
justice and peace. We intend to help the people
of these countries on their path to freedom and
democracy.
My
message to the people of countries like Saudi Arabia,
Pakistan and Israel today is simple; you can count
on us as a friend and supporter. Although we will
not interfere with your country’s internal
matters, we extend our hand in assistance, if and
when you feel you may need it.
I
look forward to the day the world will not need
to worry about these three frightening regimes,
and we can all start the process of building a better
world for us and for our children.
Thank
you, thank you all and may you all be blesses with
health, happiness and liberty.
