8A NEWS
UNITED NATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
Obama addresses complaints of UN
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Barack Obama, right, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrive at a luncheon during the United Nations General Assembly. Wednesday. The president addressed the issues that the United Nations had with previous leader George W. Bush
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UNITED NATIONS President Barack Obama challenged world leaders Wednesday to shoulder more of the globe's critical burdens, promising a newly cooperative partner in America but sternly warning they can no longer castigate the U.S. as a go-it-alone bully while still demanding it cure all ills.
"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," said Obama in comments before a packed U.N. General Assembly hall. "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."
In his first appearance before the group, Obama promised the U.S. would reach out in "a new era of engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect," but he also wagged a rhetorical finger at leaders who spend their time at international gatherings excoriating the U.S. He said "an almost reflexive anti-Americanism" that swept the globe under the administration of his predecessor, George W. Bush, is not "an excuse for collective inaction."
"Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles and absolving ourselves of responsibility for our choices and our actions," he said.
And yet, following Obama at the podium was Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who railed against the U.N. Security Council, which includes the U.S., calling it a "terror council" and accusing it of treating smaller nations as "second class, despised."
U. S. presidents — Bush included
U. S. presidents — Bush included — have come to the United Nations year after year with a wish list of action items and preaching working together. The U.S. is rich and powerful, but cannot solve problems without help, they say, whether Democrat or Republican.
So Obama's message was not new.
But it was delivered in an unmistakably new, more humble tone.
Following a president criticized for making my-way-or-the-highway "requests" of allies, Obama didn't demand so much as he chided and cajoled. It's now an inextricably interconnected world, he
said, so that each country's problems become the others'
"In the year 2009 — more than
"In the year 200 at any point in human history — the interests of nations and peoples are shared." Obama said.
Following a president pilloried for arrogance, Obama talked more modestly about the United States.
To be sure, he listed American contributions. But this was no
"Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles and absolving ourselves."
BARACK OBAMA President
Mideast peace and bringing new energy to the battle against climate change.
Obamas world peers that the U.S. has heard the complaints and, under his leadership, is addressing them. That ranges from banning torture to winding down the Iraq war, working to rid the world of nuclear weapons, aggressively murmuring
INTERNATIONAL
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Iranian President addresses UN
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves to the media before speaking in Tehran, Iran, Monday. He called for global nuclear disarmament during the speech.
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UNITED NATIONS — Under increasing attack over Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday that Tehran was ready to meet conciliation with conciliation.
Ahmadinejad spoke to a half-empty chamber as he sought to cast himself as a champion of the developing world, that he portrayed as under attack from rapacious capitalism.
At the same time, the Iranian leader issued stinging attacks on the United States and its allies without calling them by name, prompting a walkout by the U.S. delegation.
Ahmadinejad did not mention the uproar over Iran's nuclear program, calling instead for
global nuclear disarmament.
Moments before he spoke, foreign ministers of six global powers told reporters on the sidelines of the General Assembly that they expect Iran to come clean about its nuclear program. Tougher sanctions against Iran are being considered if talks between the powers and Iran on the issue, set for Oct. 1, don't yield results.
At times, Ahmadinejad struck a softer tone, declaring that Tehran was "prepared to warmly shake all those hands which are honestly extended to us." He said Iran is committed to participate in building durable peace and security worldwide, while defending its legitimate and legal rights.
The Iranian leader's speech had religious references, invoking the prophets of Judaism and Christianity, as well as Islam.
CRIME
Federal agents fire shots, sparking criticism from immigrant activists
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The agents "were out on foot, they didn't have an area of safety they felt they could go to, and the drivers were going right at them," said San Diego police Lt. Kevin Rooney.
SAN DIEGO — Federal agents felt trapped when they opened fire on the driver of one of two vans packed with suspected illegal immigrants that barreled toward them at the nation's busiest border crossing, an official said Wednesday.
Four people were injured after drivers of three vans stormed past an inspector Tuesday at the San Ysidro border crossing connecting San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. None of the injuries was life-threatening.
The drivers were trying to escape onto nearby Interstate 5. But the van got stuck behind cars in an area that funnels vehicles through a few lanes to the freeway.
Authorities also activated a system of tire shredders and steel planks that shoot up from the ground at the freeway entrance.
Drivers of two of the vans backed up and drove toward another freeway entrance, heading for the agents
who drew their guns and yelled for the drivers to stop, Rooney said.
The agents felt that if they jumped out of the way, they might dodge the first van but not the second, he said. Others in the area may also have been in harm's way, Rooney added.
The shooting sparked criticism from some immigrant activists because the officials — two from Customs and Border Protection and one from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — fired in thick afternoon traffic. The American Friends Service Committee said the use of force was excessive.
Officials at CBP and ICE declined to comment on whether the shooting was justified. A CBP statement said only that one driver "posed a threat and attempted to flee."
Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said in a statement that it was concerned about the incident and was trying to assist the Mexican passengers.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A US Customs and Border Protection officer from Mexico's side of the San Yadiro port of entry guards involved in a shooting in Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday. Four people were injured in a battle fighting an attempt to smuggle illegal immigrants from Mexico and federal agents at the busiest border crossing in the U.S., authorities said.
Rooney said no evidence suggests anyone in the vans was armed.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Police said the driver and a pas senger in one van were shot.
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