UNITED NATIONS — President Barack Obama pledged a new willingness to work with the world's nations in his first U.N. address Wednesday, but he demanded of them in return a renewed sense of responsibility about confronting the globe's crises.
From the moment he started speaking, the American president talked of his determination to repair the"skepticism and distrust" he said had built up under his predecessor.
He said George W. Bush's tenure fed a "reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for our collective inaction."
Obama touted the actions of his young administration as initial steps toward progress - and greater cooperation - on intractable world problems, drawing applause when he declared that he had banned the use of torture. He also urged his counterparts to do likewise, calling for an "era of engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect."
"Make no mistake: This cannot solely be America's endeavor," Obama said. "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."
His audience included several foreign leaders his administration is seeking to face down on the diplomatic front, among them Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has rebuffed other countries' calls to stop enriching uranium and has thumbed his nose at criticism of his human rights record, his hostility toward Israel and his support for terrorism.
Ahmadinejad sat without obvious reaction in the fifth row as Obama publicly chided his country for its pursuit of nuclear weapons, saying Iran's actions - and similar efforts by North Korea - "threaten to take us down this dangerous slope" that makes the whole world less secure.
"If they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East - then they must be held accountable," Obama said. "The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that treaties will be enforced.We must insist that the future does not belong to fear."
Talks later with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev focused almost entirely on Iran, with Obama seeking support for tougher U.N. action if multilateral talks with Tehran next month yield unsatisfying progress. Russia, which has strong economic ties with Iran, has stood in the way of such stronger action in the past.
Emerging from the talks at Obama's hotel, Medvedev gave at least some ground, opening the door to more sanctions though he said they are usually unproductive. "In some cases, sanctions are inevitable," Medvedev said.
Iran denies claims it's planning to make a bomb and says the program is aimed at generating electricity.
Ahmadinejad didn't mention the issue of his nation's nuclear program during his own remarks in the U.N. chamber Wednesday evening.
Instead, he criticized the U.S. and Israel, prompting a walkout of American diplomats.
"How can the crimes of the occupiers against defenseless women and children and destruction of their homes, farms, hospitals and schools be supported unconditionally by certain governments?" Ahmadinejad said, referring to U.S. support for Israel, its occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Ahmadinejad repeated criticisms of the U.S.-led military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and drew attention to what he saw as American complicity in the international financial crisis. The "engine of unbridled capital" has stopped working and "liberalism and capitalism that have alienated human beings from heavenly and moral values will never bring happiness for humanity," he said.
"It is not acceptable that some who are several thousands of kilometers away from the Middle East would send their troops for military intervention and for spreading war, bloodshed, aggression, terror and intimidation in the whole region while blaming the protests of nations in the region that are concerned about their fateand their national security," Ahmadinejad said. "Look at the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Mark Kornblau, spokesman for the U.S. mission to the U.N., issued an e-mail as the Iranian leader spoke.
"It is disappointing that Mr. Ahmadinejad has once again chosen to espouse hateful, offensive and anti-Semitic rhetoric," he said.
Earlier, Obama made clear that his administration intends to push Israelis and Palestinians toward a final negotiation on creating two viable countries in the war torn region.
He also said that Palestinians have "legitimate claims and rights" and that America's "unwavering commitment" to Israel's security must be coupled with an insistence that Israel recognize them. But he also said the world must urge Palestinians to "recognize Israel's legitimacy and its right to exist in peace and security."
On climate change, Obama again declared that a new era had dawned in which America would no longer be an obstacle to action. "The days when America dragged its feet on this issue are over," he said.
But he repeated his demand for responsibility on the part of developing countries, which he said could do more to reduce their air pollution without inhibiting their economic growth.
Obama cited his status as the first black U.S. president in issuing a call to respect human rights and democratic government around the globe - an apparent reference to Ahmadinejad's violent clampdown on public demonstrations after a disputed presidential election in Iran this summer.
"True leadership will not be measured by the ability to muzzle dissent or to intimidate and harass political opponents at home," Obama said. "The people of the world want change. They will not long tolerate those who are on the wrong side of history."
"As an African-American, I will never forget that I would not be here today without the steady pursuit of a more perfect union in my country," he continued. "That guides my belief that no matter how dark the day may seem, transformative change can be forged by those who choose the side of justice."
Also present was Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who recently reignited American anger by extending a hero's welcome to the Lockerbie bomber after his release by Scotland, and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.
Gadhafi, who spoke after Obama, began his speech with a greeting to the U.S. president, whom he referred to as "our son Obama." He said Africans "are proud that the son of Africa" had been elected to the White House and allowed that he would be "happy and content if Obama can stay forever as president of America."
Gadhafi also applauded Obama's commitment to seek the elimination of nuclear weapons and work closely with other nations to solve the world's problems. "This is the beginning for great change," he said.
But Gadhafi railed about the "dictatorial" powers given to the United States and the other four permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, saying they have established a "feudal" order that terrorizes poor countries with economic sanctions and military force.
"It should not be called the Security Council, it should be called the terror council," said Gadhafi, repeatedly referring to what appeared to be a small copy of the U.N. charter that he held in his hands.
At one point, he made a small tear in the charter's cover.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, speaking later, retorted: "I stand here to reaffirm the United Nations charter, not to tear it up."
Gadhafi's speech - which was supposed to last 15 minutes but clocked in at 98 - went on so long that the United Nations had to change interpreters in the middle of his address and a protocol officer twice delivered a piece of paper, apparently urging him to wrap it up. He crumpled up the first note and threw the second over his shoulder, eliciting a laugh from his interpreter.
The speech was not, however, the longest delivered at the U.N. General Assembly. That honor goes to Cuba's Fidel Castro, who once spoke for 269 minutes, according to U.N. staff members.
Gadhafi sharply criticized the United States for enforcing its will on the world with superior military power, specifically recalling the Reagan-era decision to strike Libya with laser-guided missiles. That strike, which killed one of Gadhafi's daughters, was carried out in response to Libya's sponsorship of terrorism.
He called for an investigation into the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq - which he called "the mother of all evils" - and the U.S. missile attacks in Somalia and for war-crimes probes into purported U.S. atrocities committed during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Gadhafi also called for the release of former Panamanian military strongman Manuel Antonio Noriega, who was jailed on drug charges after the U.S. invasion of Panama nearly 20 years ago.
Information for this article was contributed by Michael D. Shear and Colum Lynch of The Washington Post, by Jennifer Loven and Edith M. Lederer of The Associated Press and by Bill Varner and Ali Sheikholeslami of Bloomberg News.
Front Section, Pages 1, 6 on 09/24/2009