For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 10, 2001
Exchange of Toasts at U.N. Secretary General's Luncheon
Remarks by the President in An Exchange of Toasts at U.N. Secretary General's Luncheon
U.N. Headquarters
New York, New York
1:44 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Secretary General, distinguished
members of the
United Nations community, excellencies, and ladies and
gentlemen. It's a
great honor to attend my first U.N. General Debate as President of
the
United States. It's a special pleasure for all of us
this year to be in
New York, a city whose strength, determination and civility have
been a
powerful testament to the human spirit.
My country is very honored that for over half a century, New York
has
served as host to the United Nations. The United States
and the United Nations have more in common than just a city; we also
share a set of common
values. Today those values are under attack, and the
United Nations and
the United States stand together to defend them.
In this great cause, it is a special honor for me to have found a
great partner in Kofi Annan.
Mr. Secretary General, I appreciate the many times we have spoken,
particularly over the last two months. These have been
difficult and
challenging days for my nation, and I've benefitted from your
wisdom and
your vision and your resolve and your optimism.
Mr. Secretary General, let me take this opportunity to congratulate
you and the United Nations once again on your receipt of this year's
Nobel Peace Prize.
Mr. Secretary General, you've been the leader of the United Nations
at a time it needed leadership; at a time when your strong advocacy for
peace and international public health and collective security was
needed so badly. You've been a strong voice for human
solidarity and vigilance against violence. And Americans
deeply admire your strong defense of the universality of human
rights. We've been called to fight many times in the defense
of human rights, and today we're called again, because today our very
civilization is threatened. Mr. Secretary General, we
appreciate your support in this great struggle.
I offer you this toast: Mr. Secretary General, to the
continued success of your stewardship of the United Nations, to the
institution you serve so ably, and to our common search for peace and
justice in the world. God bless.
(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)
END 1:47 P.M. EST
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