U.S. President Asks the UN, “Are We Still Patriots?”

By | September 21, 2017

NEW YORK, September 22 (C-Fam) President Trump’s first UN speech to the General Assembly on Tuesday caught world leaders off guard and challenged seemingly unassailable attitudes about international cooperation.

“The true question for the United Nations today, for people all over the world who hope for better lives for themselves and their children, is a basic one:  Are we still patriots?” President Trump asked at one point.

President Trump deliberately hearkened back to the founding principles of the United Nations when even mentioning the word “sovereignty” has become controversial at UN headquarters. He mentioned the word 21 times, possibly a UN record. Specifically, Trump challenged the notion that sovereignty is an obstacle to international cooperation, a notion that is widespread within UN circles.

“To overcome the perils of the present and to achieve the promise of the future, we must begin with the wisdom of the past. Our success depends on a coalition of strong and independent nations that embrace their sovereignty to promote security, prosperity, and peace for themselves and for the world,” Trump said.

“Strong, sovereign nations let their people take ownership of the future and control their own destiny. And strong, sovereign nations allow individuals to flourish in the fullness of the life intended by God,” he explained.

He also suggested limits to international cooperation and international aid and called upon nations to take up their own causes more vigorously.

“Today, if we do not invest ourselves, our hearts, and our minds in our nations, if we will not build strong families, safe communities, and healthy societies for ourselves, no one can do it for us,” he said.

“We cannot wait for someone else, for faraway countries or far-off bureaucrats — we can’t do it. We must solve our problems, to build our prosperity, to secure our futures, or we will be vulnerable to decay, domination, and defeat,” he emphasized.

“Are we still patriots? Do we love our nations enough to protect their sovereignty and to take ownership of their futures? Do we revere them enough to defend their interests, preserve their cultures, and ensure a peaceful world for their citizens?” he asked.

While his direct challenges to Russia, North Korea, China, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and socialism were publicized widely, his challenge to the UN bureaucracy received less attention.

Trump called for UN reform that will confront “threats to sovereignty, security, and prosperity.”

“Too often the focus of this organization has not been on results, but on bureaucracy and process,” he said.

The U.S. President recalled the 230th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution and its recognition of “respect for human nature, human dignity, and the rule of law,” as an inspiration to millions around the globe.

“We will fight together, sacrifice together, and stand together for peace, for freedom, for justice, for family, for humanity, and for the almighty God who made us all. Thank you. God bless you. God bless the nations of the world. And God bless the United States of America,” he concluded, mentioning God 5 times in total, perhaps another UN record.

 

ISSUE: United Nations System, Sovereignty, International law

 

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