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CNN Sunday Morning

U.N. Members Unite Against Terrorism, Differ on Agendas

Aired November 11, 2001 - 07:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Some 50 blocks from the smoldering rubble that was once the World Trade Center, President Bush tells the United Nations that every member nation has a binding obligation to fight terrorism.

Our Brian Palmer has more from the annual gathering at the U.N.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly opened under the shadow of terrorism. Delayed for more than a month by the September 11 attacks, convening on the heels of threats against the world body made by Osama bin Laden behind a wall of new security measures.

HUGO CHAVEZ, PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA (through translator): In this meeting in New York, in this incredible city, in this North American nation, this is the opportunity for us to repeat our sympathy, our grief, shared with the people and government of the United States.

PALMER: President George Bush sought to set the agenda.

GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Conspiracies of terror are being answered by an expanding global coalition. Not every nation will be a part of every action against the enemy. But every nation in our coalition has duties.

PALMER: Presidents, prime ministers, and emirs reaffirmed their commitment to the new war on terrorism, but emphasized that their definitions of terrorism, which (sic) did not always match President Bush's definition.

ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE, PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA (through translator): The struggle for equitable development and the war against poverty are as important as our campaign against terrorism.

PALMER: From the leader of a long-time U.S. foe that has been accused of sponsoring terrorism, powerful expressions of sympathy, but also some criticism.

MOHAMMED KHATAMI, PRESIDENT OF IRAN (through translator): The world has yet to overcome the horror and disbelief caused by the malicious terrorist attacks of September 11 against thousands of innocent people. At the same time, the most destructive modern weapons are being used in one of the most deprived parts of the world.

PALMER: Other leaders made clear that trying to understand the roots of terrorism is not the same as justifying it.

THABO MBEXI, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA: The fundamental source of conflict in the world today is the socioeconomic deprivation of billions of people across the globe. This necessarily breeds a deep sense of injustice, of social alienation, of despair, and a willingness to sacrifice their life.

PALMER: The president of Pakistan again promised his government is a responsible nuclear power, but also promised Pakistan would protect its interests, too, better than it did last time, when Pakistan helped the U.S. in the battle against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN: What we got in return was 3 million refugees, a shackled economy, drugs, and Kalashnikov culture, to defeat single-handedly through our own limited resources.

PALMER: But there are no guarantees in wartime, as the U.N. General Assembly demonstrates once again that there are many competing agendas, even when all sides seem to agree.

Brian Palmer, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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