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U.S. President George W. Bush dines with U.S. military personnel on a naval base in Bahrain. (Reuters) Last update - 18:20 13/01/2008 Bush warns that world must rally to confront danger of Iran By The Associated Press Tags: George W. Bush, Iran U.S. President George W. Bush said Sunday that Iran is threatening the security of the world, and that the U.S. and Arab allies must join together to confront the danger before it's too late. The president made the comments in a speech he delivered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, mid-way through his eight-day Mideast tour. Bush said Iran funds terrorist extremists, undermines peace in Lebanon, sends arms to the Taliban, seeks to intimidate its neighbors with alarming rhetoric, defies the United Nations and destabilizes the entire region by refusing to be open about its nuclear program. Advertisement "Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terror," Bush said. The president's Mideast trip began last week with a renewed push for an Israeli-Palestinian peace pact - an accord he said whose time has come. In a direct appeal to the Palestinians, Bush said: "The dignity and sovereignty that is your right is within your reach." "In President Abbas, you have a leader who understands that the path forward is through peaceful negotiations. Help him as he makes the tough decisions for peace," the president added. To the people of Israel, Bush said: "You know that peace and reconciliation with your neighbors is the best path to long-term security. We believe that peace is possible, though it requires tough decisions." Chiding U.S. allies who have withheld civil liberties, Bush said governments will never build trust by harassing or imprisoning candidates and protesters. But his rebuke was general, and he did not single out any U.S. partner in the region for oppressive practices. "You cannot expect people to believe in the promise of a better future when they are jailed for peacefully petitioning their government," Bush said. "And you cannot stand up a modern, confident nation when you do not allow people to voice their legitimate criticisms." Bush gave the speech on democracy in one of the few countries in the region - the Emirates - where democracy has not been a vital issue, but virtually ignored. In other countries in the region, especially Egypt, the fight between democracy activists and autocratic governments has been much more pointed and controversial. He called on the Palestinians to reject extremists, although he did not mention the Islamic radical group Hamas, which took control of the Gaza Strip in 2006 coup. And the president said the Iranian government in Tehran should make itself accountable to its people. "Iran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere," Bush said. "So the United States is strengthening our long-standing security commitments with our friends in the Gulf, and rallying friends around the world to confront this danger before it is too late." Bush spoke at the Emirates Palace, at an opulent, gold-trimmed hotel where a suite goes for $2,450 a night. Built at a cost of $3 billion, the hotel is a kilometer long from end to end and has a 1.3 kilometer white sand beach - every grain of it imported from Algeria, according to Steven Pike, a spokesman at the U.S. Embassy here. Half the audience was dressed in western attire and the other half in Arabic clothes - white robes and headdresses for men an black abayas, many with jeweled edges, for women. Bush said advancing democracy and freedom is the core of his administration's foreign policy and critical to U.S. security. "The United States has no desire for territory. We seek our shared security in your liberty. We believe that stability can only come through a free and just Middle East where the extremists are marginalized," the president said. He noted democratic reform in Iraq. "You have made your choice for democracy and have stood firm," Bush said, speaking to the Iraqi people. "The terrorists and extremists cannot prevail." In renewing his Freedom Agenda - Bush's grand ambition to seed democracy around the globe - he declared that democracy is the only form of government that treats individuals with the dignity and equality that is their right. "We know from experience that democracy is the only system of government that yields lasting peace and stability," he added. Yet he was speaking about democracy in a deeply undemocratic country, the Emirates, where an elite of royal rulers makes virtually all the decisions. Large numbers of foreign resident workers have few legal or human rights, including no right to citizenship and no right to protest working conditions. Some human rights groups have accused the Emirates of tolerating virtual indentured servitude, where workers from poor countries like Sri Lanka are forced to work to pay off debts to employers, and have their passports seized so they can't leave. Officials in Abu Dhabi and the neighboring emirate of Dubai have said they are taking slow and gradual steps toward reform, both democratic and in labor rights. In the country's first-ever elections in late 2006, the government hand-picked a group of voters to cast ballots to choose members of a government advisory panel. But there is little clamor for elections in a wealthy country whose citizens are a privileged minority with access to free housing and lucrative government jobs. Many citizens say the galloping economy is evidence the government has done a good job. Related articles: Bush implores government ministers to keep Olmert in power ANALYSIS: Palestinians believe Bush won't pressure Israel News / Bush in Israel: West Bank outposts 'have got to go' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Diskin's faulty math Haaretz finds the Shin Bet estimate of Palestinian civilian casualties is too low. Wooing minorities The color of Barack Obama's skin has returned as an issue to the campaign.   1.   "Arab Democracy Vs. Guantanamo."! 12:52  |  Stephen. 13/01/08   2.   1Stephen,this criminal in the white house must be impeached by 13:57  |  lakshmi 13/01/08   3.   Why Bush supports Morocco occupation of Western Sahara? 14:16  |  luc 13/01/08   4.   Pancakes and bacon 14:30  |  Clickfool 13/01/08   5.   He is a liar 14:43  |  Saudi 13/01/08   6.   Hey George - I like vanilla too 14:54  |  Clickfool 13/01/08   7.   Fight terrorism and jihadism, don`t promote "freedom". 16:23  |  Fortuna Benmayor 13/01/08   8.   Bush-Speak 16:51  |  Arie 13/01/08   9.   Nothing surer 16:58  |  Chris Linthwaite 13/01/08   10.   Bush: we can`t afford Iran war. Anyone spare a dollar? 17:41  |  Michael 13/01/08   11.   no. 1 & 2, Guantanamo residents are treated too well 17:46  |  Sam 13/01/08   12.   Leave It To Saudis To Import Sand! 17:56  |  Robert Blum 13/01/08   13.   Response to Sam from Tennessee 18:03  |  Mark B. 13/01/08   14.   11 Sam,what`s your point?That it`s okay to keep men in cages for 18:06  |  lakshmi 13/01/08   15.   no more wars for israel 18:40  |  US citizen 13/01/08   16.   There he goes again... 18:45  |  Edith 13/01/08   17.   There is no democracy in the US... 18:48  |  Edith 13/01/08   18.   #11 Sam 18:50  |  Edith 13/01/08   19.   Iran-Danger to the world 18:50  |  Brod 13/01/08   20.   Robert Blum in Ohio 18:56  |  Sandy 13/01/08   21.   # 19, US Citizen 18:57  |  Another tax payer 13/01/08   22.   Brod, #19 18:59  |  Chip 13/01/08   23.   #11 Say Sam 19:13  |  ballistic 13/01/08   24.   #19 Brod 19:17  |  ballistic 13/01/08   25.   iran threat to world? why settle for that? 19:53  |  bozhidar balkas 13/01/08   26.   Hypocritical.... 20:00  |  Farseeker 13/01/08   27.   #20 Continued... 20:09  |  Your Captain 13/01/08   28.   Yes Mr. liar 20:19  |  Dav 13/01/08   29.   In many ways the US is a sponsor of terrorism 20:36  |  New Yorker 13/01/08   30.   Yes, please Israel TAKE HIM! 20:38  |  New Yorker 13/01/08   31.   Mullah`s are muck weaker than everyone thinks! 03:14  |  Yari 14/01/08   32.   What a load of Hooey 03:52  |  betz55 14/01/08   33.   Palestinians need not pay any attention to Bush... 04:25  |  Silvienne 14/01/08   34.   #14, lakshmi to Sam... 04:27  |  Silvienne 14/01/08   35.   Bush and Olmert Two Liars 05:14  |  Moshe 14/01/08   36.   Bush Warns of Iranian Threat ? 06:27  |  Gary 14/01/08   37.   Palestinians came from Egypt(Gensis 10-13&14) 09:59  |  sam 14/01/08   38.   moon eminant danger of crashing into earth 18:45  |  alfred youngberg 14/01/08   39.   Bush & Iran 20:00  |  P. J. Casey 14/01/08   40.   Only Complete Idiots Will Allow Iran Nukes 23:33  |  Gary 14/01/08   41.   #38,Moon is actually moving away from earth 00:03  |  Gary 15/01/08   42.   Saudi 03:36  |  Connie 15/01/08   43.   Saudi Arabia 17:04  |  Gary 15/01/08   44.   re: Gary 00:03  |  Efox 16/01/08   45.   To Lakshmi (#14) 02:51  |  Morris Valentine 16/01/08   46.   Re: moon moving away from earth 02:53  |  Morris Valentine 16/01/08   47.   #10,Can We Afford Iranian Nukes Hitting USA? 05:13  |  Gary 16/01/08   48.   "Chiding US Allies" 08:36  |  Gordon 16/01/08

Today Online Gaza militants fire at least 25 Qassams at southern Israel Responses: 18 IDF troops kill Islamic Jihad's top West Bank commander Responses: 12 Rosner: PM tells U.S. Jews he wants to hear their voice on J'lem Responses: 4 Amira Hass: Israelis don't get the extent of their domination over the Palestinians Send response Alexander Yakobson: Horrors of Amona leaves gov't too scared to evacuate outposts Responses: 2 Rosner's Domain Jewish leaders: "falsehood and innuendo used in mischaracterization of Obama" (WTR) Olmert to American Jews: I want your voice on Jerusalem The case for bombing Iran (WTR) The Israel Factor: Let McCain deal with Iran Poll: Does Bush still placing the promotion of democracy at the top of his agenda? More Headlines 09:36 Gaza militants fire at least 25 Qassams at southern Israel 10:05 IDF soldiers kill Islamic Jihad's top commander in West Bank 08:13 Defense officials fear IDF raids in Gaza could threaten Shalit deal 09:58 Bush: Olmert's coalition strong, can withstand peace process 09:53 German archives' opening helps Israeli man track his father's death in Holocaust 09:44 Thai satellite company stops airing Hezbollah TV broadcasts 05:32 ANALYSIS / Despite raid, Hamas, Israel don't seek escalation 08:12 Yisrael Beitenu head Lieberman likely to leave coalition Wednesday 05:58 Haaretz's Gideon Levy wins prize for cultural dialogue 06:02 Jerusalem approves controversial Mughrabi bridge project Previous Editions Select Day 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan

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