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Bush defends US Mid-East policies Bush defends US Mid-East policies
(10 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has defended his controversial Middle East policy at the annual UN General Assembly gathering of world leaders in New York.US President George W Bush has defended his controversial Middle East policy at the annual UN General Assembly gathering of world leaders in New York.
Mr Bush said democracy was gaining ground in the region and terrorists were being marginalised.Mr Bush said democracy was gaining ground in the region and terrorists were being marginalised.
His speech comes after UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that Iraq was on the verge of slipping into "full-scale civil war".His speech comes after UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that Iraq was on the verge of slipping into "full-scale civil war".
The crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur is also a central issue.The crisis in the Sudanese region of Darfur is also a central issue.
In his opening address to the assembly, Mr Annan said Darfur was the biggest challenge faced by the UN.In his opening address to the assembly, Mr Annan said Darfur was the biggest challenge faced by the UN.
Ongoing violence there, he told delegates, "makes a mockery of our claim to shield people from abusers".Ongoing violence there, he told delegates, "makes a mockery of our claim to shield people from abusers".
Iran must abandon his nuclear weapons ambitions George W Bush BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the issue hangs like a dark shadow over this session, raising questions about the UN's effectiveness and relevance. Iran must abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions George W Bush BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the issue hangs like a dark shadow over this session, raising questions about the UN's effectiveness and relevance.
The UN Security Council has backed the despatch of a full UN peacekeeping mission to protect civilians from violence, but the Sudanese government is still refusing to allow it to set foot on the ground.The UN Security Council has backed the despatch of a full UN peacekeeping mission to protect civilians from violence, but the Sudanese government is still refusing to allow it to set foot on the ground.
In his speech, Mr Bush the force had to be deployed. "The UN must act - [the Sudanese people'] lives and the UN's credibility are at stake." In his speech, Mr Bush the force had to be deployed. "The United Nations must act - [the Sudanese people'] lives and the United Nations' credibility are at stake."
Iran divideIran divide
Mr Bush also raised the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme.Mr Bush also raised the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme.
"Iran must abandon his nuclear weapons ambitions," he said, adding that he would work on a "diplomatic solution". "Iran must abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions," he said, adding that he would work on a "diplomatic solution".
Despite US and European efforts, there has been no unanimity in the Security Council on the issue of sanctions against Iran, which has refused to follow UN demands that it suspend the enrichment of uranium.Despite US and European efforts, there has been no unanimity in the Security Council on the issue of sanctions against Iran, which has refused to follow UN demands that it suspend the enrichment of uranium.
Darfur is set to be a contentious issue at the meetingWhile Russia and China have long been dubious about sanctions, France broke ranks with its European allies on Monday when President Jacques Chirac said he did not believe suspension of enrichment should be a precondition for the resumption of negotiations with Iran.Darfur is set to be a contentious issue at the meetingWhile Russia and China have long been dubious about sanctions, France broke ranks with its European allies on Monday when President Jacques Chirac said he did not believe suspension of enrichment should be a precondition for the resumption of negotiations with Iran.
But on Tuesday, in an apparent U-turn, Mr Chirac said "we cannot have negotiations if we do not have suspension [of enrichment] beforehand".But on Tuesday, in an apparent U-turn, Mr Chirac said "we cannot have negotiations if we do not have suspension [of enrichment] beforehand".
He was speaking after talks with Mr Bush. Both Mr Chirac and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will address the assembly.He was speaking after talks with Mr Bush. Both Mr Chirac and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will address the assembly.
Iran says its nuclear programme is entirely civilian, and designed to meet its energy needs.Iran says its nuclear programme is entirely civilian, and designed to meet its energy needs.
Mr Annan's opening speech to the assembly was his last as secretary general.Mr Annan's opening speech to the assembly was his last as secretary general.
His second five-year term in office ends at the end of the year.His second five-year term in office ends at the end of the year.
Mr Annan told delegates that during his tenure many countries had been lifted from poverty, but others were still lagging.Mr Annan told delegates that during his tenure many countries had been lifted from poverty, but others were still lagging.
Globalisation, he added, was "not a tide that lifts all boats".Globalisation, he added, was "not a tide that lifts all boats".