Thank you very much. Secretary and Secretary Hoon, Admiral Cobbold Dr. Shipman, distinguished guests, I to thank you for your kind welcome that you've given me and to Laura. I thank the groups hosting this , the Royal United Services Institute the International Institute for Strategic .
We're honoured to be in United Kingdom. And we bring good wishes of the American .
It was pointed out to that the last noted American visit London stayed in a box dangling over the Thames.
few might have been happy provide similar arrangements for me.
thank Her Majesty, the queen, interceding. We're honoured to be at her house.
Americans travelling England always observe more similarities our country than differences. I've here only a short time, I've noticed the tradition of speech exercised with enthusiasm is and well here in London.
have that at home too. now have that right in as well.

The people Great Britain also might see familiar traits in Americans.
We're faulted for a naive faith liberty can change the world. that's an error, it began reading too much John Locke Adam Smith.
Americans have on been called moralists, who often in terms of right and . That zeal has been inspired examples on this island, by tireless compassion of Lord Shaftesbury, righteous courage of Wilberforce and firm determination of the Royal over the decades to fight end the trade in slaves.
's rightly said that Americans are religious people. That's in part of the good news that translated by Tyndale, preached by , lived out in the example William Booth.
At times Americans even said to have a streak. And where might that come from? Well, we can with the Puritans.
To this heritage, Americans have added a traits of our own: the influence of our immigrants and spirit of the frontier.
Yet remains a bit of England every American. So much of national character comes from you, we're glad for it. The of generations is the cause common beliefs.
We believe in societies ordered by moral conviction. believe in private markets humanised compassionate government. We believe in that reward effort, communities that the weak and the duty nations to respect the dignity the rights of all. And one learns these ideals in Durham or in West Texas, instil mutual respect and they common purpose.
More than an of security and commerce, the and American peoples have an of values. And today this and tested alliance is very .

The deepest beliefs of nations set the direction of foreign policy. We value our civil rights, so we stand the human rights of others. affirm the God-given dignity of person, so we are moved action by poverty and oppression famine and disease.
The United and Great Britain share a in the world beyond the of power or the simple of interest.
We seek the of freedom and the peace freedom brings.
Together our nations standing and sacrificing for this goal in a distant land this very hour. And America the idealism and the bravery the sons and daughters of .
The last president to stay Buckingham Palace was an idealist question. At a dinner hosted King George V in 1918, Wilson made a pledge. With American understatement, he vowed that and justice would become the and controlling force in the .
President Wilson had come to with his 14 points for . Many complimented him on this yet some were dubious.
Take, example, the prime minister of . He complained that God himself only 10 commandments. Sounds familiar.
Wilson's high point of idealism, , Europe was one short generation Munich and Auschwitz and the .
Looking back, we see the why. The League of Nations, both credibility and will, collapsed the first challenge of the .
Free nations failed to recognise, less confront, the aggressive evil plain sight. And so, dictators about their business, feeding resentments anti-Semitism, bringing death to innocent in this city and across world and filling the last with violence and genocide.
Through war and cold war we that idealism, if it is do any good in this , requires common purpose and national , moral courage and patience in tasks. And now our generation need of these qualities.
On the 11th, 2001, the terrorists their mark of murder on country and took the lives 67 British citizens. With the of months and years, it the natural human desire to a quiet life and to that day behind us as waking from a dark dream. hope that danger has passed comforting, is understanding and it false.
The attacks that followed Bali, Jakarta, Casablanca, Bombay, Mombasa, , Jerusalem, Riyadh, Baghdad and Istanbul not dreams. They're part of global campaign by terrorist networks intimidate and demoralise all who them.
These terrorists target the and they kill by the . And they would, if they the weapons they seek, kill the millions and not be .
The greatest threat of our is nuclear, chemical or biological in the hands of terrorists the dictators who aid them.
evil is in plain sight. danger only increases with denial. responsibilities fall once again to great democracies. We will face threats with open eyes and will defeat them.

The and security of free nations rests on three pillars.
First, organisations must be equal to challenges facing our world, from up failing states to opposing . Like 11 presidents before me, believe in the international institutions alliances that America helped to and helps to lead.
The States and Great Britain have hard to help make the Nations what it is supposed be: an effective instrument of collective security.
In recent months, 've sought and gained three additional on Iraq, Resolutions 1441, 1483 1511, precisely because the global of terror demands a global .
The United Nations has no compelling advocate than your prime , who at every turn has its ideals and appealed to authority. He understands as well the credibility of the U.N. on a willingness to keep word and to act when is required.
America and Great have done, and will do, in their power to prevent United Nations from solemnly choosing own irrelevance and inviting the of the League of Nations.
's not enough to meet the of the world with resolutions; must meet those dangers with .
In this century, as in last, nations can accomplish more than apart. For 54 years has stood with our partners NATO, the most effective multilateral in history.
We're committed to great democratic alliance and we it must have the will the capacity to act beyond where threats emerge.
My nation the growing unity of Europe, the world needs America and European Union to work in purpose for the advance of and justice.
America is cooperating four other nations to meet dangers posed by North Korea. believes the IAEA must be to its purpose and hold to its obligations. Our first and our constant practice is work with other responsible governments.
understand as well that the of multilateralism is not measured adherence to forms alone -- tidiness of the process -- by the results we achieve keep our nations secure.
The pillar of peace and security our world is the willingness free nations, when the last arrives, to retain aggression and by force.
There are principled to the use of force every generation, and I credit good motives behind these views.
in authority, however, are not only by good motivations. The have given us the duty defend them and that duty requires the violent restraint of men. In some cases, the use of force is all protects us from a chaotic ruled by force.
Most in peaceful West have no living of that kind of world. in some countries the memories recent.
The victims of ethnic in the Balkans, those who the rapists and the death had few qualms when NATO force to help end those . The women of Afghanistan, imprisoned their homes and beaten in streets and executed in public , did not reproach us for the Taliban.
Inhabitants of Iraq's hell, with his lavish palaces his torture chambers, with his statues and its mass graves, not miss their fugitive dictator; rejoiced at his fall.
In these cases, military action was by diplomatic initiatives and negotiations ultimatums and final chances until final moment.
In Iraq, year year, the dictator was given chance to account for his programs and end the nightmare his people. Now the resolutions defied have been enforced.
And will say that Iraq was off when Saddam Hussein was and killing, or that the was safer when he held ?
Who doubts that Afghanistan is more just society and less without Mullah Omar playing host terrorists from around the world?
Europe, too, is plainly better with Milosevic answering for his instead of committing more.
It's said that those who live a police station find it to believe in the triumph violence. In the same way, peoples might be tempted to for granted the orderly societies have come to know.
Europe's unity is one of the achievements of the last half . And because European countries now differences through negotiation and consensus, 's sometimes an assumption that the world functions in the same .
But let us never forget Europe's unity was achieved: by armies of liberation and NATO of defence.
And let us forget, beyond Europe's borders, in world where oppression and violence very real, liberation is still moral goal and freedom and still need defenders.

The pillar of security is our to the global expansion of and the hope and progress brings as the alternative to and hatred and terror. We rely exclusively on military power assure our long-term security. Lasting is gained as justice and advance.
In democratic and successful , men and women do not allegiance to malcontents and murderers. turn their hearts and labour building better lives. And democratic do not shelter terrorist camps attack their peaceful neighbours. They the aspirations and dignity of own people.
In our conflict terror and tyranny, we have unmatched advantage, a power that be resisted, and that is appeal of freedom to all .
As global powers, both our serve the cause of freedom many ways in many places.
promoting development and fighting famine AIDS and other diseases, we're our moral duties as well encouraging stability and building a basis for democratic institutions.
By for justice in Burma, the and in Zimbabwe, we give to suffering people and improve chances for stability and progress.
extending the reach of trade, foster prosperity and the habits liberty.
And by advancing freedom the greater Middle East, we end a cycle of dictatorship radicalism that brings millions of to misery and brings danger our own people.
The stakes that region could not be .
If the Middle East remains place where freedom does not , it will remain a place stagnation and anger and violence export. And as we saw the ruins of two towers, distance on the map will our lives and way of .
If the greater Middle East the democratic revolution that has much of the world, the of millions in that region be bettered, and a trend conflict and fear will be at its source.
The movement history will not come about . Because of our own democratic , the fact that it was and at times turbulent, we be patient with others.
And Middle East countries have some to travel. Arab scholars speak a freedom deficit that has whole nations from the progress our time. The essentials of and material progress -- limited , equal justice under law, religious economic liberty, political participation, free and respect for the rights women -- have been scarce the region. Yet that has to change.
In an arc reform from Morocco to Jordan Qatar, we are seeing elections new protections for women and stirrings of political pluralism.
Many are realising that theocracy and do not lead to national ; they end in national ruin. 're finding, as others will find, national progress and dignity are when governments are just and are free.
The democratic progress 've seen in the Middle East not imposed from abroad, and will the greater progress we to see. Freedom, by definition, be chosen and defended by who choose it.
Our part free nations is to ally with reform wherever it occurs.
the most helpful change we make is to change in own thinking. In the West, 's been a certain scepticism about capacity or even the desire Middle Eastern peoples for self- .
We're told that Islam is inconsistent with a democratic culture, more than half of the 's Muslims are today contributing citizens democratic societies.
It is suggested the poor, in their daily , care little for self-government, yet poor especially need the power democracy to defend themselves against elites.
People from the Middle share a high civilisation, a of personal responsibility and a for freedom as deep as own.
It is not realism suppose that one-fifth of humanity unsuited to liberty. It is and condescension, and we should none of it.

We shake off decades of failed in the Middle East. Your and mine in the past been willing to make a to tolerate oppression for the of stability. Longstanding ties often us to overlook the faults local elites.
Yet this bargain not bring stability or make safe. It merely bought time problems festered and ideologies of took hold.
As recent history shown, we cannot turn a eye to oppression just because oppression is not in our back yard. No longer should think tyranny is benign because is temporarily convenient. Tyranny is benign to its victims and great democracies should oppose tyranny it is found.

Now 're pursuing a different course, a strategy of freedom in the East. We will consistently challenge enemies of reform and confront allies of terror. We will a higher standard from our in the region, and we meet our responsibilities in Afghanistan in Iraq by finishing the of democracy we have begun.
were good-faith disagreements in your and mine over the course timing of military action in . Whatever has come before, we have only two options: to our word or to break word.
The failure of democracy Iraq would throw its people into misery and turn that over to terrorists who wish destroy us. Yet democracy will in Iraq, because our will firm, our word is good the Iraqi people will not their freedom.

Since the of Iraq, we have seen that could hardly have been a year ago. A new police force protects the people, of bullying them. More than Iraqi newspapers are now in , printing what they choose, not they're ordered.
Schools are open, textbooks free of propaganda. Hospitals functioning and are well-supplied.
Iraq a new currency, the first of a new army, representative governments, and a governing council an aggressive timetable for national .
This is substantial progress. And of it has proceeded faster similar efforts in Germany and after World War II.
But violence we are seeing in today is serious. And it from Baathist holdouts and jihadists other countries and terrorists drawn the prospect of innocent bloodshed.
is the nature of terrorism the cruelty of a few try to bring grief and loss to many.
The armed of both our countries have losses felt deeply by our . Some families now live with burden of great sorrow.
We take the pain away, but families can know they are alone. We pray for their . We pray for their comfort. we will never forget the of the ones they loved.
terrorists have a purpose, a to their cruelty. They view rise of democracy in Iraq a powerful threat to their . In this, they are correct.
believe their acts of terror our coalition, against international aid and against innocent Iraqis will us recoil and retreat. In , they are mistaken.

We not charge hundreds of miles the heart of Iraq and a bitter cost of casualties liberate 25 million people only retreat before a band of and assassins.
We will help Iraqi people establish a peaceful democratic country in the heart the Middle East. And by so, we will defend our from danger.
A forward strategy freedom must also apply to Arab-Israeli conflict. This is a period in a part of world that has known many. our commitment remains firm. We justice and dignity. We seek viable, independent state for the people, who have been betrayed others for too long.
We security and recognition for the of Israel, which has lived the shadow of random death too long.

These are goals in themselves. And by them, we will also remove occasion and excuse for hatred violence in the broader Middle .
Achieving peace in the Holy is not just a matter the shape of a border. we work on the details peace, we must look to heart of the matter, which the need for a viable democracy.
Peace will not be by Palestinian rulers who intimidate , who tolerate and profit from and maintain their ties to groups. These are the methods the old elites, who time again have put their own above the interests of the they claim to serve.
The Palestinian people deserve better. They true leaders, capable of creating governing a Palestinian state.
Even the setbacks and frustrations of months, goodwill and hard effort bring about a Palestinian state a secure Israel.
Those who lead a new Palestine should peaceful means to achieve the of their people and create reformed institutions of a stable .
Israel should free settlement construction, unauthorised outposts, end the daily of the Palestinian people and prejudice final negotiations with the of walls and fences.
Arab should end incitement in their media, cut off public and funding for terrorism, and establish relations with Israel.
Leaders in should withdraw all favour and from any Palestinian ruler who his people and betrays their .
And Europe's leaders, and all , should strongly oppose anti-Semitism, which public debates over the future the Middle East.

Ladies gentlemen, we have great objectives us that make our Atlantic as vital as it has been.
We will encourage the and effectiveness of international institutions. will use force when necessary the defence of freedom.
And will raise up an ideal democracy in every part of world.
On these three pillars will build the peace and of all free nations in time of danger.
So much has come from our alliance conviction and might. So much depends on the strength of alliance as we go forward.
has always found strong partners London, leaders of good judgment blunt counsel and backbone, when are tough. And I have all those qualities in your prime minister, who has my and my deepest thanks.

ties between our nations, however, deeper than a relationship between . These ties endure because they formed by the experience and and adversity we have shared.
in the memory of our , there will always be one , one central event, when the was fixed on the friendship Britain and the United States: arrival in Great Britain of than 1.5 million American soldiers airmen in the 1940s was turning point in the Second War.
For many Britons, it a first close look at other than in the movies. of you here today may remember the friendly invasion. Our , they took some getting used .
There was even a saying what many of them were to in addition to being and over here.
At a in North London some years , an American pilot who had in England after his military said, "Well, I'm still over and probably overpaid, so two of three isn't bad."
In time of war, the English did get used to the . They welcomed soldiers and flyers their villages and homes and to calling them "our boys."
70,000 of those boys did part to affirm our special . They returned home with English .
Americans gained a certain image Britain as well. We saw island threatened on every side a leader who did not in a country of the character.
And that has not . The British people are the of partners you want when work needs doing. The men women of this kingdom are and steadfast and generous and , and America is fortunate to this country our closest friend the world.
May God bless all.