FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 19, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi Statement on President Bush’s Speech at the United Nations

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on President Bush’s speech at the United Nations in New York:

“It is one thing to give a speech about promoting peace, freedom, and democracy in broad, general terms as President Bush did at the United Nations today.  It is another to commit to doing the hard work of diplomacy on a daily basis to resolve matters such as Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Syria’s support for Hezbollah, and the issues that divide Israelis and Palestinians. 

“The President’s words need to be matched by sustained diplomatic engagement with our allies, and directly with our adversaries when necessary – not just when elections are near, but all the time.  Mr. Bush’s rhetoric must be matched by policies that are well devised and competently implemented – unlike the policies that have made the United States less safe, such as the war in Iraq or the failure to finish the fight against terrorists in Afghanistan.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi