“Third, permit me to press all of you, as leaders of the international community, to maintain your commitment to Afghanistan.”…

“And finally, in South Asia the world has recently come closer than for many years past to a direct conflict between two countries with nuclear capability. The situation may now have calmed a little, but it remains perilous. The underlying cause must be addressed.

"If a fresh crisis erupts, the international community might have a role to play; though I gladly acknowledge -– and indeed, strongly welcome -- the efforts made by well-placed Member States to help the two leaders find a solution.

“Excellencies, let me conclude by reminding you of your pledge two years ago, at the Millennium Summit, “to make the United Nations a more effective instrument” in the service of the peoples of the world.

“Today I ask all of you to honour that pledge.

“Let us all recognize, from now on -– in each capital, in every nation, large and small -– that the global interest is our national interest.”

Please continue for complete speech.

Reuter's Photo during lunch meeting after U.S. President Bush's speech, by Win McNamee.