By Arun Kumar, IANS
Washington : President George Bush has sought creation of a new international clean technology fund to help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources.
The call came in his last State of the Union address Monday night as he sought to reassure Americans about the economy declaring the US would banish the spectre of an imminent recession, provided that Congress acts quickly on the $150 billion economic stimulus package laid out last week.
“To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy,” said Bush, who leaves office next January at the end of his second term, in the midst of a fierce battle for his successor.
“In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth,” said Bush watched by hundreds of legislators, officials and guests at the Capitol and a television audience of millions. “But in the short run, we can all see that growth is slowing,” he said.
While he focussed more on domestic economic concerns, Bush also dilated on foreign policy issues including the war on terrorism, trade and the global fight against climate change.
“Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources.
“And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases. This agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride,” Bush said.
Reiterating his position that the US was winning the battle against terrorism with gains in the campaign in Iraq, Bush said: “Since Sep 11 (2001), we have taken the fight to these terrorists and extremists.
“We will stay on the offensive, we will keep up the pressure, and we will deliver justice to the enemies of America,” he said, asserting that great progress has been made in Iraq, but that “the enemy is still dangerous, and more work remains”.
“…Some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaida is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated,” he said. “The American and Iraqi forces have achieved results few of us could have imagined just one year ago.”
Turning to Iran, he asked the country’s leaders to “verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home, and cease your support for terror abroad.
“But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf, ” Bush warned.
Stressing the importance of trade, the president said: “On trade, we must trust American workers to compete with anyone in the world and empower them by opening up new markets overseas.
“Today, our economic growth increasingly depends on our ability to sell American goods, crops, and services all over the world…”
Seeking new free trade agreements, he said: “These agreements will level the playing field. They will give us better access to nearly 100 million customers. And they will support good jobs for the finest workers in the world: those whose products say ‘Made in the USA.'”
Describing immigration as a pressing challenge, Bush said: “Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved. And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals.”