Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, who died hours earlier at the age of 78.
Bush, a self-declared ‘born-again’ Christian, mentioned her legacy in his annual State of the Union address aimed at raising public support for his policies in the Middle East and at home. Till her death, Coretta Scott King made clear she still believed in the dream of her assassinated husband, who had peacefully fought for equality and human rights.
The president suggested he too wanted to fight for human rights and democracy even in Iran, where religious rights groups in recent months reported a crack down on Christians and political activists. He made clear that the United States should not be dependent on oil from countries like Iran. "America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world," he concluded.
Bush also said the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is defying the world with its nuclear ambitions, and added that other nations must not permit Tehran to develop nuclear weapons. "We respect you and we respect your country," he told the people of Iran. "Our nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran."
ISRAEL RECOGNIZED
In addition, he made clear that militant group Hamas, the winner of last week’s Palestinian elections, must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace. Bush suggested that neighboring Egypt could play a role in making the region mor stable by "open paths of peaceful opposition that will reduce the appeal of radicalism."
It was seen as reference to Islamic militants across the region. There are also worries about the treatment of Coptic Christians in Egypt, who comprise less than 6 percent of Egypt’s predominantly Muslim population of nearly 78 million. The US Copts Association has said Coptic girls have been kidnapped by Muslim militants and forced to concert to Islam.
Bush defended the US operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, which he said was the best way to end terrorism and eventually build democracy throughout the Middle East. He claimed Iraqi forces are "increasingly capable of defeating insurgents," but admitted there was still a difficult road ahead. Critics, including the conflict reducing organization Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), have urged Bush to withdraw forces from Iraq. Four CPT-ers have been held hostage by militants since Nocember 26, last year.
"VICTORY" PLAN
Bush told his nation however that he had "a clear plan for victory" that includes reconstruction efforts and the building of an inclusive government. In an unscripted moment, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq, was taken into custody by police in the House gallery just before Bush spoke to a joint session of Congress. She was escorted from the visitors gallery after she caused a disruption, a Capitol Police official told reporters.
Presisdent Bush also defended the controversial warrantless eavesdropping program by the National Security Agency, saying it has helped prevent terrorist attacks. He asked Congress to re-authorize the Patriot Act, saying law enforcement officials deserve the same tools they already use to fight drug trafficking and organized crime.
Bush also promised to encourage economic progress in developing nation and cited action to fight AIDS and malaria, improve the education of girls, fight human trafficking and reward developing nations that are moving forward with political and economic reforms.
His speech came at the start of an election year in the United States, as Bush’s Republican Party battles to keep control of Congress. A newly published (NBC News/Wall Street Journal) opinion poll shows the president’s approval rating is now at only 39 percent, the Voice Of America (VOA) reported. (With reports from the United States and the Middle East).
