Obama to Address Muslim Unrest in U.N. Speech

By David Jackson, USA TODAY

(USA TODAY) - President Obama will address "the recent unrest in the Muslim world" in his speech Tuesday to the United Nations General Assembly, the White House is saying.

That includes denouncing both the protests at American diplomatic posts in the Middle East -- including the death of the U.S. ambassador to Libya -- and the anti-Islam film that is inspiring some of the protests.

"As he has in recent days, the President will make it clear that we reject the views in this video, while also underscoring that violence is never acceptable," said National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor in a memo on Obama's upcoming U.N. speech.

That message has been echoed by leaders in Libya, Egypt, Yemen and other nations, the memo stated.

At the U.N. on Tuesday morning, Obama "will also send a clear message that the United States will never retreat from the world; will bring justice to those who harm Americans, and will stand strongly for our democratic values abroad," Vietor said.

The president will also re-affirm his commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining the means to make a nuclear weapon, Vietor said.

Vietor's full memo:

"UNGA always provides an opportunity for the President to put the international situation in context, and to put forward a vision of US leadership.

I would certainly expect the President to address the recent unrest in the Muslim world, and the broader context of the democratic transitions in the Arab World.

As he has in recent days, the President will make it clear that we reject the views in this video, while also underscoring that violence is never acceptable --a message that has been echoed by the leaders he has personally reached out to in places like Libya, Egypt and Yemen. He will also send a clear message that the United States will never retreat from the world; will bring justice to those who harm Americans; and will stand strongly for our democratic values abroad.

With respect to Iran, we have consistently framed that issue around Iran's profound failure to meet its international obligations with respect to its nuclear program. Therefore, UNGA presents another opportunity for him to underscore that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

Any time the President goes to the UNGA, he has an opportunity to set the agenda on the world stage as the leader of the world's most powerful nation. He does so with the credibility of strengthening our alliances, ending the war in Iraq, devastating al Qaeda, and rallying international action on challenges like securing nuclear materials and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons. It's clear that the United States is in a stronger position than we were when he took office."