Harper at Council on Foreign Relations

Prime Minister Harper addresses Council on Foreign Relations

September 25, 2007

http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=2&id=1830

EXCERPT only: full text at link above.

All of us here believe in a world in which freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are paramount and pervasive.

But the reality in which we live is unfortunately otherwise.

And, therefore, the tasks before us are difficult and sometimes daunting.

Preventing terrorism from reaching our shores; stopping the spread of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons; bolstering fragile states; helping rebuild societies shattered by chronic conflict, tackling climate change at the global level, sustaining and spreading economic growth and prosperity.

No country acting alone can successfully meet these challenges. They are too complex and too enduring to be addressed by even the world’s single most powerful nation.

So success, in this global environment, requires concerted effort among capable, committed, like-minded nations.

Success requires middle powers who can step up to the plate to do their part.