Now, the second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world. America's strong bonds with Israel are well-known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied。

　　Around the world the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries. And anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented holocaust. Tomorrow I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich。

　　Six million Jews were killed, more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless. It is ignorant, and it is hateful。

　　It's about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path。

　　I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nations should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons。

　　And any nation, including Iran, should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty. And it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal。

　　The fourth issue that I will address is democracy。

　　I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years. And much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear. No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other. That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people。

　　Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election。

　　But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed, confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice, government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people, the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas. They are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere。

　　Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear. Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments, provided they govern with respect for all their people。

　　This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power. Once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others。

　　So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power. You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion. You must respect the rights of minorities and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise. You must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party。

　　Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy。

　　But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai。

　　我们需要探讨的导致紧张局势的第二个主要根源是以色列、巴勒斯坦和阿拉伯世界之间的局势。美以关系之紧密众所周知。这一牢不可破的纽带关系有其自身的文化和历史渊源，它是对犹太人渴求家园的认同——而这种渴望源自一段难以否认的悲惨历史。

　　世界各地的犹太人惨遭迫害长达几个世纪之久。欧洲的反犹太主义最终发展成一场史无前例的浩劫。明天，我将访问布痕瓦尔德集中营，它曾是第三帝国奴役、折磨、枪杀和用毒气杀害犹太人的众多集中营之一。

　　600万犹太人惨遭杀戮——罹难人数比以色列现在的犹太人口总数还多。否认这一事实的论调是无知和可憎的无稽之谈。

　　必须阻止中东地区的核军备竞赛，否则，它会使该地区乃至全世界走上一条极其危险的道路。

　　我理解到，有人抗议有些国家掌握核武器而其他国家却不曾拥有。任何一个国家都无权挑选和指定哪些国家有资格拥有核武器。因此，我强烈重申美国的承诺：努力建设一个任何国家都不拥有核武的世界。

　　包括伊朗在内的任何国家，只要其履行《不扩散核武器条约》所规定的责任和义务，均有权和平利用核能。这一点是上述条约的核心内容，各签约国必须严格遵循。我希望该地区所有国家都能把它作为共同目标。

　　我要谈的第四个问题是民主。

　　我知道，近年来曾出现过关于推行民主政治的争论，其中大多数都与伊拉克战争有关。请允许我澄清一下：一个国家不可以也不应该将自己的政府体制强加给另一个国家。但这丝毫不能减弱我对表达人民意愿的各国政府所做出的承诺。

　　每个国家都将立足与本民族的传统并以自己的方式实践这一原则。美国并不认为自己通晓对每个人都合适的体制，就像我们对和平选举的结果不能做到先知先觉一样。

　　但是，我有一个坚定不移的信念，即各国人民都渴望实现某些理想：言论自由、享有参政话语权、相信法制和司法公正、政府透明执政且不会对人民横征暴敛、自由选择生活方式。这些不仅仅是美国人民的理想，更是全人类的共同人权，因而处处受到我们的拥护。

　　然而，兑现这一承诺并非一帆风顺。但有一点是清楚的，凡能保护这些权利的政府，最终会更稳定、更成功、更安全；相反，压制人民思想的绝不会得逞，因为思想不会泯灭。即使有时不会苟同，美国也会尊重一切和平且合法的呼声，并希望这些声音响彻全世界。只要一个政府由选举产生、热爱和平且尊重人民，我们就欢迎。

　　最后一点也很重要，因为有些人只有在不掌握权力的时候才会鼓吹民主。一旦其大权在握，就会无情践踏他人的权利。

　　无论在何处，民有与民治的政体为所有执政者提供了了一条金科玉律：你必须以民意而非胁迫来保持权威；你必须尊重少数群体的权利，并怀着宽容与妥协的精神参与其中；你必须把人民的利益和合法的政治程序置于自己的党派利益之上。

　　缺少了这些内容，单靠选举是无法实现真正的民主的。

　　但我知道，人类的进步是势不可挡的。发展与传统可以并行不悖。日本和韩国等在保持自己特有文化的同时大力发展了经济。从吉隆坡到迪拜，以穆斯林为主流的国家亦取得了同样惊人的进步。