We do not seek alliances because we are weak, but because acting with our friends and partners around the world makes us strong.

But lasting security that would encourage the displaced to return to and rebuild their homes cannot be achieved without a comprehensive political solution that enfranchises and empowers the people of Darfur.

the actions and decisions of an international body will never and do never override our own Constitution and national law.

The goal of our diplomacy at the United Nations must be to make it a more perfect forum to address the most pressing global challenges: to promote peace, to support democracy, and to strengthen respect for human rights.

It is important to use the United Nations as a vehicle to promote peace and stability.

The United States has fought for, and under President-elect Obama will remain committed to, increasing transparency within the United Nations system.

No U.S. administration will ever and could ever cede sovereignty to an international body or indeed to any other institution.

The United Nations offers us: An imperfect, but indispensible vehicle to share those burdens.

The United States will never ask permission to defend ourselves or our allies.

We need them to work with us and others to bring the necessary pressure to bear on that regime so that the Zimbabwean peoples' suffering can finally end.

President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden, Secretary-designate Clinton and I have been very clear and forceful in our condemnation of the genocide in Sudan and in our commitment to far more robust actions to try and end it.

The United States should pay its U.N. dues, including our peacekeeping assessment, on time and in full.