The cost to the U.S. of inaction by us or others can often be enormous.

I believe we stand now at yet another defining moment--one in which the peoples and nations of the world must find both the will and more effective means to cooperate, if we are to counter the urgent global threats that face us all.

What do you really realistically believe can be done so that under the Obama administration this will be different?

President-elect Obama believes that the United States should pay our dues to the U.N. in full and on time.

You have been an ardent champion of a principled U.S. foreign policy to ensure this country's security and prosperity.

The fact that more than 1 year after the force was established the crucial U.N. mission in Darfur is only at half-strength is patently unacceptable.

The President-elect has said very forcefully that that is a great threat to the United States, to Israel, and to the region.

The other half of the challenge, though, Mr. Chairman, is that of will, political will.

We need to lead from a position of moral strength in order to bring others along with us.

The United States has a very significant interest in helping Haiti to become a more stable democracy.

I will be very energetic in doing so.

We can't do everything by ourselves.