UNITED NATIONS (SEPTEMBER 29, 2015) (UNTV - ACCESS ALL) (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: “I have repeatedly said that our approach will take time. This is not an easy task. We have ISIL taking root in areas that are already suffering from failed governance in some cases, in some cases civil war, or sectarian strife and as a consequence of the vacuum that exists in many of these areas, ISIL has been able to dig in. They’ve shown themselves to be resilient and they are very effective through social media and have been able to attract adherence, not just from the areas in which they operate but in many of our own countries. There are going to be successes and there are going to be setbacks. This is not a conventional battle. This is a long-term campaign, not only against this particular network, but against its ideology.” // “In Syria, which has obviously been a topic of significant discussion during the course of this general assembly, we have seen support from Turkey that has allowed us to intensify our air campaign there. ISIL has been pushed back from large sections of northeastern Syria, including the key city of Tal Abyad, putting new pressure on its stronghold of Raqqa. And ISIL has been cut off from almost the entire region bordering Turkey, which is a critical step towards stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. Following the special security council meeting I chaired last year, more than 20 additional countries have passed or strengthened laws to disrupt the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. We share more information and we are strengthening border controls. We’ve prevented would be fighters from reaching the battlefield and returning to threaten our countries.” // “As I’ve said before we are prepared to work with all countries, including Russia and Iran to find a political mechanism in which it is possible to begin a transition process.” // “Even if we were to wipe out the entire cadre of ISIL leadership, we would still have some of these forces at work. But ultimately I am optimistic. In Iraq and in Syria, ISIL is surrounded by communities, countries and a broad international coalition committed to its destruction. We’ve seen that ISIL can be defeated on the battlefield, where there is sound organization and a government and military that is coordinating with this coalition and with our diplomatic efforts. And here at this summit, we’re seeing a new global movement to counter the violent extremism that ISIL needs to survive. Like terrorists and tyrants throughout history, ISIL will eventually lose, because it has nothing to offer but suffering and death. When you look at the reports of those who are laboring under their control, it is a stark and brutal life that does not appeal to people over the long term. So we will ultimately prevail, because we are guided by a stronger, better vision, a commitment to the security opportunity and dignity of every human being.”