2008 Presidential Candidates on: Foreign Policy

[EMUJeff]

In an attempt to help us all become more informed citizens in regards to the upcoming November 4th, 2008 Presidential election and with the start of the general campaign upon us I will present some threads on specific topics. They will include some quotations with sources. These are chosen from the non-partisan group ontheissues.org. In each of the 24 threads one issue will be highlighted with a rotating order of candidate presentation for the major candidates nominated by parties or expected to have impact on the election. Wherever possible, we will quote the candidate over time so any changes in opinion are notable.
At this time they include Senator John McCain (Republican), Senator Barack Obama (Democrat), Representative Bob Barr (Libertarian), Cynthia McKinney (Green), Ralph Nader (Independent), and any other candidate who is registered in enough states to carry a majority of the Electoral college (Alan Keyes on the Constitution Party ticket may be eligible later as the party is in 14 states and counting).
The first topic is- Foreign Policy
EMUJeff

[EMUJeff]

Senator John McCain

No circumstances where president can disregard treaties

Q: Under what circumstances, if any, is the president, when operating overseas as commander-in-chief, free to disregard international human rights treaties that the US Senate has ratified?

A: I know of no circumstance. Again, it goes back to what the law says--if there is a treaty that the Congress has ratified, we have chosen to make it the law of the land, and it must be obeyed under the terms that it was ratified. Source: Boston Globe questionnaire on Executive Power Dec 20, 2007
Maintain Cuban embargo; indict Castro

Q: Cuban dictatorship has survived nine U.S. presidents. What would you do differently, that has not been done so far, to bring democracy to Cuba?

A: Of course we need to keep our embargo up. Of course we cannot allow economic aid to flow to Cuba. And if I were president of the United States, I would order an investigation of the shoot-down of those brave Cubans who were killed under the orders of Raul and Fidel Castro, and, if necessary, indict them. Source: 2007 Republican primary debate on Univision Dec 9, 2007
Situation in Pakistan very serious, but not nuclear threat

Q: Pakistan appears to be on the brink. Tremendous political instability, raging Islamic terrorism. How serious a threat to US interests if Pakistan is destabilized?

A: It's very serious. Waziristan, where I have visited, is clearly at least partially under the control of Taliban and Al Qaida military units who are launching attacks into Afghanistan. The Pakistani army has not been successful, and they made this unholy truce with them which has led to attacks into Afghanistan.
Q: So what happens to us if the country is destabilized?
A: It's a nuclear nation. I am convinced that there are some military people within Pakistan who are more Islamic than the present leadership--radicalized, I mean. What the US should be doing is encourage the reconciliation between Bhutto and Musharraf. I would hope that we would be able to defuse some of the situation. But it would have to be a very, very radical regime to take over for it to be a nuclear threat. Source: FOX News Sunday, 2007 presidential interviews Oct 21, 2007
Naive to exclude nukes; naive to exclude attacking Pakistan

It's naive to say that we will never use nuclear weapons. It's naive to say we're going to attack Pakistan without thinking it through. What if Musharraf were removed from power? What if a radical Islamic government were to take place because we triggered it with an attack?

I believe the reason why we won the Cold War is because of our advocacy and our dedication to the principles that all of us are created equal and endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate Aug 5, 2007
We have good reason to expect solidarity of our allies

The Democrats emphasize that military action alone won't protect us, that this war has many fronts: in courts, financial institutions, in the shadowy world of intelligence, and in diplomacy. They stress America needs the help of her friends to combat an evil that threatens us all, that our alliances are as important to victory as are our armies. We agree. As we've been a good friend to other countries in moments of shared perils, so we have good reason to expect their solidarity with us in this struggle
Source: 2004 Republican Convention Speech Aug 30, 2004
Suu Kyi and the people of Burma will rule themselves someday

On the first public appearance following her release from house arrest in 2002, Aung San Suu Kyi apologized to her people. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting. But my freedom is not a major triumph for democracy; my freedom is not the object of our struggle." So she fights on. And she will prevail. The regime must relent eventually. Suu Kyi and the people of Burma will rule themselves someday. The tyrants who have opposed and terrorized them for so long are simply no match for them. They lack their courage.
Source: Why Courage Matters, p.165 Apr 1, 2004
Overthrow “rogue” governments to keep Americans safe

Q: What area of international policy would you change immediately?
A: Our policies concerning rogue states: Iraq, Libya, North Korea-those countries that continue to try to acquire weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them. I’d institute a policy that I call “rogue state rollback.” I would arm, train, equip, both from without and from within, forces that would eventually overthrow the governments and install free and democratically elected governments.
Source: GOP Debate on the Larry King Show Feb 15, 2000
Our conscience influences US intervention, as in Rwanda

Q: Would you intervene militarily if human rights abuses were at stake?
A: There are times when our principles are so offended that we have to do what we can to resolve a terrible situation. If Rwanda again became a scene of horrible genocide, if there was a way that the US could stop. But we can never say that a nation driven by Judeo-Christian principles will only intervene where our interests are threatened because we also have values. If genocide is allowed, the consequences later are more severe.
Source: GOP Debate on the Larry King Show Feb 15, 2000
Africa: Money for AIDS would be lost to corruption

Q: Should we appropriate $300 million out of the surplus to help fight AIDS in Africa?
A: I would do anything in my power to stop this terrible affliction. But we have corrupt governments; we have organizations that don’t treat the people. So before I spent our taxpayers’ money on that, I would have to make sure that it would go to the recipients and those of these poor people who are afflicted with this terrible disease. Frankly, in a lot of parts of Africa today, I do not have that confidence.
Source: GOP Debate in Michigan Jan 10, 2000
Concern over Chechnya spreads to Caucasus oil reserves

McCAIN [to Forbes]: I want to talk to you about Russia. We’re concerned about Chechnya. We’re concerned about the Caucasus and Georgia and the oil and gas reserves that are there, and I’m particularly interested in your views of Mr. Putin and what we can expect and how you would handle our relations with Russia at this particular moment.

FORBES: I think that our relations with Russia today are another prime example of the lack of a foreign policy of the Clinton-Gore Administration. The way they’re applauding this coup that just took place with the thieving oligarchs of the Kremlin, told Yeltsin get out and we’ll let your family keep their illegal gains, and this way we can move the election up. Have the war fever from Chechnya. The war in Chechnya is simply an election ploy. It’s also, I fear, part of the first step of the old Russian nationalist of reestablishing the old Soviet empire. Chechnya today, perhaps Georgia tomorrow, Armenia after that. It’s a disaster. Source: Republican Debate in West Columbia, SC (http://www.ontheissues.org/GOP_SC.htm) Jan 7, 2000
Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya

McCain says acting Russian President Vladimir Putin should be urged to end the conflict with Chechen militants under threat of sanctions, as issue he would talk about “every day” as president. “I’d state unequivocally that there would be no more US Export-Import Bank loans, that the US would not support any furhter IMF funding until this thing is brought to some kind of reasonable conclusion,” he said.
Source: Associated Press, in The Enterprise (Brockton MA), p. A9 Jan 4, 2000
IMF’s Russia policies bad, but agency is OK

A spokesman for John McCain saif the Senator “generally would not call” for eliminating the IMF but has criticized the agency’s work in Russia, where there are accusations that IMF loans were misused and that the government misled the IMF about its finances.
Source: Boston Globe, p. A14 Oct 5, 1999
Urge Japan to open economy to ensure Asian recovery

Asia’s economic recovery will not be sustained over time, and its markets will not recover their former profitability for American goods and services, unless the greatest economy of Asia - Japan’s - is freed from the market distorting restraints that are inherent in its unique political economy. If it is to thrive once again, Japan must commit to systemic reforms that are politically difficult for powerful constituencies, among them, Japanese farmers and banks.
Source: Speech to National Press Club, 5/20/99 May 20, 1999
Clinton abandoned framework of “assertive multilateralism”

A conceptual framework establishes the relationships among our many interests in the world, provides the basis for prioritizing those interests, and obliges us to integrate policies to serve those priorities. Early on, Clinton [supported] a conceptual framework: “assertive multilateralism.” But it fell apart in Somalia & Bosnia, and assertive gave way to passive multilateralism, where we act in concert with other nations when they determine it necessary to safeguard their security.
Source: www.mccain2000.com/ (http://www.mccain2000.com/) “Position Papers” 4/30/99 Apr 30, 1999
Korea: ease starvation, but avoid war during death throes

[Five years ago,] the US promised North Korea food and energy support, [plus] nuclear reactors, in exchange for the cessation of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. A firmer response might have triggered a war; refusing to help ease the deprivations in the North, and hastening the collapse of the regime might have also resulted in war. North Korea is still inexorably nearing total collapse, and its leaders remain quite capable of launching in their country’s death throes one final, glorious war.
Source: www.mccain2000.com/ (http://www.mccain2000.com/) “Position Papers” 4/30/99 Apr 30, 1999
Cuba: No diplomatic and trade relations

McCain believes that the US should not have diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba.
Source: Project Vote Smart, 1998, www.vote-smart.org (http://www.vote-smart.org) Jul 2, 1998
John McCain on China

Support the One-China policy, don’t weaken it

Q: If Taiwan moves towards declaring independence from China, would you try and stop them?
A: Of course I would. There has been “strategic ambiguity,” but Clinton destroyed that policy, when he went to China and called the Chinese his strategic partner. He destroyed the delicate balance of ambiguity, which is causing many of these problems now. Of course I would tell the Taiwanese that they should observe the one China policy which calls for peaceful reunification.
Source: GOP debate in Los Angeles Mar 2, 2000
$1M political donations by Chinese Army should not be legal



Which of the following constitutes a violation of US law?
An American businessman in China, aware that bribery is a common business practice there, gives a Chinese Communist party official $100 to listen to his proposal.
A subsidiary of a corporation owned by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army gives $1 million apiece to the Democratic and Republican parties in the hope that it may acquire technology that could eventually have a weapons application.

If you answered that only the businessman is in violation of our laws while the Chinese Army-owned company acted within its rights, then you would know just how badly our campaign finance laws have failed our country. You know just how influential big money special interests have become in Washington. We cannot reform anything until we reform the way we finance political campaigns. Until we abolish soft money, Americans will never have a government that works as hard for them as it does for special interests. Source: Boston Globe, p. A19 (editorial by McCain) Jan 28, 2000
China: Advocate for political reforms, and guard Taiwan

Political reforms are the best assurance that China will emerge as a non-threatening great power. We may argue over whether economic engagement and rising prosperity further or hinder those reforms, but they should be the objective of both camps. We need not shrink from a strong advocacy of religious and political freedom. Guarding against Chinese threats to our strategic interests in Asia is a sound rationale for helping reduce the growing threat to Taiwan from a mainland missile attack. Source: (Cross-ref from Foreign Policy) www.mccain2000.com/ (http://www.mccain2000.com/) “Positio Jun 14, 1999
Inaction on spying led to Chinese nuclear improvement

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., long a critic of President Clinton’s China policy, said the [Cox Report] will prompt questions about why the administration did not do more to intervene.“I find it troubling that too little action was taken too late by this administration, resulting in the fact that the Chinese may have been able to build nuclear weapons comparable to ours,” McCain said. Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan May 26, 1999
Engage with China as they become a great power

Chinese leaders. will do whatever is necessary, no matter how inhumane or offensive to us, to pursue their own interests. And they lead a nation of extraordinary potential, that is, whether we like it or not, becoming a great power. America must engage China if we are to maximize our influence over how that immense nation emerges as a world power. [However]. engagement does not require us to cede to China advantages that come at the expense of our own security. Source: www.mccain2000.com/ (http://www.mccain2000.com/) “Position Papers” 4/30/99 Apr 30, 1999

Here are some of the candidate's voting record where the main topic of the legislation was foreign policy...

Pay dues to UN after UN reforms
Regarding the United States-United Nations relationship, McCain says the “US should pay arrears to UN after the UN implements management reforms.”
Source: Project Vote Smart, 1998, www.vote-smart.org Jul 2, 1998
Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons.

Vote to table [kill] an amendment that would require sanctions against China or other countries if they were found to be selling illicit weapons of mass destruction.
Reference: Bill HR.4444 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c10X:S.9999:) ; vote number 2000-242 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2000-242.htm) on Sep 13, 2000
Voted YES on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion.

Adoption of the conference report on the 2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill provided $12.7 billion for foreign aid programs in 2000.
Status: Conf Rpt Agreed to Y)51; N)49
Reference: H.R. 2606 Conference Report; Bill H.R. 2606 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:HR02606:@@@D&summ2=m&) ; vote number 1999-312 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1999-312.htm) on Oct 6, 1999
Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions.

To kill a proposal limiting President Clinton's ability to impose economic sanctions on foreign nations.
Status: Motion to Table Agreed to Y)53; N)46; NV)1
Reference: Motion to table the Lugar Amdt #3156.; Bill S. 2159 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:S.2159:) ; vote number 1998-201 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1998-201.htm) on Jul 15, 1998
Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech.

This amendment would have limited NATO Expansion to only include Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Status: Amdt Rejected Y)41; N)59
Reference: NATO Expansion limit-Warner Amdt. #2322; Bill NATO Expansion Treaty #105-36 ; vote number 1998-112 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1998-112.htm) on Apr 30, 1998
Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF.

Would provide $17.9 billion for the International Monetary Fund.
Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)84; N)16
Reference: McConnell Amdt #2100; Bill S. 1768 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:S.1768:) ; vote number 1998-44 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1998-44.htm) on Mar 26, 1998
Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba.

Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba.
Status: Conf Rpt Agreed to Y)74; N)22; NV)4
Reference: Conference Report on H.R. 927; Bill H.R. 927 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c104:H.R.927:) ; vote number 1996-22 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1996-22.htm) on Mar 5, 1996
Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo.

Ending U.S. trade embargos on the country of Vietnam.
Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)62; N)38
Reference: For. Reltns. Auth. Act FY 94 & 95; Bill S. 1281 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c103:S.1281:) ; vote number 1994-5 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1994-5.htm) on Jan 27, 1994
Sponsored bill suspending Russia's participation in the G-8.

McCain sponsored suspending Russia's participation in the G-8

OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY: A resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the continued participation of the Russian Federation in the Group of 8 nations should be conditioned on the Russian Government voluntarily accepting and adhering to the norms and standards of democracy.

EXCERPTS OF BILL:

Whereas the countries that comprise the Group of 7 nations are committed to the observance of universally recognized standards of human rights, respect for individual liberties, and democratic principles;
Whereas starting in 1991, the leaders of the major free market economies invited then-Russian Pres. Boris Yeltsin to the Group of 7, which in 1998 became known as the Group of 8;
Whereas under the leadership of Pres. Vladimir Putin, Russia has attempted to control the activities of independent media enterprises, religious organizations, and other pluralistic elements of Russian society in an attempt to mute criticism of the government;
Whereas Russian military forces continue to commit brutal atrocities against the civilian population in Chechnya;

Resolved; That it is the sense of Congress that--
the selective prosecution of Russia's political opponents, and the continued commission of widespread atrocities in the conduct of the brutal war in Chechnya, do not reflect the minimum democratic standards that characterize every other member state in the Group of 8 nations;
the continued participation of the Russian Federation in the Group of 8 nations should be conditioned on the Russian Government accepting and adhering to the norms and standards of free, democratic societies;
the Group of 7 nations should suspend the participation of the Russian Federation in the Group of 8 nations until Russia is committed to respecting and upholding democratic principles.

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME:Referred to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; never came to a vote. Source: Russia in the Group of 8 (S.CON.RES.14/H.CON.RES.143) 05-SC14 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_05-SC14.htm) on Feb 17, 2005
Libyan disarmament was a CIA success story.

McCain signed the Report of the Commission on Intelligence on WMDs:


Libya: Summary & Findings

We compared the Intelligence Community's judgments concerning Libya's weapons programs before Tripoli's decision to open them to international scrutiny with current assessments, thereby providing a rare "before" and "after" study of the U.S. Intelligence Community's performance. We believe that the collection and analytic efforts on Libya's weapons represent, for the most part, an Intelligence Community success story. The Community collected good intelligence on Libya's nuclear and missile programs, and it used this intelligence to enter into well-managed discussions with the Libyans, which eventually led to on-site inspections, and, ultimately, Libyan disavowal of weapons of mass destruction. We found that:
The Intelligence Community accurately assessed what nuclear equipment Libya possessed, but it was less successful in judging how Libya could exploit the material;
The Intelligence Community's judgment that Libya possessed chemical weapons agents and chemical weapons bombs was correct, but Libya's actual chemical weapons stockpile proved to be smaller than estimated;
The Intelligence Community's assessments of Libya's missile programs appear to have been generally accurate, but it is not yet possible to evaluate them fully because of limited Libyan disclosures;
The Intelligence Community's penetration of the A.Q. Khan proliferation network provided invaluable intelligence on Libya's nuclear efforts;
The contribution of technical intelligence to assessments of Libya's chemical, biological, and nuclear programs was limited; it provided some valuable information on Libya's missile programs;
Analysts generally showed a commendable willingness to question and reconsider their assessments in light of new information;
Analysts tracking proliferation program developments sometimes inappropriately equated procurement activity with technical capabilities.
Source: Report to the President on WMDs, p.251 05-WMD-10 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_05-WMD-10.htm) on Mar 31, 2005
Impose sanctions and an import ban on Burma.

McCain sponsored imposing sanctions and an import ban on Burma

A bill to impose sanctions on officials of the State Peace and Development Council in Burma, to prohibit the importation of gemstones and hardwoods from Burma, & to promote a coordinated international effort to restore civilian democratic rule to Burma.

(The two Senate versions currently differ in wording). The Saffron Revolution Support Act states that it is U.S. policy to:
support the democratic aspirations of Burma's people;
condemn the repression carried out by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); and
hold accountable individuals responsible for the repression of peaceful political activity in Burma.
Directs the President to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of:
SPDC officials who play or have played a substantial role in political repression in Burma or in the commission of human rights abuses;
Subjects persons so identified to U.S. entry prohibition and financial sanctions.
Amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to prohibit the importation into the US of Burmese gems, teak, or other hardwood timber.
Prohibits any U.S. person or corporation from investing in Burma.
Introductory statement by Sponsor:
Sen. McCAIN. The world has reacted with horror and revulsion at the Burmese junta's recent brutal crackdown against peaceful demonstrators. In crushing the Saffron Revolution, killing hundreds and jailing thousands, including countless Buddhist monks, the junta has left no doubt about its blatant disregard for basic human decency. We, as Americans, stand on the side of freedom, not fear; of peace, not violence; and of the millions in Burma who aspire to a better life, not those who would keep them isolated and oppressed. Our response must go beyond statements of condemnation, and the time to act is now. This legislation imposes meaningful and effective punitive action against the cruel, thuggish, and illegitimate Burmese government. Source: Burma Democracy Promotion Act (S.2257 & S.2172) 07-S2257 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_07-S2257.htm) on Oct 29, 2007
Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations.

McCain co-sponsored urging Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations


WHEREAS for several months, the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, has been announcing over various media that he will not renew the current concession of the television station "Radio Caracas Televisión", also known as RCTV, which is set to expire on May 27, 2007, because of its adherence to an editorial stance different from his way of thinking;
WHEREAS President Chavez justifies this measure based on the alleged role RCTV played in the unsuccessful unconstitutional attempts in April 2002 to unseat President Chavez, under circumstances where there exists no filed complaint or judicial sentence that would sustain such a charge under Venezuelan law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate--
(1) expresses its profound concern about the transgression against freedom of thought and expression that is being committed in Venezuela by the refusal of the President Hugo Chavez to renew the concession of RCTV
(2) strongly encourages the Organization of American States to respond appropriately, with full consideration of the necessary institutional instruments, to such transgression.
Source: Radio Caracas Resolution (S.RES.211) 2007-SR211 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_2007-SR211.htm) on May 21, 2007
Call for Burma's junta to release political prisoners.

McCain co-sponsored calling for Burma's junta to release political prisoners


WHEREAS Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has dedicated her life to the peaceful, non-violent movement for democracy and reconciliation in the Union of Burma;
WHEREAS Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy won a majority of parliamentary seats in Burma's last election held in 1990;
WHEREAS the State Peace and Development Council of Burma refuses to cede power and permit representative government and has detained Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for 11 of the last 17 years;
WHEREAS the ruling military junta has committed numerous, well-documented atrocities against the people of Burma;
WHEREAS Aung San Suu Kyi continues to promote peaceful dialogue and reconciliation despite mistreatment from the State Peace and Development Council;
WHEREAS the United States recognizes and supports the dedication and commitment to freedom demonstrated by Aung San Suu Kyi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate--
(1) honors Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for her courage and devotion to the people of the Union of Burma and their struggle for democracy; and
(2)calls for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners by the State Peace and Development Council.
Source: Aung San Suu Kyi Resolution (S.RES.250) 2007-SR250 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_2007-SR250.htm) on Jun 22, 2007

[EMUJeff]

Senator Barack Obama

Meet with Cuban leaders only with agenda of US interests

Q: [to Clinton]: Would you meet with Raul Castro or not?

CLINTON: I would not meet with him until there was evidence that change was happening.
Q: [to Obama]: Presumably you would be willing to meet?
A: That's correct. Now, keep in mind that the starting point for our policy in Cuba should be the liberty of the Cuban people. And I think we recognize that that liberty has not existed throughout the Castro regime. And we now have an opportunity to potentially change the relationship between the US & Cuba after over half a century. I would meet without preconditions, although Sen. Clinton is right that there has to be preparation. It is very important for us to make sure that there was an agenda human rights, releasing of political prisoners, opening up the press. And that preparation might take some time. But I do think that it's important for the US not just to talk to its friends, but also to talk to its enemies. In fact, that's where diplomacy makes the biggest difference. Source: 2008 Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008_Dems_Texas.htm) Feb 21, 2008
Cuba: Loosen restrictions now; normalization later

Q: Do you support normalizing relations with Cuba now?

A: As a show of good faith that we're interested in pursuing a new relationship, I've called for a loosening of the restrictions on remittances from family members to Cuba, as well as travel restrictions for family members who want to visit their family members in Cuba. And I think that initiating that change in policy as a start could be useful, but I would not normalize relations until we started seeing some progress.
Q: But that's different from your position back in 2003, when you called US policy toward Cuba a miserable failure.
A: I support the eventual normalization. And it's absolutely true that I think our policy has been a failure. During my entire lifetime, Cuba has been isolated, but has not made progress when it comes to the issues of political rights and personal freedoms. So I think that we have to shift policy. I think our goal has to be ultimately normalization. But that's going to happen in steps. Source: 2008 Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008_Dems_Texas.htm) Feb 21, 2008
Important to undo the damage of the last seven years

The Bush administration has done so much damage to American foreign relations that the president take a more active role in diplomacy than might have been true 20 or 30 years ago. If we think that meeting with the president is a privilege that has to be earned, that reinforces the sense that we stand above the rest of the world at this point in time. It's important for us in undoing the damage that has been done over the last seven years, for the president to be willing to take that extra step.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin Feb 21, 2008
Never negotiate out of fear, and never fear to negotiate

As commander-in-chief, all of us would have a responsibility to keep the American people safe. That's our first responsibility. I would not hesitate to strike against anybody who would do Americans or American interests' harm. What I do believe is that we have to describe a new foreign policy that says, for example, I will meet not just with our friends, but with our enemies, because I remember what Kennedy said, that we should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate. Having that kind of posture is the way we effectively debate the Republicans on this issue. Because if we just play into the same fear-mongering that they have been engaged in since 9/11, then we are playing on their battlefield, but, more importantly, we are not doing what's right in order to rebuild our alliances, repair our relationships around the world, and actually make us more safe in the long term.
Source: 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Democratic debate (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008_CBC_Dems.htm) Jan 21, 2008
Ok to postpone Pakistani elections, but not indefinitely

Q: Do you believe the elections scheduled for January 8th in Pakistan should be postponed due to Benazir Bhutto's assassination?

A: The key is to make sure that there's legitimacy to those elections. And given the enormous tragedy that has happened, I think that it is understandable if those elections are delayed slightly. But it's important that this is not used as an excuse to put off, indefinitely, elections. My main concern is making sure that the opposition parties feel comfortable that they have the opportunity to participate in fair and free elections. That also means that we reinstate an independent judiciary in Pakistan, that there is a free press, that the campaigning can proceed. Because our primary interest is making sure that whatever government emerges in Pakistan is viewed as legitimate. The vast majority of the Pakistani people are moderate and believe in rule of law. That's who we want as allies in the fight against Islamic extremism. Source: Meet the Press: 2007 "Meet the Candidates" series (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Meet_the_Press.htm) Dec 30, 2007
Pakistan crisis: secure nukes; continue with elections

Q: What would you do if you were confronting the current crisis in Pakistan?

A: The first thing we want to do is to contact the Pakistani government to get assurances from them that the nuclear stockpiles are secured. The second thing is to make sure that Musharraf is sending a clear message to the family of Bhutto and her supporters that he recognizes this is a tragedy and express sympathies to try to keep tempers cooled in the capital cities and major urban areas. And the third thing that we have to do is to make sure that elections continue. If they're not going to continue as planned on January 8th, then shortly thereafter, but there has to be a clear message from the Musharraf government that in fact this won't be used as an excuse to subvert democracy. Source: CNN Late Edition: 2007 presidential series with Wolf Blitzer (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Late_Edition.htm) Dec 30, 2007
President must abide by international human rights treaties

Q: Under what circumstances, if any, is the president, when operating overseas as commander-in-chief, free to disregard international human rights treaties that the US Senate has ratified?

A: It is illegal and unwise for the President to disregard international human rights treaties that have been ratified by the United States Senate, including and especially the Geneva Conventions. The Commander-in-Chief power does not allow the President to defy those treaties. Source: Boston Globe questionnaire on Executive Power Dec 20, 2007
Obama Doctrine: ideology has overridden facts and reality

Q: How will future historians describe your foreign policy doctrine?

A: The Obama Doctrine is not going to be as doctrinaire as the Bush Doctrine because the world is complicated. Bush's ideology has overridden facts and reality. That means that if there are children in the Middle East who cannot read, that is a potential long-term danger to us. If China is polluting, then eventually that is going to reach our shores. We have to work with them cooperatively to solve their problems as well as ours. Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic debate Dec 13, 2007
China is a competitor but not an enemy

Q: Given China's size, its muscular manufacturing capabilities, its military buildup, at this point--and also including its large trade deficit--at this point, who has more leverage, China or the U.S.?

A: Number one is we've got to get our own fiscal house in order. Number two, when I was visiting Africa, I was told by a group of businessmen that the presence of China is only exceeded by the absence of America in the entire African continent. Number three, we have to be tougher negotiators with China. They are not enemies, but they are competitors of ours. Right now the United States is still the dominant superpower in the world. But the next president can't be thinking about today; he or she also has to be thinking about 10 years from now, 20 years from now, 50 years from now. Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic debate (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Dems_DMR.htm) Dec 13, 2007
Willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Kim Jung Il & Hugo Chavez

Q: In July, you were asked if you were willing to meet separately without pre-condition during your first year with Fidel Castro, Kim Jung Il, Hugo Chavez. You said yes. You stand by that?

A: I do. Now, I did not say that I would be meeting with all of them. I said I'd be willing to. Obviously, there is a difference between pre-conditions and preparation. Pre-conditions, which was what the question was in that debate, means that we won't meet with people unless they've already agreed to the very things that we expect to be meeting with them about. And obviously, when we say to Iran, "We won't meet with you until you've agreed to all the terms that we've laid out," from their perspective that's not a negotiation, that's not a meeting.
Q: You're not afraid of being used in a propaganda way?
A: You know, strong countries and strong presidents speak with their adversaries. I always think back to JFK's saying that we should never negotiate out of fear, but we shouldn't fear to negotiate. Source: Meet the Press: 2007 "Meet the Candidates" series (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Meet_the_Press.htm) Nov 11, 2007
Wrote 2006 law stabilizing Congo with $52M

Obama wrote the law signed in 2006 that provided $52 million in US assistance to help stabilize the Congo, and he worked to approve $20 million for the African Union peacekeeping mission. Obama also worked with Sam Brownback (R-Kans.), writing an op-ed in the Washington Post criticizing the Bush administration's failure to stop genocide in Darfur.
Source: The Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson, p.160 Oct 30, 2007
No Obama Doctrine; just democracy, security, liberty

Obama's failure to condemn all military action has led to criticism from some on the left. One critic noted: "He accepts the Bush Doctrine. He accepts the doctrine of preemptive strikes."

The key part of the Bush Doctrine is the focus on unilateral action and the use of force to spread democracy around the world. And the worst part of the Bush administration is not the Bush Doctrine but Bush's implementation of it.
As Obama famously declared in 2002, he did not oppose all wars, but he did oppose a "dumb war." Isolationism must not be the reaction to a dumb president and a dumb war.
There is no Obama Doctrine because Obama is not a doctrinaire kind of leader who operates according to fixed policies. Instead, Obama believes in a set of principle (democracy, security, liberty) for the world and tries to come up with practical measures for incrementally increasing US security and global freedom. He rejects isolationism and he tries to steer clear of unilateralism. Source: The Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson, p.117-118 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Improbable_Quest.htm) Oct 30, 2007
Invest in our relationship with Mexico

Making sure that we are investing in our relationship with Mexico so that people in Mexico feel as if they can raise a family and have a good life on the other side of the border is going to be critical; making certain that we have strong border security is important; a pathway to citizenship is something that I've been committed to since I came to the US Senate.
Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate on Univision in Spanish Sep 9, 2007
Strengthen NATO to face 21st-century threats

Barack Obama will restore America's leadership abroad, reform and enhance international organizations and strengthen our alliances. He will strengthen NATO to face 21st-century threats, forge a new and lasting framework for collective security in Asia, and work with other countries around the world to combat global climate change.
Source: Campaign website, BarackObama.com, "Resource Flyers" Aug 26, 2007
$50B annually to strengthen weak states at risk of collapse

Barack Obama believes that strengthening weak states at risk of collapse, economic meltdown or public health crises strengthens America's security. Obama will double U.S. spending on foreign aid to $50 billion a year by 2012.

He will help developing countries invest in sustainable democracies and demand more accountability in return. Obama will establish a $2 billion Global Education Fund to eliminate the global education deficit. He will reduce the debt of developing nations and better coordinate trade and development policies.
Obama also will reestablish U.S. moral leadership by respecting civil liberties; ending torture; restoring habeas corpus; making the U.S. electoral processes fair and transparent and fighting corruption at home. Source: Campaign website, BarackObama.com, "Resource Flyers" Aug 26, 2007
No "strategic ambiguity" on foreign policy issues

Q: [to Clinton]: You said Sen. Obama's views on meeting with foreign dictators are "naive and irresponsible."

CLINTON: A president should not telegraph to our adversaries that you're willing to meet with them without preconditions.
OBAMA: Strong countries and strong presidents meet and talk with our adversaries. We shouldn't be afraid to do so. We've tried the other way. It didn't work.
Q: [to Dodd]: You've called Sen. Obama's views "confusing & confused, dangerous & irresponsible."
DODD: I disagreed with Obama on a hypothetical solution that raised serious issues within Pakistan. I thought it was irresponsible to engage in that kind of a suggestion. That's dangerous.
OBAMA: We should describe for the American people in presidential debates & in the presidency, what our foreign policy is and what we're going to do. We shouldn't have strategic ambiguity with the American people when it comes to describing how we're going to deal with our most serious national security issues. Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate on "This Week" (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Stephanopoulos_Dems.htm) Aug 19, 2007
At college, protested for divestment from South Africa

Obama became involved in a popular campus movement of the day--urging divestment of university money from South Africa because of its policy of apartheid. It was through this activism that Obama first learned the power of words--and his own power with the spoken word. "I noticed that people had begun to listen to my opinions," he wrote. "It was a discovery that made me hungry for words. Not words to hide behind but words that could carry a message, support an idea." His first public-speaking moment occurred when he opened a staged rally in which he was to begin talking to an afternoon crowd only to be yanked from the stage in a physical metaphor for the voiceless black South Africans.
Source: From Promise to Power, by David Mendell, p. 57 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Promise_to_Power.htm) Aug 14, 2007
Increased aid to Republic of Congo

[Obama had planned his trip to Africa since 2005]. Conversations I had with Obama along the 2004 campaign trail made it abundantly clear that the atrocities of Darfur's civil war were a deep source of concern for him. Also, as a senator, Obama was successful in passing an amendment to a 2006 Iraqi spending bill that increased aid to the Republic of Congo.

The 15-day trip to Africa was organized to include visits to 5 countries, but the bulk of the journey was to be spent in South Africa and then Kenya. After Kenya, Obama had planned brief visits to the Congo, Djibouti and the Darfur region of Sudan, site of the bloody conflict that was killing thousands of Sudanese a month and displacing millions more.
But Kenya, the homeland of his father, was the physical and emotional centerpiece of the trip. Kenyans had adopted him as one of their own, and had made him a living folk hero in the East African nation. Source: From Promise to Power, by David Mendell, p.322-323 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Promise_to_Power.htm) Aug 14, 2007
Visited largest slum in Africa, to publicize its plight

[Obama's African trip] would take us to one of the bleakest places on the planet. Kibera is recognized as the largest single slum in all of Africa, and thus in all the world. Over 700,000 impoverished souls are packed into a tract of urban land that is just 2.5 square kilometers. Situated in the southwest quadrant of Nairobi, Kibera was first settled extensively in the 1920s by an ethnic group called Nubians.

Many residents lacked basic services, such as clean running water and plumbing. Sewage and garbage were dumped into the open; dwellings were made of canvas and tin with corrugated roofing; and some children appeared less than fully nourished.
The inhabitants, however, were positively gleeful at Obama's visit. Obama grabbed a bullhorn. "Everybody in Kibera needs the same opportunities to go to school, to start businesses, to have enough to eat, to have decent clothes," he told the residents, who madly cheered his words. "I wants to make sure everybody in America knows Kibera. Source: From Promise to Power, by David Mendell, p.367-369 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Promise_to_Power.htm) Aug 14, 2007
My critics engineered our biggest foreign policy disaster

Q: [to Dodd]: You said that Sen. Obama's "assertions about foreign and military affairs have been confusing and confused." You added, "He should not be making unwise categorical statements about military options." What in your opinion has been confusing?

DODD: Words mean things. When you raise issues about Pakistan, understand that while General Musharraf is no Thomas Jefferson, but he may be the only thing that stands between us and having an Islamic fundamentalist state in that country.
OBAMA: I find it amusing that those who helped to authorize & engineer the biggest foreign policy disaster in our generation are now criticizing me for making sure that we are on the right battlefield and not the wrong battlefield in the war against terrorism. Sen. Dodd obviously didn't read my speech. Because what I said was that we have to refocus, get out of Iraq, make certain that we are helping Pakistan deal with the problem of al Qaeda in the hills between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Source: 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_AFL-CIO_Dems.htm) Aug 8, 2007
China is a competitor, but not an enemy

Q: Is China an ally or adversary?

A: China is a competitor, but they don't have an enemy, as long as we understand that they are going to be negotiating aggressively for their advantage, and we've got to make sure that we're looking after American workers. That means enforcing our trade agreements; it means that if they're manipulating their currency, that we take them to the mat on the that issue; it means that we are also not running up deficits and asking China to bail us out. Source: 2007 AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum Aug 8, 2007
Meet with enemy leaders; it's a disgrace that we have not

Q: Would you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea?

OBAMA: I would. And the reason is this: the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them--which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration--is ridiculous. Ronald Reagan constantly spoke to Soviet Union at a time when he called them an evil empire. He understood that we may not trust them and they may pose an extraordinary danger to this country, but we had the obligation to find areas where we can potentially move forward. And I think that it is a disgrace that we have not spoken to them.
CLINTON: I will not promise to meet with the leaders of these countries during my first year. I don't want to be used for propaganda purposes. I don't want to make a situation even worse. But I certainly agree that we need to get back to diplomacy. Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_YouTube_Dems.htm) Jul 23, 2007
No-fly zone in Darfur; but pay attention more in Africa

Q: Darfur is the second time that our nation has had a chance to do something about genocide in Africa. The first came in Rwanda in 1994, when we did nothing.

RICHARDSON: What I would like to do is, one, a no-fly zone. Get economic sanctions backed by the Europeans; we should use the levers on China. We need to find ways to stop the massive rapes.
OBAMA: The no-fly zone is important. Having the protective force is critical. But we have to look at Africa not just after a crisis happens; what are we doing with respect to trade opportunities with Africa? What are we doing in terms of investment in Africa? What are we doing to pay attention to Africa consistently with respect to our foreign policy? That has been what's missing in the White House. Our long-term security is going to depend on whether we're giving children in Sudan and Zimbabwe and in Kenya the same opportunities so that they have a stake in order as opposed to violence and chaos. Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Dems_Howard_U.htm) Jun 28, 2007
Europe & Japan are allies, but China is a competitor

Q: What are America's three most important allies around the world?

A: The European Union as a whole has been a long-standing ally of ours, and through NATO we've been able to make some significant progress. We also have to look east, because increasingly, the center of gravity in this world is shifting to Asia. Japan has been an outstanding ally of ours for many years. But, obviously, China is rising and it's not going away. They're neither our enemy nor our friend. They're competitors. Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
Palestinian people suffer-but from not recognizing Israel

Q: You said recently, "No one is suffering more than the Palestinian people." Do you stand by that remark?

A: Well, keep in mind what the remark actually, if you had the whole thing, said. And what I said is nobody has suffered more than the Palestinian people from the failure of the Palestinian leadership to recognize Israel, to renounce violence, and to get serious about negotiating peace and security for the region. Israel is the linchpin of much of our efforts in the Middle East. Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007
FactCheck: Palestinian suffering from stalled peace effort

Obama defended his remark that "nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people," a statement attacked by some pro-Israel activists. His version differed in tone if not in substance from the way it was originally reported, however. Obama claimed in the debate that he meant "the Palestinian people from the failure of the Palestinian leadership to recognize , to renounce violence, and to get serious about negotiating peace and security for the region." That's somewhat different from the way Obama was quoted March 12. As reported, Obama attributed Palestinian suffering to "the stalled peace efforts with Israel" and not so narrowly to failures by Palestinian leadership only. However, the Des Moines Register also reported that Obama praised Israel as an important US ally and urged the Palestinian government to recognize Israel and renounce terrorism. So far as we can tell, the Register had the only reporter present at the event and no full transcript exists.
Source: FactCheck.org on 2007 South Carolina Democratic debate (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Dem_primary_SC.htm) Apr 26, 2007
Protested South African apartheid while at college

[While at college in the '80s] Obama became involved in the movement to demand that colleges divest themselves of financial interests that helped support apartheid in South Africa.

At a rally, Obama rose to speak in public for the first time: "There is a struggle going on. It is happening an ocean away. But it is a struggle that touches each and every one of us... a struggle that demands we choose sides. Not between black & white. Not between rich & poor. No, it is a choice between dignity & servitude. Between fairness & injustice. Between commitment & indifference. A choice between right & wrong."
By prearrangement, he was dragged off by students dressed as soldiers to dramatize the lack of rights in South Africa. He did not want to give up the microphone. The audience was "clapping and cheering, and I knew that I had them, that the connection had been made. I really wanted to stay up there, to hear my voice bouncing off the crowd and returning back to me in applause. I had so much left to say. Source: Hopes and Dreams, by Steve Dougherty, p. 58-59 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Hopes_and_Dreams.htm) Feb 15, 2007
Focus on corruption to improve African development

During Obama's trip to Kenya, at an Aug. 28 2006 speech in Nairobi, he stung some Kenyan officials enough that they sent Obama a scathing official complaint, because Obama pointedly encouraged Kenyan officials to do more to fight corruption:
Like many nations across this continent, where Kenya is failing is in its ability to create a government that is transparent and accountable One that serves its people and is free from corruption. The reason I speak of the freedom you fought so hard to win is because today that freedom is in jeopardy. It is being threatened by corruption.
Corruption is not a new problem. It's not just a Kenyan problem, or an African problem. It's a human problem, and it has existed in some form in almost every society. My own city of Chicago has been the home of some of the most corrupt local politics in American history. But while corruption is a problem we all share, here in Kenya it is a crisis that's robbing an honest people of opportunities.
Source: Should Barack Obama Be President?, by Fred Zimmerman, p.29 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Should_Barack.htm) Oct 17, 2006
Supports Israel's self-defense; but distrusted by Israelis

The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" convened a panel of experts to assess and track 2008 presidential candidates and evaluate "whom they consider best for Israel." In Sept. 2006, Obama came in dead last, 18th in a field of 18. However, Haaretz also notes that during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, Obama was careful to defend Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah's attacks.

Pro: Obama will be uniquely positioned to resolve the Israeli-Arab conflict.
A liberal Democrat who is not trusted by Israeli experts is exactly what the US and the world needs. Only by treating Palestinian rights with dignity can the Middle East problem be resolved.
Con: President Obama will be widely detested in the Muslim world.
If Obama comes to power, it will be on the basis of blending authentic Christian religiosity with an inspiring message of tolerance and diversity. Unfortunately, this message runs exactly opposite to the core values of fundamentalist Islam. Source: Should Barack Obama Be President?, by Fred Zimmerman, p.64-5 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Should_Barack.htm) Oct 17, 2006
Visited Africa in 2006; encouraged HIV testing & research

Pro's and Con's: [I]Obama visited African in 2006 and went to South Africa, Chad, and Kenya.




Pro: He is a mensch. Here on a few things he did on his summer vacation:

Attended a ceremony for the 200 people who died in the 1988 bombing of the US Embassy.
Encouraged the South African government to respond more effectively to HIV.
Urged Kenya's government to end corruption.
Along with his wife, took a public HIV test.
Visited a malaria research institute.
Visited a program helping children orphaned by AIDS.
Visited his grandmother.
Con: Who cares? It is Africa. If we are going to go with a President from a non-European background, let's go with one whose relatives are from a country whose friendship will help us, like China or India.
Pro: Kenyans love him.
Con: Who cares? It's Kenya. Source: Should Barack Obama be President, by F. Zimmerman, p. 27-28 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Should_Barack.htm) Oct 17, 2006
Never has US had so much power & so little influence to lead

American leadership has been a mighty force for human progress. The steady march of democracy and free enterprise across the globe speaks to the steadfastness of our leadership and the power of our ideals. Today we face new and frightful challenges, especially the threat of terror. Never has it been more important for American to lead wisely, to shrewdly project power and wield influence on behalf of liberty and security. Unfortunately, I fear our once great influence is waning, a victim of misguided policies and impetuous actions. Never has the US possessed so much power, and never has the US had so little influence to lead.

We still have the chance to correct recent missteps that have put our principles and legacy in question. Indeed, it is imperative to our nation's standing and security to do so. It will take a change of attitude and direction in our national leadership to restore the values and judgment that made and kept our nation the world's beacon of hope and freedom. Source: Speech to Chicago Council on Foreign Relations Jul 12, 2004
US policy should promote democracy and human rights

In every region of the globe, our foreign policy should promote traditional American ideals: democracy and human rights; free and fair trade and cultural exchanges; and development of institutions that ensure broad middle classes within market economies.

It is our commonality of interests in the world that can ultimately restore our influence and win back the hearts and minds necessary to defeat terrorism and project American values around the globe. Human aspirations are universal-for dignity, for freedom, for the opportunity to improve the lives of our families.
Let us recognize what unites us across borders and build on the strength of this blessed country. Let us embrace our history and our legacy. Let us not only define our values in words and carry them out in deeds. Source: Speech to Chicago Council on Foreign Relations Jul 12, 2004
Sponsored aid bill to avert humanitarian crisis in Congo.

Here are some of the candidate’s voting records where the main topic of the legislation was foreign policy...

Obama sponsored increasing aid to avert humanitarian crisis in Congo




OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY:

A bill to promote relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Obligates a specified minimum amount under the Foreign Assistance Act, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act, and the Arms Export Control Act for bilateral assistance programs in the DRC.
States that the US should work with other donor nations to increase international contributions to the DRC.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the DRC government should exercise control over its Armed Forces, stop the mass rapes by its armed forces, and hold those responsible accountable before an appropriate tribunal; and
Expresses the sense of Congress that the US should withhold assistance if the government of the DRC is not making sufficient progress towards accomplishing the policy objectives.
SPONSOR'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Sen. OBAMA: There is a country embroiled in conflict that has not yet received the high-level attention or resources it needs. It's the Democratic Republic of Congo, and right now it is in the midst of a humanitarian catastrophe.
31,000 people are dying in the Congo each month and 3.8 million people have died in the previous 6 years. The country, which is the size of Western Europe, lies at the geographic heart of Africa and borders every major region across the continent. If left untended, Congo's tragedy will continue to infect Africa.
I believe that the United States can make a profound difference in this crisis. According to international aid agencies, there are innumerable cost-effective interventions that could be quickly undertaken--such as the provision of basic medical care, immunization and clean water--that could save thousands of lives. On the political front, sustained U.S. leadership could fill a perilous vacuum.
EXCERPTS OF BILL:
LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME:Became Public Law No. 109-456 Source: Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act (S.2125) 05-S2125 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_05-S2125.htm) on Dec 16, 2005
Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations.

Obama co-sponsored urging Venezuela to re-open dissident radio & TV stations


WHEREAS for several months, the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, has been announcing over various media that he will not renew the current concession of the television station "Radio Caracas Televisión", also known as RCTV, which is set to expire on May 27, 2007, because of its adherence to an editorial stance different from his way of thinking;
WHEREAS President Chavez justifies this measure based on the alleged role RCTV played in the unsuccessful unconstitutional attempts in April 2002 to unseat President Chavez, under circumstances where there exists no filed complaint or judicial sentence that would sustain such a charge under Venezuelan law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate--
(1) expresses its profound concern about the transgression against freedom of thought and expression that is being committed in Venezuela by the refusal of the President Hugo Chavez to renew the concession of RCTV
(2) strongly encourages the Organization of American States to respond appropriately, with full consideration of the necessary institutional instruments, to such transgression.
Source: Radio Caracas Resolution (S.RES.211) 2007-SR211 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_2007-SR211.htm) on May 21, 2007

[EMUJeff]

Representative Cynthia McKinney
Close the School of the Americas

Q: Briefly state your position on the following issue: Foreign Policy and Peace in general.

A: In 1999, I voted yes on a measure to prohibit an invasion of Kosovo. I consistently supported (with my votes and my co-sponsorship) the closing of the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning Georgia. Source: Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Feb 3, 2008
Targeted by AIPAC for opposing Israeli occupation

Q: Briefly state your position on the following issue: Middle East Policy, including Israel.

A: I was targeted by AIPAC and others for my opposition to the Israeli occupation of and genocidal policies toward Palestine. Source: Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Feb 3, 2008
Make US a partner for peace in global community

Reconstruction Party Manifesto point #10. We Want Peace Now!
We want to live in a peaceful world where the global community considers the US a key partner for peace and development. But, the two parties of corporate rule are not offering this vision of peace and partnership. We believe that an explicit rejection of the policies of political and economic destabilization that we have witnessed played out on the African Continent, in Latin America, and the Muslim world.
Source: Manifesto for a Reconstruction Party Jan 26, 2008
Listen to advocates in Israel & Palestine, not to AIPAC

Q: Do you advocate a 2-state solution for Israel & Palestine?

A: The US ought to be an honest broker. Now we are definitely NOT an honest broker in the affairs of the Middle East. We've got to stop our weapons transfers to countries over there--all of them. We gave "bunker-buster" missiles to Israel--this is inflammatory. With regards to 1-state or 2-state, I would listen to the voices that are there. I would strip away the influence of AIPAC and listen to the human rights advocates who are there. Source: 2008 Green Presidential Debate moderated by Cindy Sheehan Jan 13, 2008
Pressure government to refrain from interference in Africa

Africa is now a devastated continent. Millions of people are dying in the killing fields, or in villages and city streets from HIV/AIDS and pandemics thought to be eradicated long ago. Africa is on the edge of an abyss.

Africans must withstand the outsider meddling, and we have a role to play there to pressure our government to refrain from its interference. Africom is the latest example of such interference that must be resisted at all costs. Source: Interview with "Reconstruction Renaissance" Jan 8, 2008
No military assistance to Nigeria


McKinney introduced the following bills in the 109th Congress:
HCR.405: Opposing any agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of Nigeria to deploy United States Armed Forces to Nigeria
HCR.274: Reaffirming the continued importance & applicability of the Posse Comitatus Act: Reaffirms prohibiting the use of the Army or Air Force as a posse comitatus to execute the laws except under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress.
Source: Campaign website, www.cynthiaforcongress.com, "Legislation" Nov 1, 2006 Here are some of the candidate’s voting records where the main topic of the legislation was foreign policy...


Voted NO on deterring foreign arms transfers to China.

To authorize measures to deter arms transfers by foreign countries to the People's Republic of China, A YES vote would grant the President the ability to place sanctions on any individual or country that violates the arms embargo, including:

Denial of participation in cooperative research and development
Prohibition of ownership and control of any business registered as a manufacturer or exporter of defense articles or services
Removal of all licenses relative to dual-use goods or technology
Prohibition of participation of any foreign military sales
Reference: East Asia Security Act; Bill HR 3100 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.03100:) ; vote number 2005-374 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2005-374.htm) on Jul 14, 2005
Voted NO on reforming the UN by restricting US funding.

To reform the United Nations, by limiting the US contribution to the UN by up to one-half by the year 2007, if the following reforms are not made:

Requires the creation of an Independent Oversight Board with the authority to evaluate all operations of the UN
Instructs the UN to implement procedures to protect whistle-blowers, individuals who reveal wrongdoings within an organization to the public or to those in positions of authority
Obliges the creation of a uniform code of conduct for all UN officials
Requires the shifting of the funding mechanisms of certain organizational programs from the regular assessed UN budget to voluntarily funded programs
Compels the US President to influence the Secretary General of the UN to waive diplomatic immunity for UN officials under investigation or charged with serious criminal offences
Creates a certification of UN cooperation to provide documentary evidence to member states investigating the Oil-for-Food program
Reference: United Nations Reform Act; Bill HR 2745 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.02745:) ; vote number 2005-282 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2005-282.htm) on Jun 17, 2005
Voted YES on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released.

Stop enforcing travel restrictions on US citizens to Cuba, only after the president has certified that Cuba has released all political prisoners, and extradited all individuals sought by the US on charges of air piracy, drug trafficking and murder.
Bill HR 2590 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2590:) ; vote number 2001-270 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2001-270.htm) on Jul 25, 2001
Voted NO on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored.

Vote to adopt an amendment that would require that the United States be restored to its seat on the UN Human Rights Commission before the payment of $244 million in funds already designated to pay UN back dues.
Reference: Amendment sponsored by Hyde, R-IL; Bill HR 1646 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R. 1646:) ; vote number 2001-107 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2001-107.htm) on May 10, 2001
Voted YES on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction.

Vote on an amendment that would transfer $156 million from foreign military financing to the Highly Indebted Poor Countries [HIPC] Trust Fund. The HIPC Trust fund is designed to help debtor countries pay off the money they owe to multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Reference: Amendment sponsored by Waters, D-CA; Bill HR 4811 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.4811:) ; vote number 2000-397 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2000-397.htm) on Jul 13, 2000
Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China.

Vote to give permanent Normal Trade Relations [NTR] status to China. Currently, NTR status for China is debated and voted on annually. The measure contains provisions designed to protect the United States from Chinese import surges and the administration would have to report annually on China's compliance with the trade agreement. The bill establishes a commission to monitor human rights, labor standards and religious freedom in China.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Archer, R-TX; Bill HR 4444 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.4444:) ; vote number 2000-228 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2000-228.htm) on May 24, 2000
Voted YES on $15.2 billion for foreign operations.

Vote on a bill to provide $15.2 billion for foreign operations in FY 2000. Among other provisions, the bill would provide $1.82 billion over three years for implementation of the Wye River peace accord in the Middle East. In addition, the measure would provide $123 million in multilateral debt relief and would contribute $25 million to the United National Population Fund.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Callahan, R-AL; Bill HR 3196 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.3196:) ; vote number 1999-572 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1999-572.htm) on Nov 5, 1999
Allow Americans to travel to Cuba.

McKinney co-sponsored allowing Americans to travel to Cuba

OnTheIssues.org explanation: The US government has forbidden US citizens from traveling to Cuba since the 1960s. Try booking a trip from Mexico City to Havana on travelocity.com (or any travel website) and it says, "Due to a U.S. government travel restriction we are unable to book this reservation." You can, however, purchase that same ticket while in Mexico City, or anywhere else in the world. Sanford's bill attempts to undo this long-standing situation.
OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY:

Prohibits the President from regulating or prohibiting, directly or indirectly, travel to or from Cuba by US citizens, or any of specified transactions incident to such travel.
Declares that this prohibition does not authorize the importation into the US of any goods for personal consumption acquired in Cuba; &
The restrictions on the President's authority do not apply in a case in which the US is at war with Cuba.

EXCERPTS FROM BILL:

FREEDOM OF TRAVEL FOR U.S. CITIZENS AND LEGAL RESIDENTS: The President shall not regulate or prohibit travel to or from Cuba by US citizens or legal residents.
TRANSACTIONS INCIDENT TO TRAVEL: The President shall not regulate any transactions ordinarily incident to travel to or from Cuba, including the importation into Cuba or the US of accompanied baggage; the payment of living expenses; or facilitation of travel to, from, or within Cuba.
EXCEPTION: The restrictions on authority contained in section 1 do not apply in a case in which the US is at war with Cuba, armed hostilities between the two countries are in progress, or there is imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of United States travelers.

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME: Referred to the House Committee on the Western Hemisphere; never called for a House vote. Source: Cuba travel bill (H.R.4471) 00-HR4471 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_00-HR4471.htm) on May 16, 2000
Supported sending Colin Powell to Durban racism conference.

McKinney signed the CBC statement on the UN World Conference Against Racism

The Congressional Black Caucus is exasperated with the stance of the administration and the contempt implied by its lack of commitment to the U.N. World Conference Against Racism. We believe that there is no legitimate way to pretend that racism was not, and is not, real. The refusal of the government to send the highest-ranking African-American in its history to engage the world in a discussion of racism is disrespectful of the sacrifices of all that have suffered to get him where he is.
Nevertheless, we will be at the table to engage in a substantive and meaningful dialogue. This is not the first time that the Congressional Black Caucus has had to fight against racism without the backing of the administration. Partly because of our insistence on justice, we are in a free South Africa to talk about how to free the rest of the world.
We are committed to discussing how racism affects everyone, in every part of the world, in every part of our lives. We must dialogue with one another about health care, and technology, and the status of our youth. We need to talk openly and honestly about cultural and religious differences, and how we make the world one where our shared histories do not have to create conflict in our present. We must admit the injustices surrounding discriminatory sentencing, targeted intelligence operations, hate crimes and church burnings. We must have a frank discussion about where we are and where we need to go. There are injustices taking place today that must be corrected so that we will have a foundation on which to build the society of tomorrow. America does not have the right to abstain from its place at the table.
The Congressional Black Caucus brings to South Africa the voices of the multitude of Americans who support justice and truth, and those voices will not be muzzled. We will engage in this discussion and seize this historic opportunity. Source: CBC Statement on the UN World Conference Against Racism 01-CBC2 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_01-CBC2.htm) on Aug 31, 2001
Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine.

McKinney co-sponsored the Hunger to Harvest bill:

In an effort to reduce hunger in sub-Saharan Africa, urges the President to:
set forth five-year and ten-year strategies to achieve a reversal of current levels of hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, including a commitment to contribute an appropriate U.S. share of increased bilateral and multilateral poverty-focused resources for sub-Saharan Africa, with an emphasis on health (including HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment), education, agriculture, private sector and free market development, democratic institutions and the rule of law, micro-finance development, and debt relief; and
work with the heads of other donor countries and sub-Saharan African countries and with private and voluntary organizations and other civic organizations to implement such strategies; and calls for
Congress to undertake a multi-year commitment to provide the resources to implement those strategies; and
the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to report on such implementation.
Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HCR102 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_01-HCR102.htm) on Apr 4, 2001

[EMUJeff]

Ralph Nader (some quotes from when he was with the Green Party)

US should be the world's humanitarian superpower

Q: Briefly describe Nader's position on Foreign Policy and Peace in general.

A: Ralph Nader has summed up his foreign policy by saying "the United States should be the world's humanitarian superpower. Our foreign policy must redefine the elements of global security, peace, arms control, an end to nuclear weapons and expand the many assets of our country to launch, with other nations, major initiatives against global infections diseases." Source: Green Party 2008 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire Feb 3, 2008
Corporate activity destroys the third world

Absent robust democracy in these countries , the creative destruction by these corporations [multinational banks and other finance companies] is usually a one-way street, contrary to Joseph Schumpeter's thesis that such displacement is a mode of progress for developed nations.
Source: The Good Fight, by Ralph Nader, p. 13 Jul 6, 2004
Redefine national purpose to solve Third World scourges

Do we wish to expand the definition of national security and national purpose to show how, with reasonable amounts of knowledge, resources and goodwill, we can rapidly begin to defeat the global scourges of poverty, contagious disease, illiteracy, lack of shelter, environmental devastation, and to recognize the genius of Third World peoples to help it flower?
Source: Nomination Acceptance Speech Jun 25, 2000
Support foreign peasants instead of foreign dictators

Isn’t it about time that the US government stop supporting dictatorships and avaricious oligarchies with our tax monies, munitions and diplomacy? Isn’t it time that our government takes a cue from numerous studies and model projects, and advances foreign policies that support the peasants and the workers for a change.
Source: Nomination Acceptance Speech Jun 25, 2000
Support social and economic justice across the globe


[I]Nader supports the Green Party Platform, which states: Greens support sustainable development and social and economic justice across the globe.
The Green Party calls for military spending to be cut by 50% over the next 10 years, with increases in spending for social programs.
It is our belief that the massive debt owed by the Third World is causing immense misery and environmental destruction. FOREIGN AID must be addressed in the context of retiring this debt and not forcing structural adjustments via the IMF and WORLD BANK on the economies of the underdeveloped world.
We call for a more enlightened policy on the part of INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES and their financial arms which takes into account the impact of international debt management. The US should rein in the IMF and World Bank, and demand that loans be conditional on human rights and labor rights records, social and environmental impact statements, and the providing of basic health and education.
Source: Green Party Platform, as ratified at the National Convention Jun 25, 2000
Assist Russia & Israel in moving towards better governments


Nader supports the Green Party Platform, which states:
We encourage policies that work to assist the FORMER SOVIET UNION in its move toward a government based on rights and a more open political and economic system.
We support peace in the MIDDLE EAST based on respect for civil liberties and human rights.
We support the end of the economic blockade of Cuba. Unjust economic coercion by one state against another constitutes a violation of human rights.
We believe in the core RIGHT of SELF-DETERMINATION; of the special character and needs of INDIGENOUS PEOPLES; of the essential importance of balancing economic development in the THIRD WORLD with a respect for the “old ways.”
We endorse an EXPANDED PEACE CORPS.
We encourage the important work of NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs), much in evidence at the United Nations “Earth Summit” in 1992 and in efforts to democratize the World Trade Organization in 2000.
Source: Green Party Platform, as ratified at the National Convention Jun 25, 2000
Selling arms is not a good way to conduct foreign affairs

Q: US corporations are dying, literally, to get into Cuba and Iran. Ideology is keeping them out.
A: How are they dying to get in? They were dying to get in Iraq and sell Saddam Hussein military weapons before 1990. They want to get into other countries to sell arms. I don’t think that’s a good way to get in.
Source: Alternative Radio interview with David Barsamian Feb 23, 2000
Cuba: corporate sales of junk undermines their system

Q: US corporations are dying to get into Cuba. What are your views on Cuba?
A: What do they want to sell Cuba?
Q: Casinos and hotels.
A: Of course. Casinos, hotels and junk products and junk food and try to undermine their organic agriculture expansion and their more self-reliant health system and get people into dependency through all kinds of pharmaceuticals. They’re trying to export their model of economic expansion that is destructive of the environment and of self-reliant communities.
Source: Alternative Radio interview with David Barsamian Feb 23, 2000
Support human rights as cornerstone of US foreign policy


Nader supports the Green Party Platform, which states:
The Green Party asserts that security and liberty prosper together. HUMAN RIGHTS are the foundation of EMERGING DEMOCRACIES and international relations. We argue that the support of democracy, human rights and respect for international law should be the cornerstone of American foreign policy.
We endorse ending support for repressive regimes. We support the right of habeas corpus being available to any person anywhere whose imprisonment violates fundamental norms of international law.
INTERNATIONAL LAW and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS are inseparable. We do not support a world-view that relies on accommodation of tyranny or repressive regimes.
We endorse human rights policies in regard to relations with CHINA, SOUTH AFRICA and other nations with a history of rights violations.
As stated in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the US Green Party calls for the global adoption of basic human rights.
Source: Green Party Platform, as ratified at the National Convention Jun 25, 2000 This candidate has no voting record in the House or Senate.

[EMUJeff]

Representative Bob Barr

Here are some of the candidate’s voting records where the main topic of the legislation was foreign policy...

Voted NO on keeping Cuba travel ban until political prisoners released.

Stop enforcing travel restrictions on US citizens to Cuba, only after the president has certified that Cuba has released all political prisoners, and extradited all individuals sought by the US on charges of air piracy, drug trafficking and murder.
Bill HR 2590 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2590:) ; vote number 2001-270 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2001-270.htm) on Jul 25, 2001
Voted YES on withholding $244M in UN Back Payments until US seat restored.

Vote to adopt an amendment that would require that the United States be restored to its seat on the UN Human Rights Commission before the payment of $244 million in funds already designated to pay UN back dues.
Reference: Amendment sponsored by Hyde, R-IL; Bill HR 1646 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R. 1646:) ; vote number 2001-107 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2001-107.htm) on May 10, 2001
Voted NO on $156M to IMF for 3rd-world debt reduction.

Vote on an amendment that would transfer $156 million from foreign military financing to the Highly Indebted Poor Countries [HIPC] Trust Fund. The HIPC Trust fund is designed to help debtor countries pay off the money they owe to multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Reference: Amendment sponsored by Waters, D-CA; Bill HR 4811 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.4811:) ; vote number 2000-397 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2000-397.htm) on Jul 13, 2000
Voted NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China.

Vote to give permanent Normal Trade Relations [NTR] status to China. Currently, NTR status for China is debated and voted on annually. The measure contains provisions designed to protect the United States from Chinese import surges and the administration would have to report annually on China's compliance with the trade agreement. The bill establishes a commission to monitor human rights, labor standards and religious freedom in China.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Archer, R-TX; Bill HR 4444 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.4444:) ; vote number 2000-228 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2000-228.htm) on May 24, 2000
Voted NO on $15.2 billion for foreign operations.

Vote on a bill to provide $15.2 billion for foreign operations in FY 2000. Among other provisions, the bill would provide $1.82 billion over three years for implementation of the Wye River peace accord in the Middle East. In addition, the measure would provide $123 million in multilateral debt relief and would contribute $25 million to the United National Population Fund.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Callahan, R-AL; Bill HR 3196 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.3196:) ; vote number 1999-572 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1999-572.htm) on Nov 5, 1999