Gilmore said he would support pursuing the war in Iraq to completion. Warner said he would not set a timeline for troops to come home from Iraq. But Gilmore accused Warner of changing his stance from last year, when he said troops should start to leave i
January 2009. Gilmore said the troops should stay as long as needed. “Any kind of timetable is not responsible,” he said. “This is not the way to be conducting foreign policy in Iraq.”
Source: 2008 VA Senate debate reported in Washington Post
Sep 19, 2008
Withdraw from Iraq but no arbitrary timeline
The two men differed on foreign policy: Warner said he favors the withdrawal of troops from Iraq but not on an “arbitrary timeline.” He said he has not completely agreed with either Obama or
McCain on the issue, but clarified that he previously stated troop withdrawal should begin in January. Gilmore said there should be no timeline for troop withdrawal.
Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate in The Washington Times
Sep 19, 2008
Redeploy troops to Afghanistan; focus on Pakistan & Iran
Warner said the country is facing the need to redeploy troops to Afghanistan. He said Pakistan, along with Iran, is one of the most dangerous countries in the world because of its “potential threat.”
He softened the statement after the debate and said Pakistan is “a potential flashpoint” in world affairs.
Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate in The Washington Times
Sep 19, 2008
Sensible timeline to bring troops home from Iraq
Governor Warner believes that we need to work with our military leaders to develop a sensible timeline to start to bring our brave troops home from Iraq, so that we can put real pressure on the
Iraqis to step-up and take more responsibility for their country. We need to properly support our troops by providing the money and resources to care for our wounded veterans when they come home.
On Hezbollah soldier abductions: “Stands with Israel”
The violence between Israel and Lebanon topped the agenda of US and world leaders gathered in St. Petersburg, Russia, for the G8 summit. Reactions within the US political system were largely supportive of Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
Former Virginia governor Mark Warner, a possible Democratic Party candidate for the presidency in 2008, said he “stands with Israel” in calling for the immediate release of the soldiers.
Source: 2008 Speculation by Nathan Gutman in Jerusalem Post
Jul 16, 2006
Supports deployment of US troops to the former Yugoslavia
Do you support the deployment of US troops to the former Yugoslavia? YES
Should the US have diplomatic relations with the government of Cuba? NO
Should the US recognize and extend full diplomatic relations to Taiwan? NO
Should the US continue funding for Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty? YES
Should the US continue funding for Radio Marti and TV Marti? YES
Should the US continue funding for Radio Free Asia? YES
Source: 1996 Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 1996
Sanctions on Iran to end nuclear program.
Warner signed Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act
Expresses the sense of Congress that:
diplomatic efforts to address Iran's illicit nuclear efforts, unconventional and ballistic missile development programs, and support for international terrorism are more likely to be effective if the President is empowered with explicit authority to impose additional sanctions on the government of Iran;
US concerns regarding Iran are strictly the result of that government's actions; and
the people of the United States have feelings of friendship for the people of Iran and regret that developments in recent decades have created impediments to that friendship.
States that it should be US policy to:
support international diplomatic efforts to end Iran's uranium enrichment program and its nuclear weapons program;
encourage foreign governments to direct state-owned and private entities to cease all investment in, and support of, Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran;
impose sanctions
on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian financial institution engaged in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups; and
work with allies to protect the international financial system from deceptive and illicit practices by Iranian financial institutions involved in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups.
Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to direct the President to impose sanctions if a person has made an investment of $20 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $5 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period) that directly and significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. (Under current law the sanction thresholds are $40 million, $10 million, and $40 million, respectively.)
