More headlines: George W. Bush on Foreign Policy
(Following are older quotations. Click here for main quotations.)
America must keep its word
In Afghanistan, terrorists have done everything they can to intimidate people yet more than 10 million citizens have registered to vote in the October presidential election a resounding endorsement of democracy. Despite ongoing acts of violence,
Iraq now has a strong Prime Minister, a national council, and national elections are scheduled for January. Our Nation is standing with the people of Afghanistan and Iraq, because when America gives its word, America must keep its word.
Source: 2004 Republican Convention Acceptance Speech
Sep 2, 2004
Bush says get out of Haiti; we’re already out
Bush said we should pull our troops out of Haiti, but there are not a lot of troops in Haiti--a scant 34 soldiers by the Pentagon’s last count. He called Nigeria an important “continent.” And he may have created a minor international incident by
accusing former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin of pocketing IMF loans, without any solid evidence. Gore let it go, but Chernomyrdin didn’t. He warned that “Mr. Bush Jr. should be getting ready for a trial.”
Source: Time, p. 62, “Double Standard” at Wake Forest debate
Oct 19, 2000
Calls on Arafat to pull back and make peace with Israel
Q: What is the U.S. role in the Mideast conflict?BUSH: I think during the campaign, particularly now during this difficult period, we ought to be speaking with one voice. I appreciate the way the administration has worked hard to calm the tensions.
I call on Chairman Arafat to have his people pull back to make the peace. I think credibility is going to be very important in the Middle East. I want everybody to know, Israel’s going to be our friend. I’m going to stand by Israel. Credibility is formed
by being strong with your friends and resolute in your determination. It’s one of the reasons why I think it’s important for this nation to develop an anti-ballistic missile system that we can share with our allies in the Middle East, if need
be, to keep the peace. To be able to say to the Saddam Husseins of the world or the Iranians, don’t dare threaten our friends. It’s also important to keep strong ties in the Middle East because of the energy crisis we’re in.
Source: Presidential Debate at Wake Forest University
Oct 11, 2000
Rwandan genocide: Training troops OK; intervening not OK
Q: What about Rwanda, where 600,000 people died in 1994. Was that a mistake not to intervene?BUSH: I think the administration did the right thing in that case. I do. It was a horrible situation. No one liked to see it on our TV screens,
but it’s a case where we need to make sure we’ve got an early warning system in places where there could be a ethnic cleansing and genocide the way we saw it there in Rwanda. And that’s a case were we need to use our
influence to have countries in Africa come together and help deal with the situation. The administration made the right decision on training Nigerian troops for situations just such as this in Rwanda.
And so I thought they made the right decision not to send U.S. troops into Rwanda.
Source: Presidential Debate at Wake Forest University
Oct 11, 2000
Keep tradition of showing opposition to Castro
George W. Bush says he would have tried to avoid a handshake with Cuban President Fidel Castro, unlike President Clinton at a United Nations summit last week. “It broke a
long tradition of signaling opposition to Castro. It’s just a tradition. The president did what he did. I would have tried to avoid the handshake.”
Source: AP story, NY Times
Sep 11, 2000
More trade with India; help out in East Timor
- Would work with India to increase trade and investment and ensure that India is a force for stability and security in Asia
- Supports helping America’s friend and longstanding ally Australia with logistical support in East Timor
Source: GeorgeWBush.com: ‘Issues: Policy Points Overview’
Apr 2, 2000
Cuba: maintain sanctions until elections
Supports keeping the current sanctions on Cuba until there are free elections, free speech and freedom for political prisoners
Source: GeorgeWBush.com: ‘Issues: Policy Points Overview’
Apr 2, 2000
Cuba: No trade, since investments prop up Castro regime
Capital that goes into Cuba will be used by the Castro government to prop itself up. Dollars invested will end up supporting this totalitarian regime. It’s in our best interests for us to promote freedom in the island right off the coast of Florida.
It’s in our best interest to keep the pressure on Castro until he allows free elections, free press and free the prisoners. Those that believe that trade with Cuba will cause Castro to become less totalitarian, in my judgment are naive and wrong.
Source: GOP Debate in Michigan
Jan 10, 2000
Honor Panama Canal treaty, but keep canal open
BAUER[to Bush]: We transferred the Panama Canal back to Panama [recently]. I believe our national security is at stake in Panama. The Chinese [own] the land on both ends of the canal. If I’m president, I’m going to look at how I can reassert American
military forces there. Are you willing to take the steps necessary, including putting our military back in Panama in order to stop the Chinese from taking over influence there?BUSH: In 1978 I opposed the Panama Canal Treaty. Now, our country has
signed the treaty. I believe we ought to honor the treaty. But when I’m the president, if I find in any way, shape or form the canal is closed to world interests, I will do whatever it takes to keep the canal open. It is in our national strategic
interests to have a peaceful hemisphere in which trade can flow freely. And I’ll liberate the canal if I have to.
BAUER: Do you see a threat from China in the canal?
BUSH. We’ll just wait & see.
Source: Republican Debate in West Columbia, SC
Jan 7, 2000
Texas governorship provides foreign policy experience
To be a good president when it comes to foreign policy, it requires someone with vision, judgment and leadership. I’ve been the governor of the 2nd biggest state. If it were a nation, it would be the 11th largest economy in the world. I have had foreign
policy as the governor of Texas, with Mexico. My goal, should I become the President, is to keep the peace. I intend to do so by promoting free trade; by strengthening alliances; and by strengthening the military to make sure that the world is peaceful.
Source: New Hampshire GOP Debates
Dec 3, 1999
Cuba: Increased trade would help Castro
Says economic sanctions on the regime of longtime Cuban strongman Fidel Castro should remain in place. “I really think we should keep the pressure on,” Bush said. “I’m worried that increased trade would only enhance a totalitarian regime.”
Source: Av Harris, Reuters
Aug 1, 1999
Cuba: Maintain sanctions
Supports keeping the current sanctions on Cuba until there are free elections, free speech and freedom for political prisoners.
Source: georgewbush.com/Message/75.htm “Specific Issues”
Jul 23, 1999
Must have China’s leverage on Kim Jong Il
BUSH: I can’t tell you how big a mistake I think that is, to have bilateral talks with North Korea. It’s precisely what Kim Jong Il wants. It will cause the six-party talks to evaporate. It will mean that China no longer is involved in convincing, along
with us, for Kim Jong Il to get rid of his weapons. It’s a big mistake to do that. We must have China’s leverage on Kim Jong Il, besides ourselves. If you enter bilateral talks, they’ll be happy to walk away from the table. I don’t think that’ll work.
KERRY: Just because Bush says it can’t be done, that you’d lose China, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. I mean, this is Bush who said “There were weapons of mass destruction,” said “Mission accomplished,” said we could fight the war on the cheap
-none of which were true. We could have bilateral talks with Kim Jong Il. And we can get those weapons at the same time as we get China. Because China has an interest in the outcome, too.
Source: First Bush-Kerry debate, Miami FL
Sep 30, 2004
Cox Report: Should have done something immediately
[Bush said] the White House failed to take the Cox Report seriously and was slow to react. “I’d do something about it immediately,” he said. Bush acknowledged that the problem has been going on for years, but he doesn’t believe that gives Clinton an
excuse. “It’s unfortunate that China has been stealing secrets during Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton. But there is only one administration that has been given the news; only one administration knew, and that’s the Clinton administration.” he said.
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
Chinese nuclear spying will shift balance of power
Bush also called for a congressional investigation into “what went wrong and why.”“I think the balance of power is going to shift as a result of this,” Bush said. “I think it’s going to accelerate China’s emergence as a nuclear power. And the next
president and presidents after that are going to have to deal with that.”
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
China is a competitor; put allies ahead of them
The current administration calls China a “strategic partner.” China is not America’s strategic partner. China is a competitor, a competitor which does not share our values but now, unfortunately, shares many of our nuclear secrets. The US relationship
with China is complex and difficult. Today’s news [on the Cox Report] highlights the need for the President to be realistic about China and to understand the importance of putting America’s friends and allies in the Far East first.
Source: GeorgeWBush.com/News/ “Cox Report”
May 25, 1999
Kerry wants a global test while I will be resolute
BUSH: In our first debate Kerry proposed America pass a global test. In order to defend ourselves, we’d have to get international approval. That’s one of the major differences we have about defending our country. I’ll work with allies. I’ll work with
friends. We’ll continue to build strong coalitions. But I will never turn over our national- security decisions to leaders of other countries. We’ll be resolute, we’ll be strong, and we’ll wage a comprehensive war against the terrorists. KERRY:
I have never suggested a test where we turn over our security to any nation. In fact, I’ve said the opposite: I will never turn the security of the US over to any nation. No nation will ever have a veto over us. But I think it makes sense that we ought
to pass a sort of truth standard. That’s how you gain legitimacy with your own people, and that’s how you gain legitimacy in the world. But I’ll never fail to protect the United States of America.
Source: Third Bush-Kerry Debate, in Tempe Arizona
Oct 13, 2004
Won’t allow foreigners to make national security decisions
BUSH: My opponent talks about foreign policy. He proposed America pass a global test. In order to defend ourselves, we’d have to get international approval. That’s one of the major differences we have.
We’ll continue to build strong coalitions. But I will never turn over our national-security decisions to leaders of other countries. KERRY:
The most important thing to relieve the pressure is to recognize that America is strongest when we are working with real alliances, when we are sharing the burdens of the world.
I believe the president broke faith to the American people in the way he took this nation to war. I think most Americans in their guts know, that we ought to pass a sort of truth standard.
Source: Third Bush-Kerry debate, in Tempe AZ
Oct 13, 2004
Other nations are sacrificing with us
BUSH: You tell Tony Blair we’re going alone. Tell Tony Blair we’re going alone. Tell Silvio Berlusconi we’re going alone. Tell Alexander Kwasniewski of Poland we’re going alone. We’ve got 30 countries there. It denigrates an alliance to say we’re going
alone, to discount their sacrifices. You cannot lead an alliance if you say, you know, you’re going alone. And people listen. They’re sacrificing with us. KERRY: Countries are leaving the coalition, not joining. Eight countries have left it.
If Missouri, just given the number of people from Missouri who are in the military over there today, were a country, it would be the third largest country in the coalition, behind Great Britain and the United States. That’s not a grand coalition.
Ninety percent of the casualties are American. Ninety percent of the cost is coming out of your pockets. I could do a better job. My plan does a better job. And that’s why I’ll be a better commander in chief.
Source: Second Bush-Kerry Debate, in St. Louis MO
Oct 8, 2004
I just know how this world works
You cannot lead if you send mixed messages. Mixed messages send the wrong signals to our troops and our allies. Mixed messages send the wrong signals to the Iraqi citizens. And that’s my biggest concern about Kerry. I admire his service. But I just know
how this world works, and that in the councils of government, there must be certainty from the US president. We change tactics when need to, but we never change our beliefs, the strategic beliefs that are necessary to protect this country in the world.
Source: First Bush-Kerry debate, Miami FL
Sep 30, 2004
United States returning to UNESCO
The United Nations was born in the hope that survived a world war-the hope of a world moving toward justice, escaping old patterns of conflict and fear. Our commitment to human dignity is challenged by persistent poverty and raging disease.
The suffering is great, and our responsibilities are clear. The US is joining with the world to supply aid where it reaches people and lifts up lives, to extend trade and the prosperity it brings, and to bring medical care where it is desperately needed.
As a symbol of our commitment to human dignity, the US will return to UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization].
This organization has been reformed and America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights and tolerance and learning.
Source: Address to the United Nations General Assembly
Sep 12, 2002
Aid should encourage markets & reform; unlike Russian IMF
Q: Is the US obligated to assist poor countries?A: We ought to have foreign aid. Foreign aid needs to be used to encourage markets and reform. Often we just spend aid and we feel better but it ends up being spent the wrong way. An egregious example is
Russia where IMF loans ended up in the pockets of powerful people and didn’t help the the nation. I don’t want to see the IMF as a [means to bail out bad loans]. It needs to be available for emergency situations. I want to make sure the return is good.
Source: Presidential Debate at Wake Forest University
Oct 11, 2000
Chernomyrdin Commission: Gore ignored corruption
[Numerous agreements with Russia were discussed via] a channel known as the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission, which was established in 1993 and which met twice a year until 1998. Gore has cited the work of the commission as among his signal achievements
as vice president and an important part of his r‚sum‚ for the presidency. Some critics in Congress, as well as Governor Bush, say that Gore placed too much faith in his close personal relationship with Chernomyrdin, and that this led Gore to turn a blind
eye to strong evidence of corruption. They say that Gore’s eagerness to pile up agreements led, in some cases, to bad deals. Bush touched on this criticism during the Oct. 11 debate, saying: “We went into Russia, we said here’s some IMF money. It ended
up in Viktor Chernomyrdin’s pocket, and others’.” Chernomyrdin had been out of office several months when the funds from the IMF reached Moscow, and an IMF investigation found no conclusive evidence that he personally profited from the loans.
Source: Analysis of Wake Forest debate, John Broder, NY Times
Oct 13, 2000
Chernomyrdin threatens to sue Bush for slander re corruption
Bush’s accusation that aid money from the IMF lined the pockets of former Russian prime minister Chernomyrdin as denied today by Chernomyrdin and the IMF. The comments about misused aid reflect growing skepticism among many Congressional Republicans
about the role of the IMF, which some critics have accused of wasting billions and supporting corrupt governments. Bush’s debate barb was clearly aimed at Gore, who has reached numerous agreements with Chernomyrdin.The IMF has repeatedly denied that
aid money was siphoned off, and offered independent audits as evidence. Mr. Chernomyrdin issued a statement in Moscow today denying the accusations and threatening to sue Bush for slander. “I think Mr. Bush Jr. should be getting ready for a court hearing
on the issue,” Chernomyrdin said. Bush stood by his statement, but softened his tone today, saying it was “general knowledge” that people in Russia had taken IMF aid, but “it might not have been [IMF money]; it might have been another aid.”
Source: Analysis of Wake Forest debate, Joseph Kahn, NY Times
Oct 13, 2000
Hopes Putin will stay committed to reform & democracy
I hope the election of Vladimir Putin will lead to Russia’s return to the path of reform, and that Putin will root out the corruption that has impoverished the Russian people. I also hope Putin demonstrates a real commitment to democracy, the rule of
law, a market economy, freedom of the press and freedom of religion. I am troubled that Putin gained his popularity as a result of the war in Chechnya. Moscow will discover that it cannot build a stable and unified nation on the ruins of human rights.
Source: Press Release
Mar 27, 2000
Russia: Work together to dismantle nuclear weapons
Q: What is your opinion on nuclear weapons?
A: I do believe there’s an area where we can work with Russia in the post-Cold War era. And that’s to work with them to dismantle strategic and tactical nuclear warheads. I’d continue to fund [the
process], to make sure that we work with the Russians to bring certainty into that part of the world. The post-Cold War era is one where we need to cooperate to bring peace. And, we must convince [the Russians] not to spread weapons of mass destruction.
Source: GOP Debate on the Larry King Show
Feb 15, 2000
Russia: Troubling that Putin gained from Chechnya
Bush was asked by reporters what he thought about Russia’s acting President Vladimir Putin, who got the job after the surprise New Year’s resignation of Boris Yeltsin. Putin has gained support in Russia by
promoting Moscow’s military offensive in Chechnya, a breakaway region. “I’m troubled by the fact that Mr. Putin has gained popularity as a result of Chechnya,” Bush said. “I’m hopeful that he will lead his country to substantive and real reforms.”
Source: Associated Press, in The Enterprise (Brockton MA), p. A9
Jan 4, 2000
Page last updated: Jun 15, 2016