2007 Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nov.15, 2007: on Foreign Policy


Bill Richardson: Set conditions on foreign aid assistance to Musharraf

We say to Musharraf: Security is more important than human rights. If I’m president, it’s the other way around -- democracy and human rights. I would condition the assistance to Musharraf. We give him $10 billion, 60% of that is to his military, if he restores the constitution, holds elections in January, ends the state of emergency, allows Bhutto to run as a candidate, and puts the Supreme Court back. He is supposed to go after terrorists on his border, and has done a very weak job of doing that. Pakistan and the politics of Pakistan, Islamic parties get maybe 15 percent of the vote. So this threat that revolutionary elements are going to overtake him, if he has a fair election, and you take his party and Bhutto’s party, and you get the military. I believe moderate forces can win. If we’re on the side of democracy and human rights, and we’re on the side of Musharraf having elections, then US interests are preserved, and the Pakistani people have a democracy.
Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada Nov 15, 2007

Joe Biden: Move from a Musharraf policy to a Pakistan policy

I do not think we should maintain the same aid we’re giving. I have made it clear to Musharraf. If he did not take off his uniform, if he did not hold fair and free elections by the middle of January, I would on the floor of the Senate move to take away the aid we’re giving with regard to F-16s and P-3s, because that’s the biggest leverage you have on him within his military. He is not a sole player. He has to keep his military happy as well. I would use that leverage. We should move from a Musharraf policy to a Pakistan policy. Unlike anyone else, within 5 days of this happening, I laid out a detailed plan. You have to move from military aid to giving to the middle class there. The middle class is overwhelmingly the majority. They get no connection with the US. We have to significantly increase our economic aid relative to education, relative to NGOs, relative to all those things that make a difference in the lives of ordinary people over there, and not be doing it through the military side.
Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada Nov 15, 2007

  • The above quotations are from 2007 Democratic Primary Debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nov.15, 2007.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Foreign Policy.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Barack Obama on Foreign Policy.
  • Click here for more quotes by Hillary Clinton on Foreign Policy.
2016 Presidential contenders on Foreign Policy:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Nov 30, 2018