The Associated Press: on Foreign Policy
Rand Paul:
Good idea to end Cuba embargo; it hasn't worked
Paul became the first potential Republican presidential candidate to offer some support for President Barack Obama's decision to try to normalize U.S. relations with Cuba. The president's surprise announcement was slammed by several potential
GOP candidates, including Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, who said it amounted to appeasing the Castro regime.Paul said in a radio interview that many younger Cuban Americans support opening up trade with Cuba.
He also said many U.S. farmers would back Obama's moves because the country is a new market for their crops.
"The 50-year embargo just hasn't worked," Paul said. "If the goal is regime change, it sure doesn't seem to be working and probably it punishes
the people more than the regime because the regime can blame the embargo for hardship. In the end, I think opening up Cuba is probably a good idea," he said. Paul's comments parallel those of Hillary Clinton.
Source: Ken Thomas on Associated Press, "Trade with Cuba"
Dec 18, 2014
Chris Murphy:
US support of Israel is in our national security interest
Lee Whitnum, an unemployed software engineer from Greenwich, accused Murphy of "drinking the AIPAC Kool-Aid," referring to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. She said she is the only U.S. Senate candidate who is not pro-Israel and called
AIPAC a "cancer in our government."Murphy defended U.S. support of Israel, saying it is in the country's national security interest. "I stand with the U.S./Israeli relationship and I'm willing to defend my position on it," he said. "It just should
be done without name-calling."
During her closing remarks, Whitnum motioned to Murphy and said, "I'm dealing with whore here, who sells his soul to AIPAC, who will say anything for a job." After the debate,
Whitnum acknowledged to reporters that she may have crossed the line. But she defended her overall stance. Murphy joked afterwards that he's been called "bad names" over the last five years.
Source: Associated Press coverage of 2012 CT Senate debate
Apr 5, 2012
Thomas Kean Jr.:
Assisted with N.J. divestiture from Sudan
Darfur turned into a political football this week after Robert Menendez announced that the Senate passed his amendment to provide $60 million for a United Nations peacekeeping mission there.
Tom Kean claimed he was one of the leading state lawmakers when it came to divesting state pension funds from companies doing business with Sudan. It is William Payne, not Kean, that Sudan experts credit for pushing
New Jersey state lawmakers to support a bill directing state pension funds to be divested from companies doing business with Sudan. William Payne’s legislative director said
Kean was the first state senator to join Payne in calling for divestiture, noting “He was the only one on the Senate side for a long time to speak on the issue.”
Source: Donna de la Cruz, Associated Press, in Bridgewater Courier
May 5, 2006
Jeb Bush:
Support Israel in its battle against terrorism
Gov. Jeb Bush pledged to support Israel in its battle against terrorism and said Americans have a better understanding of the fear Israelis face daily after living through the Sept. 11 attacks. In a speech celebrating Israel's 56th Independence Day, Bush
lauded his brother, President Bush, for reinforcing the alliance between the two countries at a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Gov. Bush said the April 14 meeting "made little doubt about our country's commitment to Israel and the
vision of two states living in peace and security."President Bush endorsed Sharon's offer to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the West Bank in exchange for concessions on settlements. Palestinians criticized the plan. Gov. Bush said, "This new US
policy, I think, will bring about the chance of lasting peace far better than the current status quo. And if there's any attempt to impose a different vision, the US is committed to intervene and provide support to the state of Israel."
Source: Associated Press in St. Petersburg Times
Apr 27, 2004
Howard Dean:
Day 1: Visit international allies to undo damage
Q: After the inauguration, what would be your first action as president?A: To make an international visit to our allies to shore up our badly damaged relationships.
Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “DAY 1”
Jan 25, 2004
Al Gore:
Vietnam: Trade will improve human rights & help with MIAs
Q: An agreement has been signed with Vietnam that will require that country to protect US intellectual property and open its markets. It makes no demands on human rights. Do you support this deal? A: I believe that we must ratify and fully implement
important new trade agreements, and as president, I will insist on and use the authority to negotiate and enforce worker rights, human rights and environmental protections in those agreements. I believe that the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement
provides important benefits to American businesses and workers, including dramatic new market access for American goods, services, and agricultural products; intellectual property protection; investment protection provisions; and transparency and
rule-of-law measures. The treaty also represents an important step in the normalization of our relations with Vietnam, a process which will strengthen cooperation on bringing American POW-MIAs home, promoting religious freedom and combating narcotics.
Source: Associated Press
Oct 18, 2000
George W. Bush:
Vietnam: Trade better for human rights than sanctions
Q: An agreement has been signed with Vietnam that, if approved by Congress next year, will require that country to protect U.S. intellectual property and open its markets. It makes no demands on human rights. Do you support this deal? A: I support
the trade agreement with Vietnam. I believe expanded trade with Vietnam will help the forces of economic and political reform take root and grow. At the same time, we must make clear to the Vietnamese government that we expect them to cooperate fully
with our efforts to obtain the fullest possible accounting of missing servicemen in Vietnam. Like all Americans, I want to see improved human rights, and living and working conditions worldwide. The best way to address these issues is not through
unilateral trade sanctions, but through multilateral agreements. The primary goal of our trade policy should be to open markets abroad because the better way to raise living and working standards is to increase trade.
Source: Associated Press
Oct 18, 2000
Al Gore:
To union: we disagree on China; but agree elsewhere
Gore made his case yesterday for the China trade bill to union workers. “I know that one of your legislative priorities is to urge members of Congress not to support permanent normal trade relations with China,” Gore said. “You know that I don’t share
that view. I strongly support normal trade relations with China because I believe it is right for America’s economy and right for the cause of reform in China.” George W. Bush has accused Gore of reticence on the trade issue. The Bush campaign was so
certain that Gore would say nothing about the impending House trade vote in his union address that they issued a statement one hour earlier saying, “Before union audiences, his support disappears.” But Gore faced the difference of opinion head on, if not
too enthusiastically. Reading from his text in even tones to a silent audience, Gore said, “I respect the depth and strength of your feeling, but I’m also proud that on other great issues, you and I stand together - virtually on all of the other ones.”
Source: Sandra Sobieraj, Associated Press
May 22, 2000
Pat Buchanan:
Struggle against emerging world government
“Loyalty to the New World Order is disloyalty to the Republic. In nation after nation, the struggle between patriotism and globalism is under way.” Buchanan said the Clinton administration is allowing the UN to intrude on America’s sovereignty.
At the same time, he said, the US is guilty of “trampling on the sovereignty” of other nations by injecting troops in internal conflicts, such as Kosovo. “If ever sovereignty becomes obsolete, we may expect America’s involvement in endless wars until,
one day, we pay a horrific price in some act of cataclysmic terror on our own soil,“ Buchanan said. ”For interventionism is the spawning pool of international terror.“ The UN is increasingly seeking authority over US troops and control of the nation’s
borders, Buchanan warned. ”This then is a millennial struggle that succeeds the Cold War: It is the struggle of patriots of every nation against a world government where all nations yield up their sovereignty and fade away,“ he said.
Source: Associated Press, “Attack World Government”
Jan 6, 2000
George W. Bush:
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
John McCain:
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
Steve Forbes:
Russia: We spent billions to support a corrupt elite
“Our foreign relations with Russia has been an unmitigated disaster,” Forbes said. “We’ve known for years that tens of billions of dollars were being siphoned off by a corrupt elite in the Kremlin, who were no more democratic than their communist
predecessors. As a result of our turning a blind eye to massive stealing, massive oppression, the words ‘democracy,’ ‘free enterprise,’ ‘free market’ to the eyes of the average Russian have become ‘oppression.’”
Source: Mike Recht, Associated Press
Sep 10, 1999
Steve Forbes:
Russia: No aid to kleptocrats until they pay workers
Forbes stated, “We have allowed, incredibly, in Russia the rise of a new system of serfdom.” He said four out of 10 Russians workers are not being paid. “We at the very least should tell the kleptocrats in the Kremlin we won’t even consider aid unless
you become current as a government on paying your workers, and two, you deny export licenses to concerns in Russia who aren’t paying their workers in a timely manner.”
Source: Mike Recht, Associated Press
Sep 10, 1999
Steve Forbes:
Do not permit use of force in Taiwan or Tibet
Forbes said it’s critical that US leaders make it clear China will not be permitted to use force to retake Taiwan. “Unfortunately, the Clinton White House is giving off very dangerous ambiguous signals,” he said. “On human rights, which touches on Tibet,
we should make it clear we will denounce human rights abuses in China in every international forum possible. If they want to denounce us, fine. But we will win that kind of openness contest.”
Source: Mike Recht, Associated Press
Sep 10, 1999
Dan Quayle:
Treat Asia like we do Europe
Quayle says that the US should pay more attention to Asian affairs, including developing a stronger relationship with democratic India. “Asia is much more important today than it was a generation ago,” Quayle said. “We do have to treat Asia economically,
politically, militarily and diplomatically as we do Europe.”
Source: Jonathan D. Salant, Associated Press
Aug 3, 1999
Dan Quayle:
Move China towards democracy, to avoid threat
Quayle eventually wants to bring China into the World Trade Organization and see the country move toward democracy. But he warned that some experts liken China to Germany of 100 years ago, which fought two world wars before becoming a democratic nation.
“China is a huge challenge to us,” Quayle said. “I do not believe, as some in my party do, that China is the enemy. I view China as a huge opportunity. I want to see China become prosperous. I also want to see China become democratic.”
Source: Jonathan D. Salant, Associated Press
Aug 3, 1999
Dan Quayle:
Respect China; support Taiwan; SDI for Asian allies
Quayle, alluding to Nixon’s successful effort to restore US relations with China in the 1970s, said the US must strengthen ties with Japan, South Korea and other allies while respecting China’s growing political, military and economic might. A missile
defense for those allies should be adopted, but any solution to Taiwan’s sovereignty dispute with Beijing must be peaceful, Quayle said. “Taiwan is our friend. It is a democracy,” he said. “This has to be resolved peacefully and without conflict.”
Source: Michael White, Associated Press
Jul 24, 1999
Dan Quayle:
We must face China as our biggest challenge
Quayle said this country’s biggest challenge is China. “Nobody’s running the store. China is stealing our military secrets and paying off the Democratic Party,” he said. “We need to face that challenge head-on, just like we met the challenge of Communism
Source: Associated Press
Jul 6, 1999
Bob Smith:
Create Senate committee to investigate China spying
[Regarding the Cox Report,] Sen. Bob Smith of New Hampshire is urging creation of a Senate select committee to investigate Chinese espionage. “We will get to the bottom of this,” he said. “Nobody in this Senate worth his or her salt should have any
objection to that.”
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
Elizabeth Dole:
“Get a grip” on Cox Report & take action
[Regarding the Cox Report,] Elizabeth Dole declared, “Previous administrations must share in the blame, but this administration knew more and still chose not to take action.
The Clinton-Gore administration needs to get a grip on the gravity of this crisis.”
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
Gary Bauer:
Cox Report marks failure to protect our nation
[Regarding the Cox Report,] Gary Bauer, who has made China policy a cornerstone of his campaign, accused the administration of failing in “its most basic duty to protect our nation.” Bauer said in a statement, “it is time for new American leadership, it
is time for a new foreign policy, and it is time for new congressional hearings to investigate who is directly responsible - politically and commercially - for endangering America’s national security.”
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
George W. Bush:
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
George W. Bush:
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
John Kasich:
Heed the clear warning of the Cox Report
[Regarding the Cox Report,] “The espionage report sounds a clear warning,” said Rep. John Kasich of Ohio. “Only time will tell if we take heed.”
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
John McCain:
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
Lamar Alexander:
Blue-ribbon commission to investigate China spying
[Regarding the Cox Report,] Lamar Alexander has called for an independent, blue-ribbon commission to “get to the bottom of the current China mess.”
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
Steve Forbes:
Cox Report indicates incompetence, ineptitude, insincerity
[Regarding the Cox Report,] Steve Forbes said the administration had demonstrated “incompetence, ineptitude and insincerity on a scale never before witnessed in the history of U.S. defense,” making a point to target not just Clinton but also Vice
President Al Gore.
Source: Associated Press, “Republicans on China”, by K. Srinivasan
May 26, 1999
Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019