2014 State of the Union address: on Foreign Policy
Green Party:
US routinely ignores UN action toward nuclear disarmament
In a letter sent to President Obama on January 29, 2014, a consortium of national organizations called on the Administration to stop obstructing and to participate constructively and in good faith in current international initiatives to delegitimize and
eliminate nuclear weapons. These include:- A conference hosted by the government of Mexico on Feb. 14, 2014
- The US boycotted the first such conference, hosted by Norway last year.
- A new UN resolution calling for "the urgent commencement of
negotiations for the early conclusion of a comprehensive convention" to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons.
- The US boycotted last year's UN "Open Ended Working Group" on nuclear disarmament.
- The US indefinitely postponed a conference to start
negotiations on a Nuclear Weapons and WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East, mandated by the 2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference, acting on behalf of Israel, the only nuclear weapon state in the Middle East.
Source: Green Party response to 2014 State of the Union
Jan 30, 2014
Barack Obama:
Negotiations with Iran don't rely on trust
American diplomacy, backed by pressure, has halted the progress of Iran's nuclear program--and rolled parts of that program back--for the very first time in a decade. Iran has begun to eliminate its stockpile of higher levels of enriched uranium.
It is not installing advanced centrifuges. And with our allies and partners, we're engaged in negotiations to see if we can peacefully achieve a goal we all share: preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.These negotiations will be difficult.
We are clear-eyed about Iran's support for terrorist organizations like Hezbollah; and the mistrust between our nations cannot be wished away. But these negotiations do not rely on trust; any long-term deal we agree to must be based on verifiable
action that convinces us and the international community that Iran is not building a nuclear bomb. If JFK and Reagan could negotiate with the Soviet Union, then surely a strong and confident America can negotiate with less powerful adversaries today.
Source: 2014 State of the Union address
Jan 28, 2014
Barack Obama:
Double access to electricity in Africa
Our alliance with Europe remains the strongest the world has ever known. From Tunisia to Burma, we're supporting those who are willing to do the hard work of building democracy. In Ukraine, we stand for the principle that all people have the right
to express themselves freely and peacefully, and have a say in their country's future. Across Africa, we're bringing together businesses and governments to double access to electricity and help end extreme poverty.
In the Americas, we are building new ties of commerce, but we're also expanding cultural and educational exchanges among young people.
We do these things because they help promote our long-term security. And we do them because we believe in the inherent dignity and equality of every human being, regardless of race or religion, creed or sexual orientation.
Source: 2014 State of the Union address
Jan 28, 2014
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019