Bill Bradley on War & Peace

Rely on UN peacekeepers when no vital US interest

One means of paying attention to smaller countries that have sometimes been overlooked is by revitalizing US leadership in the United Nations. The UN is committed to the goal of ensuring that all nations share in economic, social, & scientific progress. It delivers humanitarian assistance to the victims of wars and natural disasters. It provides a mechanism through which the US can help in dozens of conflicts around the world in which our vital interests aren’t directly involved but where we feel a more imperative to respond. Working with the UN’s diplomacy and development arms, we can prevent minor differences from escalating into wars. When conflicts do break out, UN peacekeepers should play a role in defusing and settling them. Without giving up our sovereignty, we can help the UN with better training and better command and control in order to develop more effective peacekeeping forces. Source: The Journey From Here, by Bill Bradley, p.147 Aug 15, 2000

Ask OPEC for more oil production

Q: What would you do to bring down gas prices?
A: The reason they’re high now is because we asked OPEC to raise oil prices in hopes of helping Russia be able to sell its oil on the international market. I think that now in California and across this country, oil prices are skyrocketing and we need action. Frankly, we needed action about six months ago. We need to go to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, those countries that we defended in the Gulf War, and needed to tell them to increase their oil production. Source: Democrat debate in Los Angeles Mar 1, 2000

Iraq: Isolate Saddam diplomatically; loosen grip on oil

Q: Should we take a harder line against Saddam Hussein or to try accommodation? A: [We should] try to loosen Saddam’s grip on the oil pipeline. The fact is that he has the capacity now in OPEC to reduce production, which increases price. That’s precisely what’s happened now. Specifically, I think the most important thing is to diplomatically isolate Saddam. I would not let sanctions go. I would keep sanctions on and try to keep him pinned down and surrounded through diplomatic effort. Source: Democrat Debate in Manchester NH Jan 26, 2000

Should have foreseen & prevented Yugoslav actions

On Kosovo, Bradley has been highly critical of the administration, saying President Clinton and Gore should have foreseen what was developing in Yugoslavia and tried to prevent it. Asked whether he is for the NATO bombing, [Bradley answers], “There could have been more fruitful negotiations.” Source: Boston Globe, p. A12 May 10, 1999

Against intervention

Bradley is positioned as The Democrat Who’s Against the War in Kosovo. Source: Boston Globe, Sunday April 25, 1999, p. C4, by David Nyhan Apr 25, 1999

Establish exit strategy to avoid quagmire

Bill Bradley issued the following statement today following the launch of NATO airstrikes against Serbia: “I fully support the American and NATO troops who are now in danger overseas. However, I have serious questions about our policy. We are escalating our commitment without establishing a clear exit strategy. As with Bosnia, we run the risk of becoming bogged down in a quagmire whose end we cannot predict or control.” Source: www.billbradley.com/ “On Kosovo” Mar 24, 1999

Voted YES on ending the Bosnian arms embargo.

Ending the Bosnian arms embargo.
Status: Bill Passed Y)69; N)29; NV)2 Reference: Bosnia Herzegovina Self-Defense Act of '95; Bill S. 21 ; vote number 1995-331 on Jul 26, 1995

Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem.

Bradley sponsored the Jerusalem Embassy Act

Jerusalem remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic religious group are protected;
Jerusalem be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel;
the U.S. Embassy in Israel be established in Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999.
Makes specified amounts of such funds available until expended in FY 1996 and 1997 only for construction and other costs associated with relocating the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem.

Corresponding House bill is H.R.1595. Became Public Law No: 104-45. Source: Bill sponsored by 77 Senators and 78 Reps 95-S1322 on Oct 13, 1995

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