Presidential hopeful John Kerry praises Peace Corps
Read and comment on this story from Reuters on Democratic Presidential hopeful John Kerry who says America should reach out to the world through programs like the Peace Corps that "put American idealism to work in developing countries." Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran has made foreign policy a key component of his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination for 2004. Read the story at:
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Kerry Calls for New U.S. Approach to Middle East
Thu January 23, 2003 12:39 PM ET
By John Whitesides
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry said on Thursday the United States will not be safe from terrorism until it works with other nations to modernize and build democracies across the Middle East.
Like many other Democrats, the Massachusetts senator also urged President Bush not to rush into war with Iraq.
Calling for a "bold, progressive internationalism" in U.S. foreign policy, Kerry said what he called Bush's "unilateralist" approach was dangerous and the United States should lead a drive to bring freedom to the Middle East.
"The Bush administration has a plan for winning the war (against terrorism) but no plan for winning the peace," said Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who has made foreign policy a key component of his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination for 2004.
"What America needs today is a smarter, more comprehensive and far-sighted strategy for modernizing the Middle East," he said in prepared remarks for a speech at Georgetown University.
"It should draw on all of our nation's strengths: military might, the world's largest economy, the immense moral prestige of freedom and democracy and our powerful alliances."
Kerry said a combination of political repression, economic stagnation, population growth and lack of education had created an explosive mix on the streets of the Middle East, creating a breeding ground for hostility to the West.
WAR ON TERRORISM
As a result, winning the war on terrorism required not only hunting down terrorists who plot against the United States but building a better future for all in the Middle East, he said.
He hearkened back to Cold War efforts to rebuild Europe and reach out to the world through programs like the Peace Corps that "put American idealism to work in developing countries."
"With creative leadership, the U.S. can enlist our allies in a sustained multilateral campaign to build bridges between the community of democracies and the greater Middle East," he said.
Kerry, one of six Democrats vying to be the party's presidential candidate at the end of next year, said the Bush administration's "blustering unilateralism" was wrong and dangerous.
"It has meant alienating our long-time friends and allies, alarming potential foes and spreading anti-Americanism around the world," he said.
Kerry, who voted in favor of a congressional resolution giving Bush the authority to wage war in Iraq, said disarming President Saddam Hussein was a key component of peace in the Middle East, but the administration should exhaust its diplomatic avenues before launching war.
"They must take the time to do the hard work of diplomacy," Kerry said. "They must do a better job of making their case to the American people."
"Mr. President, do not rush to war," he said.
He called for significant investments in education and infrastructure in developing countries in the Middle East and said the United States must launch a high-profile regional trade initiative to spark growth there. Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL
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