Week-in-Review
May 2, 2008
*In Case You Missed It - See below for highlights from Senator Joe Biden's activities in the U.S. Senate*
**Biden In His Own Words**
Biden on the Release of the State Department Terrorism Report: On Wednesday, Sen. Biden the following statement on the release of the State Department's annual terrorism report:
* "On 9/11, Americans gave the Bush Administration one mission: destroy Al Qaeda and protect us from the threat it poses. The release today of the State Department's annual terrorism report confirms what I've been saying for a long time now: not only is that mission unaccomplished, it is further from being achieved now than it was six years ago. We must destroy Al Qaeda. But instead of rolling back the threat it poses, this administration's approach has helped produce a global breakout of extremism, which now threatens more people in more places than it did before 9-11.
* "While this Administration pursues a war with no end in sight in Iraq, the people who actually attacked us on 9/11 are resurgent in Afghanistan and Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas. There were dramatically more terrorist incidents and more injuries and fatalities from terrorist attacks in Afghanistan in 2007 than there were in 2006, which in turn had far more attacks and casualties than 2005. Afghanistan's fate is directly tied to Pakistan's future and America's security. If Afghanistan fails or Pakistan falls to fundamentalism, America will suffer a terrible setback. We must re-focus our efforts on the real central front in the fight against terrorists: the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
* "Outside of Iraq and Afghanistan, more people were killed or injured by terrorists, and there were more suicide bombings, in 2007 than the year before. While there are important pockets of success highlighted in the State Department report, we are not going to get better news about the global state of terrorism until we start making better and smarter use of the totality of America's strength - not just our military - and we start to end a war in Iraq that is diverting our energy and resources from finally defeating Al Qaeda."
Biden: 'Stand up for Georgia': In Sunday's Washington Times, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) and Ranking Member Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) penned an op-ed in which they call on the "trans-Atlantic community to show unity and commitment" to offer Membership Action Plans to Georgia and Ukraine. They wrote:
* "Moscow employed its entire arsenal of military, diplomatic and economic tools to undercut support for the two former Soviet states and to intimidate NATO leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin went so far as to threaten Ukraine with a nuclear attack while standing beside Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko at a press conference weeks before the Bucharest summit.
* "The more immediate challenge is the case of tiny Georgia (population 4.6 million).Russia is clearly trying to provoke the Georgians into an over-reaction that will tarnish Georgia's image in the West. To its great credit, Tbilisi has so far chosen the path of restraint and negotiation, as evidenced by Mr. Saakashvili's magnanimous diplomatic initiative. But Georgia cannot win this standoff alone. A peaceful solution will require U.S. leadership, and engagement by the rest of NATO. Those NATO members who thought they could appease Moscow by denying Georgia a MAP have already learned a hard lesson. Days after the summit ended, the Russian government took further steps to pry the two breakaway regions from Georgia.
* "It is time for Europe to get off the fence. The European states must engage Moscow and make clear that its actions in Georgia are unacceptable and inconsistent with the assumption that several European governments made in blocking MAP for Georgia. A peaceful solution to the crisis is possible if we act now. Washington must lead an intensive international diplomatic counteroffensive against Russia's efforts to destabilize Georgia and the region. The process should start by internationalizing the negotiations and peacekeeping missions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which until now have been dominated by Moscow.
* "The trans-Atlantic community must understand that Russia's actions are not directed solely at Georgia. They are also aimed squarely at NATO itself, whose peaceful expansion Russia has long opposed. Russia hopes to instigate confrontational responses and prolong the territorial crisis to further complicate Georgia's NATO aspirations. America and its allies must not fall into this trap. Georgia has done its part by refusing to overreact and continues to seek a diplomatic solution. The time has come for the trans-Atlantic community to show unity and commitment."
* OP-ED: To read Sens. Biden and Lugar's op-ed in the Washington Times: http://biden.senate.gov/press/opeds/oped/?id=32de6895-94b4-47fb-b413-0f776630f369
Biden on the Long-Delayed Release of Election Results in Zimbabwe: On Friday, Sen. Biden issued the following statement on the long-delayed release of election results in Zimbabwe:
* "More than a month ago, the people of Zimbabwe went to the polls. In an environment that was overshadowed by government brutality, they had the courage to vote for change. Now the election commission, in an attempt to silence opposition to Mugabe's government, has released results that would require a run-off election.
* "During the last month, in addition to withholding and likely manipulating the vote count, the Mugabe government has launched a renewed campaign of violence and oppression. It has thrown election observers and opposition supporters in prison, armed militias, and turned its army and police against own people.
* "The Mugabe government must step down and allow a peaceful transition to democracy. Zimbabwe's neighbors and other regional powers should help by convincing Mr. Mugabe that his rule of brutality, dictatorship, and economic disaster is over. And the international community, including the United States, should support an arms embargo to cut off the flow of weapons to the Mugabe government; expand sanctions against the regime and its leaders; and be prepared to assist a new democratic government with the support it will need to rebuild the Zimbabwean economy and political system."
* For more information: http://biden.senate.gov/press/pressreleases/release/?id=7c2170ce-62a9-452b- 9898-a30405525505
Biden Issues Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of 'Mission Accomplished': Sen. Biden issued the following statement on the eve of the fifth anniversary of President Bush's announcement of "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq:
* "Five years after 'mission accomplished' the President demands a 'mission with no end' in Iraq. It is long past time to do what the overwhelming majority Americans want and our interests require: act on a plan to draw down our forces without leaving chaos behind. The President likes to warn about the negative consequences of drawing down. They are debatable. But the costs of keeping 140,000 troops in Iraq - including the strain on our military and their families, the drain on our treasury, the harm to our military readiness and the inability to deal effectively with Afghanistan and Pakistan - are knowable and unsustainable."
* For more information: http://biden.senate.gov/press/pressreleases/release/?id=585641c6-78e9-486d- 98ae-0d56accc01fe
Biden Praises Opening of Bad Arolsen Archives on Eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day: On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom HaShoah, Sen. Biden applauded the formal opening of the Holocaust-era archives in Bad Arolsen, Germany. The Bad Arolsen archives contain as many as 50 million pages, written by the Nazis themselves, which chronicle the individual fates of more than 17 million Holocaust victims. Thousands of Holocaust survivors, historians, and researchers have waited decades to fully access this rich repository of information. Sen. Biden has long advocated opening the Bad Arolsen archives. In December 2006, Sen. Biden wrote to the ambassadors of the nine Tracing Service Commission countries that had not completed ratification to express his concern regarding the needless delays plaguing the process and to press for swift ratification. Throughout 2007, Sen. Biden continued to pressure the remaining, non-ratifying countries to complete the process. Now that ratification is complete, historians and Holocaust survivors will now have full access to the tragic truths housed in the archives at Bad Arolsen.
* "During these Days of Remembrance, as we recall one of history's darkest hours, it is fitting that the Bad Arolsen archives are now fully open to the public," said Sen. Biden. "The memory of the six million Jews and countless others slaughtered by the Nazis must live on to remind mankind about their atrocious acts. And now, more than 60 years after the end of World War II, survivors, their families, researchers and historians have complete access to the Nazis' own accounts of their atrocities."
* "As we look back on the devastation wrought by the Third Reich, we must also accept our moral obligation to stop genocide and ethnic cleansing today in places like Darfur and the Congo," said Sen. Biden. "We can best honor the Holocaust's victims by acting now to rid the world of the crimes that claimed their lives. On a day when history looms so large, I hope we will heed the lessons of the past and make our actions a worthy memorial to the victims of the Shoah."
* For more information: http://biden.senate.gov/press/pressreleases/release/?id=23b17626-e2fd-4017- ae9d-072dc15a6434
Biden Issues Statement on President Bush's Food Aid Request, Biden to Hold Hearing in May: On Thursday, Sen. Biden issued the following statement on President Bush's request for Congress to approve $770 million in additional funding for global food aid:
* "The recent crisis in food prices presents a grave humanitarian risk for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide subsisting on less than a dollar a day. It is our moral obligation to respond.The humanitarian challenges we face in the 21st century - shortages of energy, water and food - are also security challenges that require a long-term solutions. While the President's request is an important first step, we need a comprehensive strategy to solve this crisis. America has the opportunity here to strengthen international institutions, assist partners in need and restore its moral leadership in the world."
* "We have not kept our eye on the ball. Over the last 20 years international donors have systematically underinvested in agriculture. Farm and agriculture productivity in the developing world have not kept pace. Now we face what the United Nations calls a 'perfect storm' of problems. We need to be smarter this time around and complement emergency responses with long-term solutions. This month, I will hold a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the global food crisis to better define the problem and find solutions."
* "To begin, we should support efforts like the World Bank's 'New Deal for Global Food Policy' and go further to initiate a second Green Revolution. We must also reinvest in agricultural research, rural infrastructure and market access for small farmers. And, we must work together with other countries to remove trade barriers and implement progressive agricultural policies."
* For more information: http://biden.senate.gov/press/pressreleases/release/?id=f81892cd-7486-41b3- 8324-dbbe787d7fda
Biden on Iraq: Wednesday's Washington Post featured a letter to the editor from Sen. Biden. In response to the April 25 editorial "A Seasoned Command," he wrote:
* "The April 25 editorial 'A Seasoned Command' ignored the opportunity costs we are paying by staying in Iraq. I asked Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker whether America's security would be better advanced by focusing on "al-Qaeda in Iraq" or on al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where those who attacked us on Sept. 11, 2001, are regrouping. He rightly answered Afghanistan and Pakistan. But our efforts in those countries are handcuffed by our commitments to Iraq.
* "Al-Qaeda in Iraq is a Bush-fulfilling prophecy: It wasn't there before the war. When we draw down, the Iraqis are likely to stamp out its remnants. U.S. forces in the region can help finish the job.
* "Iran's influence skyrocketed when we toppled Saddam Hussein and gave Shiite parties a path to power. By drawing down, we can force Iran to confront the specter of a disintegrating Iraq or all-out war among Shiite factions, and diminish Tehran's ability to wage a proxy war on our soldiers.
* "The consequences of drawing down are debatable. The costs of staying - including the strain on our military, the drain on our Treasury and the deadweight on Afghanistan - are knowable and unsustainable."
* LETTER: To read Sen. Biden's letter to the editor: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/29/AR2008042902 392.html
**Biden Legislation**
Biden/Lugar Resolution Supporting Ukraine and Georgia Admission to NATO Unanimously Passes the Senate: On Tuesday, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) and Ranking Member Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) applauded the Senate's unanimous passage of their resolution expressing strong support for NATO's statement at the recent Bucharest Summit that the Alliance welcomes the eventual membership of Ukraine and Georgia.
* "This resolution sends a strong message that America supports Ukraine and Georgia eventually joining NATO and with all three candidates for the presidency leading the way, that our support is bi-partisan, consistent, and enduring," said Sen. Biden. "The decision to join NATO rests with the people of both countries and their elected governments, and of course with NATO itself. But it is important to make clear that NATO's door is open and that NATO is prepared to help Georgia, Ukraine and any other countries ready to meet the responsibilities of membership walk through that door."
* "This is a time for the trans-Atlantic community to show unity and commitment. We support and encourage the Administration to seek the offer Membership Action Plans to Georgia and Ukraine at the next NATO meeting in December. We also encourage a strong commitment from our NATO allies," Sen. Lugar said.
The resolution (S. Res 523) is co-sponsored by Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), John McCain (R-AZ), Barack Obama (D-IL), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Gordon Smith (R-OR), George V. Voinovich (R-OH) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA).
* LEGISLATION: For more information about the resolution supporting Ukraine and Georgia's admission to NATO (S.Res.523): http://biden.senate.gov/press/pressreleases/release/?id=8a8673cf-51d4-42c3- 94a8-180f489d7c93
Biden Resolution Designates May 2008 as National Drug Court Month: The Senate passed Sen. Biden's resolution designating May 2008 as "National Drug Court Month" to help increase awareness about the existence and effectiveness of drug courts and other diversion programs that offer alternatives to prison. The resolution (S.Res.534) also urges local, state and federal officials to help expand and robustly fund these treatment programs throughout the country. Drug courts combine intensive supervision, drug testing and treatment for non-violent first offenders. Across the country, over 2,100 drug courts have helped hundreds of thousands of people confront their addictions to drugs or alcohol and choose a path toward a more productive life. Delaware's Drug Court Program began full operation in April 1994. These specialized courts, in Delaware and nationwide, place offenders in an environment where they undergo regular treatment and counseling, submit to frequent and random drug testing, make regular appearances before a judge and are monitored closely for program compliance.
* "There's no question that drug courts save lives," said Sen. Biden, author of the landmark 1994 Biden Crime Law, which created the drug court program. "These programs are some of the most cost-effective and proven approaches to breaking the cycle of drug addiction and crime that infect our communities. I hope that during National Drug Court Month we can all celebrate drug courts' important role in saving lives and communities."
* LEGISLATION: For more information about the resolution designating May 2008 as National Drug Court Month (S.Res.534): http://biden.senate.gov/press/pressreleases/release/?id=9474a153-5037-4fcc- b042-e6a27a11fdc2
**Biden in the News**
Biden on Non-Military Aid for Pakistan:
* In Monday's New York Times' Editorial Page: Since 9/11, the United State has poured $10 billion into Pakistan - mostly for ex-General Musharraf's army. But it has not crushed Al Qaeda or managed to shut down militant safe havens. American intelligence officials say Al Qaeda is gaining strength in its Pakistani refuge. The new democratic government so far has exceeded expectations: rival politicians are cooperating and they have promised to lift media restrictions and make other needed reforms. It deserves Washington's support and some time to find its way.The Bush administration may - finally - throw its weight behind Senator Joseph Biden's call for a $2.5 billion package of additional nonmilitary aid. The administration and Congress should approve that aid immediately. That will give the new government more political room to go after the militants if yet another peace deal falls apart. And it is the only hope of persuading Pakistanis that this is more than just Washington's fight (4/28). To read the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/opinion/28mon1.html'ref=opinion
Biden on the President's Food Aid Request:
* In Friday's USA Today: President Bush's proposal to provide an additional $770 million in international food and development aid is winning praise from Congress and charities, but they say more needs to be done. The president's request Thursday follows his April 15 decision to raise $200 million in food aid by selling off stockpiles of wheat reserved for international emergencies. In addition, $350 million in aid is pending before Congress.The World Bank has warned of food riots and unrest in 33 nations. World leaders are concerned the situation could spark political tensions. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will hold an international summit June 3-5 in Rome. The proposal would be combined with $178 billion that Bush wants for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The defense money is controversial in Congress, but there is growing consensus for increased food aid. Democrats may add even more. "While the president's request is an important first step, we need a comprehensive strategy," said Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. "America has the opportunity here to. restore its moral leadership in the world." To read the full article: http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2008-05-01-bush-food-aidN.htm
Biden on North Korea's Nuclear Programs:
* In Saturday's Washington Times' Editorial Page: The new information about Syrian-North Korean nuclear weapons collaboration is a devastating blow to the Bush State Department's efforts to use the six-party talks to rehabilitate Kim Jong-il's Stalinist regime.One bright spot is that Congress has suddenly become much more energetic about performing its oversight responsibilities when it comes to North Korea. On the Senate side, 14 Republican senators have written President Bush expressing well-founded concerns that the weak U.S. negotiating posture with Mr. Kim's regime sends the wrong message to Tehran. And Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden has rightly stated that Washington should not lift sanctions on Pyongyang unless it is verified to be out of the proliferation business. Congress must demand that the administration provide a full accounting of North Korea's proliferation activities (4/26). To read the full article: http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080426/EDITORIAL/645886593/1013
**Biden on the Web**
Biden on the Issues: Visit Sen. Biden's new website, designed to improve the quality of resources and services available to the public. Interactive features have been added throughout the website to provide better information on Sen. Biden's work for the State of Delaware in the United States Senate.
NEW Biden Podcasts: Visit Sen. Biden's website for his podcast series. Expect regular updates on the Senate website and on iTunes for free downloads.
* Visit the Press Room on Senator Biden's website for recent videos, podcasts and galleries.
###
Elizabeth Alexander
Communications Director, Office of U.S. Senator Joe Biden
elizabethalexander@biden.senate.gov
Direct: 202-224-5373
More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index
|
|
