Kerry rips Bush policy (Libya shows value of negotiations)

[Karmadillo]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2003/12/21/kerry_rips_bush_policy/

Kerry rips Bush policy
By Rick Klein, Globe Staff, 12/21/2003

ALTOONA, Iowa -- Presidential candidate John F. Kerry yesterday used Libya's announcement that it would end its nuclear weapons program to slam the Bush administration's foreign policy, saying the agreement with Moammar Khadafy shows what is possible through negotiations instead of force and threats.

While applauding Libya's announcement, the Massachusetts senator said in a statement that it "makes clear the shortcomings of George Bush's go-it-alone unilateralism." Kerry said the United Nations and NATO could be used to help end weapons programs in North Korea and Iran.

"An administration that scorns multilateralism and boasts about a rigid doctrine of military preemption has almost in spite of themselves demonstrated the enormous potential for advances in the war on terror through cooperation," Kerry said.

In a speech to campaign supporters and other Democratic activists at an amusement park in Altoona, outside Des Moines, Kerry offered a veiled jab at rival Howard Dean by saying Democrats must challenge President Bush with a candidate who has foreign-policy experience.

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[sandnsea]

1. Logical thinking skills

It's a great thing! Can't believe it took the Boston Globe to get it right.

[maddezmom]

2. good article

John Kerry gets is right. While *bush and Tony are talks with Libya
over WMD, we're bombing Iraq... Diplomacy for one and not the other.

[Democrats unite]

3. Seanator Kerry is more inteligent

Than some people give him credit for.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. Kerry would definitely be a great President

"Libya's agreement to terminate their weapons of mass destructions program is an important step forward in addressing the great security challenge of our time, proliferation. It is particularly important that it will be done within the international non-proliferation treaty regime and using the IAEA, the bases of international law and multilateral cooperation and verification. After all, if anyone has any illusions about the true character of Qaddafi and the importance of vigilance in holding him to his word, they need only remember the victims of Pan Am 103 and their families who have paid the price for Qaddafi's past brutality.

Ironically, this significant advance represents a complete U-turn in the Bush Administration's overall foreign policy. An Administration that scorns multilateralism and boasts about a rigid doctrine of military preemption has almost in spite of itself demonstrated the enormous potential for improving our national security through diplomacy. If the President can put aside his go it alone unilateralism to engage with a longtime enemy like Qaddafi, why are the ideologues in this Administration so hesitant to negotiate with North Korea to end their nuclear weapons programs? Why not rally the United Nations and NATO to forge a new cooperative effort to combat proliferation around the globe?"

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1220.html

[sleipnir]

5. But it's not a Kerry speech until he takes a shot at Dean.

Smart cookie, but I wish he'd lay off the negative attacks, even if it's more muted and "veiled." And why does he only attack Dean? Why not Clark? I really don't understand Kerry sometimes...

[sistersofmercy]

6. This is a fantastic statement by Kerry

Extremely intelligent angle to use against bush*. These kind of statements are why I support him.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. and where's Dean's statement on Libya?

He hasn't post one on his website that I can find.

[Scott Lee]

8. Nobody can sit on a fence like Kerry can

THIS pious missive from a guy who voted for Bush's war. Unbelievable.

Senator Kerry, do you believe your own rhetoric, or was this merely for the audience?