Bill Richardson says he'd meet Chavez, leaders of Iran, Syria

[bigtree]

Mar. 19, 2007

Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas - Democratic New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Monday that U.S. foreign policy's concentration on the Middle East cost the country progress on other important issues and that Latin America has been virtually ignored.

"My point is that Latin America is a very important part of the world," Richardson said, noting that he would meet with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as part of a broader Latin American policy plan.

Calling President Bush's recent trip to the region "a little late," Richardson said the U.S. needs to be "associated with policies of democratic populism in Latin America."

"We're not," he said. "We have to pay more attention to Latin America by being there."

"If you're going to have peace in the Middle East, if you're going to bring some kind of resolve, result to the Iraqi crisis, you've got to think regionally," Richardson said. "You should meet with Iran and Syria. You don't make peace with your friends. You make peace with your enemies."

Richardson said he wanted to create a "new alliance for progress for Latin America," including economic assistance, loans to help the energy entrepreneurs as well as education, health care and nutrition.

"I would shift the focus of our assistance to Latin America, which I think is most important because it's our hemisphere," said Richardson, who is Hispanic.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/politics/16935605.htm

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

[saltpoint]

1. Richardson, unlike Bush, has great diplomatic skills. It's Bush who

pees his pants at the thought of having to talk with these folks.

Good for Richardson to say this, to keep the pressure up, to show how it should be undertaken -- instead of the way Bush has opted for over the last 6 years.

[MzNov]

2. I just love Richardson.

I don't really suppose he'll win the nomination, but we certainly could use him somewhere in the coming Democratic landslide government.

***Gore44***
:bounce:

[bigtree]

3. I remember extreme frustration with getting Kerry noticed

the same expressions about his chances were going around . . . Massachusetts liberal, etc.

Dean was the Motts back then . . . Kucinich was recognized for his doggedness . . .