Kerry Vows to Rebuild 'Shredded' U.S. Alliances

Yahoo! News ^ | 5/29/04 | Patricia Wilson - Reuters

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -

Democratic White House candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) vowed on Saturday to rebuild U.S. alliances "shredded" by President Bush (news - web sites) and to restore America's international respect.

The Republican incumbent and his likely challenger in the Nov. 2 presidential election both attended the dedication of the World War II Memorial but Kerry told reporters: "There are no politics today. It's just a really nice day, a really special day for America."

Hours before the ceremony on Washington's Mall, Kerry declared in the Democrats' weekly radio address that it was "time to answer the call to greatness and lead the world."

"It's time to put away pride and stubbornness," he said. "We must rebuild alliances that have been shredded because an America respected in the world will be an America stronger in the world and safer here at home."

The Massachusetts senator, who voted for the congressional resolution authorizing Bush to use force in Iraq (news - web sites), has since charged the president rushed to war without adequate international help or a plan to win the peace.

"America has always drawn its power not only from the might of its weapons, but from the trust and respect of nations around the globe," Kerry said. "From the World Wars to the Cold War and beyond, American-led alliances have been a driving force in the survival of freedom."

During the 2000 election campaign, Bush promised a humble foreign policy built on stronger international alliances, but since taking office he has angered some of Washington's traditional friends with moves like abandoning a global warming treaty and invading Iraq.

FOREIGN POLICY FOCUS

Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, has begun an 11-day focus on national security built around Saturday's dedication ceremony, Memorial Day on Monday when the United States honors its war dead and the 60th anniversary of D-Day on June 6.

In the same period, Bush plans to give a major speech on Iraq, travel to Normandy, France, for the D-day celebrations and host the G8 summit of the leaders of Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada and Russia on Sea Island, about 90 miles south of Savannah, Georgia.

Kerry painted the broad strokes of his foreign policy priorities in Seattle on Thursday, promising to forge a coordinated global alliance against terror, free the United States from its "dangerous dependence" on Middle East oil and end what he described as Bush's divisive bullying tactics.

On Iraq, Bush and Kerry both believe the United States should stay the course to bring stability to the country. Neither is ready to set a date for withdrawing U.S. troops.

But Kerry, a 20-year veteran of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he would give greater prominence to international organizations like the United Nations (news - web sites) and NATO (news - web sites).

"Some of the best armor we could ever give our troops will be allies to fight by their side," he said. "And it's because of those who fought before and those who fight today that it's time to do what it takes to build an America that's once again respected in the world."

Kerry attended the World War II memorial dedication with Joseph Lesniewski, of Erie, Pennsylvania, one of 18 living paratroopers from the Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division who on D-Day parachuted into enemy territory behind the Normandy beachhead.

[NormsRevenge]

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites)(R) speaks to retired U.S. Navy (news - web sites) Lt. Cmd. Roy Gibson before the dedication ceremony for the National WW II Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2004. Kerry vowed on Saturday to rebuild U.S. alliances 'shredded' by President Bush (news - web sites) and to restore America's international respect. Hours before Bush was to speak at the memorial dedication, his likely challenger in the presidential election declared it was 'time to answer the call to greatness and lead the world.' (John Pryke/Reuters)

[Ramonan]

Another title: Kerry kisses Chirac's A---

[TomGuy]

Specifics, Kerry

Details, Kerry

All the generalities are getting old--empty, meaningless, rambling rhetoric, Kerry.

Give us specifics on what you would do and how you would do it better, or STFU.

[Clara Lou]

Aren't our "shredded" alliances pretty much limited to those nations whose citizens were involved in taking "Food for Oil" money or who did business with Saddam on the sly?

[Mister Baredog]

But Kerry, a 20-year veteran of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he would give greater prominence to international organizations like the United Nations

Hear in lies the choice America.

In other words, France, Russia, and China three who hold vetoes over any UN resolution about anything.

How could Kerry ever win the White House with that for a platform?

Are we that stupid?

My opinion, NO WAY!!!!

[NormsRevenge]

Another title: Kerry kisses Chirac's A---

lol

OOOOOOO... That tickles , Johnnn Kerrryyyy...

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Is this where he crawls on his hands and knees, crying, and begging the "world" to take us back?

[Dark Knight]

"abandoning a global warming treaty "

IIRC that died in the senate 95-0. Did he abstain or did he vote against before he supported it?

DK

[AngieGOP]

Yes, those "shredded" alliances Kerry speaks of are the theives involved in the "Food for Oil" program. Maybe Kerry wants to start a "Ketchup for Oil" program. He can put Teresa in charge.

[Salamander]

The true title:

"Kerry Pledges To Give Aid And Comfort To The Enemy...Again."

[Godfollow]

Wouldn't it be smarter to build alliances with the American people, since we are the ones who are voting. Isn't it amazing that the libs shit-can half of the American population and complain about relations of foreign powers who shit-can the US. That's what you call not seeing the forest for the trees, or in another respect, viewing the world through a straw.

[antaresequity]

So Kerry wants to rebuild alliances with France and Germany, two of the major culprits who facilitated Iraq and Sadam in the first place, and were complicit in the Oil for Cash scam sponsored by the UN...

I sure hope they get the dirt on the UN and France and Germany out in the open, then Bush in the debates can ask Kerry: You want to do what?

[Clara Lou]

So, what Kerry is saying is that he will lead the kiss-up to thieves and back-stabbers such as our "allies," the French. Kerry is a disgusting specimen.

[Mark17]

Hey Norm, I hope that retired Navy Veteran in the picture, is giving Kerry a piece of his mind. It looks like he is ready to shove his finger in Kerry's eye.

[Howlin]

"time to answer the call to greatness and lead the world."

To hell? I think not.

And the answer to your question YES.........YES.....

[Mister Baredog]

abandoning a global warming treaty "

IIRC that died in the senate 95-0. Did he abstain or did he vote against before he supported it?

LOL! I would love to know who those 5 non-votes were.

They forgot the International Criminal Court Bush also rejected.

Plus he's a "cowboy" they really hate that.

And he's religeous, that's the last straw!

[Dark Knight]

I was looking at it, and Kyoto would cost the US $400 billion per year. Kerry knew it was a no go, but urged us to follow it anyway. In ten years that is $4 trillion, it dwarfs medicare, Iraq, and probably most social programs he wants. He's be a moron to support it openly, and he does. Our glorious media just doesn't report the price tag of his support.

DK

[meenie]

I am getting a little disturbed with both candidates and their international intentions. Alliances for what? Why do we need military over the world in 170 countries? Oh, for the war on terror. Tell me what GI in Weisbaden, Germany is doing to protect us from terrorists. Kosovo. Oh yeah, we must protect the Muslim Brotherhood so the Serbs don't annihilate them. Our foreign policy is so full of holes it looks like Swiss cheese.

Now we get to the 800 pound gorilla on the block, North Korea, and move our forces out to Iraq to relieve some of our forces there. There is no strategy, there is confusion as to what we are doing. I suspect that foreign adventurism is so attractive because it can be hidden and covered up in comparison with the criticism leveled on the screw-ups on the domestic scene. Why don't the candidates just once ask themselves why we are leaving our borders defenseless and worrying about our alliances overseas?

The United States was a great power prior to and in WW II. Since then, after allying with and acting as the butt boy for the UN, it has deteriorated into one of the bunch. The world's super-power is also the worlds super-debtor and super-sucker for sticking its nose into all the messes the third world creates.

[BunnySlippers]

I don't care how much Kerry loves and respects France, I never will.

[BunnySlippers]

At the very least his charge means that we need to renew our efforts to find out what "foreign leaders" he referred to in his original statement.