Committee today for confirmation hearings as secretary of state, the
foreign policy agenda of the US government is confronting many
challenges. We are engaged in wars in different stages in Afghanistan
and Iraq. Global climate change represents a potential catastrophe.
The danger from the spread of nuclear weapons and technology remains
significant.
Yet it would be wrong to infer that we cannot triumph over the torrent
of troubles afflicting the world today. After eight years of
unilateral decision-making on the world stage and log rolling and
partisan paralysis at home, we have an opportunity to reshape the way
the United States does business with the world. We can resolve these
issues by reasserting our moral leadership and restoring the world's
trust in us through multilateral problem-solving rooted in diplomacy.
The Defense Department has fulfilled the enormous burdens placed upon
our men and women overseas with honor and professionalism. But the
road to reestablishing American leadership and improving the lives of
our citizens and the rest of the world also runs through the State
Department and the Congress. As incoming chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee, I am determined to push an agenda that recognizes
a new reality, returns civilian functions to civilians, and enhances
the ability of US diplomats to play the leading role in solving these
problems through effective foreign assistance and diplomacy.
We live under the constant threat of catastrophic terrorism. In recent
weeks, we have heard chilling warnings about the prospect of nuclear
terrorism. No issue is more urgent than dealing with nuclear
proliferation. And none cries out louder for international
cooperation. We need to signal the world that the United States is
again ready to lead the way toward a world free of nuclear weapons.
The ultimate goal may be far in the future, but now is the time to
begin the journey with two dramatic steps.
First, I will urge the Obama administration to embrace the goal of
reducing our strategic nuclear arsenals to 1,000 deployed warheads and
work to persuade the Russians to do the same. That number is more than
enough to keep us and our allies safe, but it will tell the world that
we are determined to fulfill our responsibilities to eventually
eliminate these doomsday weapons. In conjunction, it is essential that
the new administration immediately open serious discussions with the
Russians on extending or replacing the landmark Strategic Arms
Reduction Treaty, which expires in less than a year.
Second, I will begin working to build the necessary bipartisan support
for US ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty,
which would impose a worldwide ban on nuclear testing under the watch
of a far-reaching verification regime. Winning approval of two-thirds
of the Senate will be a long and difficult process. It will require
the unyielding support of the Obama administration and my colleagues
on both sides of the aisle. But success would be the single greatest
arms control accomplishment for the new Senate and it would
reestablish America's traditional leadership role on nonproliferation.
Just as we must work diligently to prevent a nuclear attack, the same
leadership must be applied to avert a potential disaster of equal
magnitude - global climate change. For eight years, the United States
has been the world's laggard on this vital issue, and the global
community craves new and aggressive leadership. We need to send a
strong and certain message that we are ready to lead the effort to
combat climate change through action at home and active engagement
with other countries to develop a comprehensive new treaty.
In two months, negotiators will meet for the next round of discussions
on a pact to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. The
essential elements of that treaty must be defined by the next
Conference of Parties in Copenhagen this December. The time is short
and the task is tremendous. The Senate has a vital role to play in
defining the scope of the treaty to meet this urgent challenge.
And just as we must work with allies and other progressive nations to
meet these challenges, we need the assistance of the international
community to achieve stability in the Middle East and find a solution
to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Strengthening our alliances
through leadership and cooperation will help when it comes to
persuading Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions and to
deliver the political and economic stability we seek in Afghanistan
and across South Asia.
The common element in this formula for a new foreign policy is
replacing military solutions and unilateral action with diplomacy and
multi-national consensus. Clinton's work on the Armed Services
Committee, her lifetime of public service, and her global stature have
prepared her well to help pave this new road for American leadership.
Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts is chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee.
(c) Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
Posted by Rambunctious Mongoose
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