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Kerry Vows to Rebuild 'Shredded' U.S. Alliances
Yahoo! News ^ | 5/29/04 | Patricia Wilson - Reuters

Posted on 05/29/2004 1:11:06 PM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Political Humor/Cartoons; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alliances; kerry; rebuild; shredded; vows
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Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry(R) speaks to retired U.S. Navy 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 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)

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)


1 posted on 05/29/2004 1:11:06 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge

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


2 posted on 05/29/2004 1:14:17 PM PDT by Ramonan (You never get something for nothing)
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To: NormsRevenge

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.


3 posted on 05/29/2004 1:14:25 PM PDT by TomGuy (Clintonites have such good hind-sight because they had their heads up their hind-ends 8 years.)
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To: NormsRevenge

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?


4 posted on 05/29/2004 1:16:55 PM PDT by Clara Lou (Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.)
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To: NormsRevenge
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!!!!

5 posted on 05/29/2004 1:18:45 PM PDT by Mister Baredog ((The French can"t even build an airport))
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To: Ramonan
Another title: Kerry kisses Chirac's A---

lol

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


6 posted on 05/29/2004 1:20:31 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi Mac ... Become a FR Monthly Donor ... Kerry thread archive @ /~normsrevenge)
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To: All

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


7 posted on 05/29/2004 1:21:55 PM PDT by WilliamofCarmichael (Benedict Arnold was a hero for both sides in the same war, too!)
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To: 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?

DK


8 posted on 05/29/2004 1:22:08 PM PDT by Dark Knight
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To: Clara Lou

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.


9 posted on 05/29/2004 1:23:20 PM PDT by AngieGOP (I never met a woman who became a stripper because she played with Barbie dolls as a kid)
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To: Ramonan

The true title:

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


10 posted on 05/29/2004 1:24:41 PM PDT by Salamander
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To: NormsRevenge
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.
11 posted on 05/29/2004 1:25:32 PM PDT by Godfollow
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To: NormsRevenge
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?
12 posted on 05/29/2004 1:27:59 PM PDT by antaresequity (This is not the "War on Terror"...we don't fight tactics.)
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To: AngieGOP

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.


13 posted on 05/29/2004 1:28:14 PM PDT by Clara Lou (Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.)
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To: NormsRevenge

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.


14 posted on 05/29/2004 1:29:45 PM PDT by Mark17
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To: Clara Lou
"time to answer the call to greatness and lead the world."

To hell? I think not.

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

15 posted on 05/29/2004 1:30:41 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: 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?

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!

16 posted on 05/29/2004 1:38:41 PM PDT by Mister Baredog ((The French can"t even build an airport))
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To: Mister Baredog

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


17 posted on 05/29/2004 1:43:45 PM PDT by Dark Knight
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To: TomGuy
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.

18 posted on 05/29/2004 1:47:00 PM PDT by meenie
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To: NormsRevenge

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


19 posted on 05/29/2004 1:48:16 PM PDT by BunnySlippers (Must get moose and squirrel ... B. Badanov)
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To: Salamander

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.


20 posted on 05/29/2004 1:50:30 PM PDT by BunnySlippers (Must get moose and squirrel ... B. Badanov)
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