Mark Begich on War & Peace

Democratic Jr Senator

Fully fund US contribution to UN operations in Darfur

Q: Will you support and actively work to fully fund the U.S. contribution to UN Peace Operations in hot spots like Darfur?

A: Yes.

Q: Will you cosponsor a resolution in Congress supporting the establishment of a UN Emergency Peace Service if one is introduced?

A: I need more information about the parameters under which such a Peace Service would be established.

Source: Citizens for Global Solutions: 2008 Senate questionnaire , Sep 9, 2008

We must responsibly re-deploy out of Iraq

Mark believes we must responsibly redeploy out of Iraq to strengthen national security. Mark favors the gradual withdrawal of American forces from Iraq’s civil war, coupled with increased American diplomacy and forcing the Iraqi government to take responsibility for its future. He strongly supports American troops who are fighting in harm’s way. But he believes national leaders have let our soldiers and citizens down with no plan, inadequate equipment and a lost focus. Mark believes we need to relentlessly pursue the terrorists who attacked the US and have rebuilt their global network based in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan while the US has been distracted by Iraq. He will ensure that our military is not stretched too thin to meet other national security needs, as top military officers like the Army Chief of Staff say it now is. He believes the US is unprepared to meets the future demands of veterans, and will fight to provide quality care and benefits to its veterans. Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, www.begich.com, “Issues” , May 21, 2008

Iranian nuclear weapons: prevention instead of containment.

Begich co-sponsored Resolution on Iran's nuclear program

Whereas, since at least the late 1980s, Iran has engaged in a sustained pattern of illicit and deceptive activities to acquire nuclear capability;
Whereas the UN Security Council has adopted multiple resolutions since 2006 demanding the full suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities by Iran, particularly possible military dimensions;
Whereas, in Nov. 2011, the IAEA issued an extensive report that documents "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme";
Whereas top leaders of Iran have repeatedly threatened the existence of the State of Israel;
Whereas the Department of State has designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984;
Whereas Iran has provided weapons, training, & funding to terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Shiite militias in Iraq;
Whereas Iran had forged a "secret deal" with al Qaeda to facilitate the movement of al Qaeda fighters and funding through Iranian territory;

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, that Congress--

Reaffirms that the US Government has a vital interest in working together to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
warns that time is limited to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
urges continued and increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran until a full and sustained suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities;
expresses that the window for diplomacy is closing;
expresses support for the universal rights and democratic aspirations of the people of Iran;
strongly supports US policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
rejects any US policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat.

Source: HRes568/SR41 12-SJR41 on May 24, 2012

Sanctions on Iran to end nuclear program.

Begich signed Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act

diplomatic efforts to address Iran's illicit nuclear efforts, unconventional and ballistic missile development programs, and support for international terrorism are more likely to be effective if the President is empowered with explicit authority to impose additional sanctions on the government of Iran;
US concerns regarding Iran are strictly the result of that government's actions; and
the people of the United States have feelings of friendship for the people of Iran and regret that developments in recent decades have created impediments to that friendship.

support international diplomatic efforts to end Iran's uranium enrichment program and its nuclear weapons program;
encourage foreign governments to direct state-owned and private entities to cease all investment in, and support of, Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran;
impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian financial institution engaged in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups; and
work with allies to protect the international financial system from deceptive and illicit practices by Iranian financial institutions involved in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups.

Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to direct the President to impose sanctions if a person has made an investment of $20 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $5 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period) that directly and significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. (Under current law the sanction thresholds are $40 million, $10 million, and $40 million, respectively.)
Establishes additional sanctions prohibiting specified foreign exchange, banking, and property transactions.
Includes refined petroleum resources.

Source: S.908&HR.2194 2009-S908 on Apr 30, 2009

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Page last updated: Apr 22, 2013