We must better engage with China to secure Chinese adherence to international trade, non-proliferation and human rights standards. We are committed to a “One China” policy,
and will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-Straits issues that is consistent with the wishes and best interests of the Taiwanese people.
Source: The Democratic Platform for America, p.10
Jul 10, 2004
Asia: Enhance relations with Japan, S.Korea, India, Pakistan
We must maintain our strong relationship with Japan, and explore new ways to cooperate further. And we will actively seek to enhance relations with our historic ally South Korea
in order to advance our collaborative efforts on economic and security issues. We must also work with our friends, India and Pakistan, in their efforts to resolve longstanding differences.
Source: The Democratic Platform for America, p.10
Jul 10, 2004
Bush bullies when he should instead persuade
The Bush Administration has walked away from more than a hundred years of American leadership in the world to embrace a new - and dangerously ineffective - disregard for the world. They rush to force before exhausting diplomacy.
They bully rather than persuade. They act alone when they could assemble a team. They hope for the best when they should prepare for the worst. Time and again, this Administration confuses leadership with going it alone and engagement with
compromise of principle. They do not understand that real leadership means standing by your principles and rallying others to join you. John Kerry, John Edwards and the Democratic Party believe in a better, stronger America -
an America that is respected, not just feared, and an America that listens and leads. Our vision has deep roots in our Declaration of Independence and Franklin Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms, and in the tough-minded tradition of engagement and leadership
US leadership in Africa for economic & humanitarian goals
US engagement in Africa should reflect its vital significance to US interests. The HIV/AIDS pandemic in southern and eastern Africa is a massive human tragedy and a security risk of the highest order that threatens to plunge nations into chaos. Chronic
and debilitating hunger also threatens the very survival of communities where investment in agriculture has suffered for over a decade. We are committed to bringing the full weight of American leadership to bear against this crisis.
We must also work
with the UN and Africa’s regional organizations to address Africa’s persistent, disproportionate share of the world’s weak, failing states and chronic armed conflicts, and to promote effective relief efforts when there is a humanitarian crisis -
particularly at this moment in Sudan. We value our deepening economic ties with Africa, including Central and West Africa’s rapidly rising position as a major source of non-Gulf oil.
Community of the Americas for US-Latin American relations
We believe that it is time to create a new Community of the Americas that reflects our close relationship with our regional neighbors. We will return U.S.- Latin American relations to a place marked by dialogue, consensus and concerted action to address
common concerns. We understand that our collective security and prosperity are furthered by mutual efforts to promote democracy, generate wealth, reduce income disparities, and provide sound environmental stewardship. We are committed to strong and
steady support for democratic processes and institutions in our hemisphere. We believe that democratic governments deserve our support, and that we should exercise our considerable diplomatic and moral force in support of democratically elected leaders.
Mexico has made steady progress toward building a mature democracy, and we will make relations with Mexico a priority in order to best address economic, environmental and social issues of concern.
Russia: work on nukes, human rights, and democracy
Democrats will pursue a Russia policy that recognizes that country’s importance and advances the core U.S. security interests at stake in Russia’s historic transformation, beginning with cooperative work to secure vulnerable stockpiles of nuclear weapons
and materials. We reiterate that respect for human rights, the rule of law and Russia’s fledgling democratic institutions and independent media outlets are essential to Russia’s continued integration into international institutions and the global economy
Source: The Democratic Platform for America, p.11
Jul 10, 2004
End Castro regime, but allow travel
We support effective and peaceful strategies to end the Castro regime as soon as possible and enable the Cuban people to take their rightful place in the democratic Community of the Americas.
We will work with the international community to increase political and diplomatic pressure on the Castro regime to release all political prisoners, support civil society, promote the important work of Cuban dissidents,
and begin a process of genuine political reform. Within this framework the Democratic Party supports a policy of principled travel to Cuba that promotes family unity and people-to-people contacts through educational and cultural exchanges.
Forward Engagement must guide proactive foreign policy
Forward Engagement means addressing problems early before they become crises and having the forces to deal with these threats as soon after their emergence as possible. Its means drawing on all three main sources of American power - military strength, a
vibrant, growing economy, and a democratic political system. Forward Engagement is the strategy that must guide us. It means meeting new challenges such as international crime and terrorism, environmental degradation, and pandemic diseases head-on.
Source: Democratic National Platform
Aug 15, 2000
Work to close gap between richest and poorest nations
We support increasing investment in the International Labor Organization and expanding the use of trade preferences that are tied to improvement in labor standards. We want to reverse the widening gap
between rich and poor and nations, which is why we back debt forgiveness for the poorest nations. We must reform the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank so that labor standards, human rights,
and protections of the environment are integral to their policies and practices. We should use our influence in multilateral development institutions to not only provide emergency assistance for stabilizing economies and
to create social safety nets, including unemployment insurance and health care, but also to give people the skills, education, and training they need to compete.
Source: Democratic National Platform
Aug 15, 2000
Engage China; protest Tibet
We must continue to engage China. We must search out ways to cooperate across a broad range of issues, while at the same time, insisting on adherence to international standards on human rights, freedom, the persecution of religions, the
suppression of Tibet, and bellicose threats directed at Taiwan. These issues cannot be marginalized. A Gore Administration will also remain committed to a “One China” policy.
Source: Democratic National Platform
Aug 15, 2000
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