Chairman's Press
Chairman Kerry Opening Statement At Nomination Hearing For Ambassador To Afghanistan
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) held a nomination hearing for Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker to be Ambassador to Afghanistan. The full text of his statement as prepared is below: This morning we are here to consider President Obama's nominee for ambassador to Afghanistan, and we are fortunate that the President has chosen one of America's most experienced and able diplomats to serve in Kabul. It gives me great pleasure to once again wel… Continue Reading
June 08, 2011
Foreign Relations Committee Releases Comprehensive Report on U.S. Civilian Aid in Afghanistan
Washington, DC - As part of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's ongoing efforts to examine progress in Afghanistan, Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released a report that evaluates how the United States is spending civilian assistance in Afghanistan. The United States currently spends more on aid to Afghanistan than any other country. With the upcoming transition to an Afghan security lead in 2014 and the increased responsibilities U.S. civilians will absorb from the military, there is a c… Continue Reading
June 04, 2011
Chairman Kerry On The Passing Of Lawrence Eagleburger
Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement after learning of the passing of former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger: "Lawrence Eagleburger was one of America's finest diplomats, the first career Foreign Service Officer to rise through the ranks to become Secretary of State. He served his country and five presidents with distinction and honor for more than 40 years and I join his family and friends in mourning his passing … Continue Reading
June 03, 2011
Chairman Kerry On The 30th Anniversary Of HIV/AIDS
Washington, DC - On June 5, 1981, AIDS was first reported by clinicians at the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In recognition of the 30-year struggle to combat the disease, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement: "For three decades, the world has battled HIV/AIDS. Once, a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS was seen as a death sentence. Now, with new weapons in our arsenal and better treatment and understanding of the disease, people diag… Continue Reading
June 02, 2011
Chairman Kerry On The Murder Of Pakistani Journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad
Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement on the death of Syed Saleem Shahzad, the Asia Times Online's Pakistan Bureau Chief: "I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the recent abduction and murder of reporter Syed Saleem Shahzad. His reporting on critical national security and intelligence issues helped shed light on the difficult challenges confronting the region. His death is a blow to Pakistan's fragile democracy … Continue Reading
May 26, 2011
Chairman Kerry On The Capture Of Ratko Mladic
Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement today after the announcement by President Tadic of Serbia that Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb General accused of overseeing the massacre at Srebrenica and other atrocities, had been captured and would be turned over to the international war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague: "Ratko Mladic's capture is welcome news not only to the survivors of the horrors he helped c… Continue Reading
May 26, 2011
Chairman Kerry Opening Statement At Nomination Hearing For Ambassador To China
Washington, DC - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) held a nomination hearing for Gary Locke to be Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. The full text of his statement as prepared is below: Today, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will consider the nomination of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to serve as our nation's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. This is an important post. If confirmed by the Senate, Secretary Locke will join… Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
Chairman Kerry Opening Statement At Nomination Hearing For Deputy Secretary Of State
Washington, DC - This afternoon, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) held a nomination hearing for William J. Burns to be Deputy Secretary of State. The full text of his statement as prepared is below: I am pleased to welcome Ambassador William Burns, an outstanding public servant who has been nominated by the President to be Deputy Secretary of State. I understand that Bill's wife Lisa Ann Carty, and his two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah, are also in attendance. … Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
Kerry Opening Statement At Hearing Titled “Al Qaeda, The Taliban, And Other Extremist Groups In Afghanistan and Pakistan”
Washington, D.C. - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing to examine the current threat posed by Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan and to analyze the capabilities and intent of other international terrorist groups operating in the region. The full text of Chairman Kerry's statement as prepared is below: We are once again joined by an exceptional panel of experts for the fifth in a series of hearings on Afghanistan and Pa… Continue Reading
May 23, 2011
Kerry Statement On The Resolution Of The Crisis In Honduras
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement after the former and current Presidents of Honduras signed the "Cartagena Accord" clearing the way for resolution of the two-year crisis in Honduras: "The Cartagena Accord is the product of tough negotiations encouraged by the Obama administration and facilitated by President Santos of Colombia and President Chávez of Venezuela. President Funes of El Salvador provided valuable … Continue Reading
May 22, 2011
Kerry Statement on Sudan Developments
Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released the following statement on the situation in Sudan: "Sudan faces a test of leadership not a question of fate. At this very moment, Sudan stands ominously close to the precipice of war. Both sides must put an end to the recent provocations and quickly get back on course before the situation deteriorates any further. As I told President Kiir when I spoke with him on Friday, the unprovoked May 19th attack … Continue Reading
May 16, 2011
Transcript Of Chairman Kerry’s Press Conference In Pakistan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This afternoon, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) held a press conference prior to departing Islamabad. The following is a transcript of those remarks: Senator Kerry: Good afternoon. First of all, let me apologize to everybody for being as late as I am. We just came from the Presidential Palace and meeting with President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani and General Kayani and others and we worked through some language with respect to a Joint Statement th… Continue Reading
May 12, 2011
Kerry Opening Statement At Hearing On “Assessing The Situation In Libya”
Washington, D.C. - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing to assess the situation in Libya and U.S. efforts to prevent a humanitarian crisis in that country. The full text of Chairman Kerry's statement as prepared is below: This is the Foreign Relations Committee's fourth hearing on Libya since the popular uprising began in February. It's certainly an issue that deserves our attention. Secretary Steinberg, welcome back. The last time yo… Continue Reading
May 10, 2011
Kerry Opening Statement At Hearing On “Steps Needed For A Successful 2014 Transition In Afghanistan”
Washington, D.C. - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired the third in a series of hearings on Afghanistan and Pakistan. The hearing focused on Afghanistan and the path the Obama Administration needs to pursue in order to shift security responsibility to Afghan security forces by 2014. The full text of Chairman Kerry's statement as prepared is below: Good morning and welcome. This is the third of six hearings on Afghanistan and Pakistan we are holdi… Continue Reading
May 05, 2011
Kerry Opening Statement At Hearing Titled “Assessing U.S. Policy And Its Limits In Pakistan”
Washington, D.C. - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing to examine the United States' engagement with Pakistan, how the killing of Osama bin Laden will impact this relationship, and the implications of our policy with Pakistan on our upcoming troop withdrawal and transition in Afghanistan. The full text of Chairman Kerry's statement as prepared is below: Good morning and thank you all for coming. This is the second in our series of heari… Continue Reading
May 03, 2011
Chairman Kerry On Honduran Court Ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), issued the following statement after a Honduran court dismissed the last two remaining charges against former President Manuel Zelaya: "I welcome the Honduran court's decision to drop charges against former Honduran President Mel Zelaya, paving the way for the former president's return to Honduras as a free man. This decision helps bring closure to a sad period of Honduran history, which began nearly two years ag… Continue Reading
May 03, 2011
Kerry Opening Statement At Hearing Titled “Afghanistan: What is an acceptable end-state, and how do we get there?”
Washington, D.C. - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing to discuss the end-state in Afghanistan, how the death of Osama bin Laden affects the conflict and its implications for our upcoming troop withdrawal, our transition strategy, and our partnerships in the region. The full text of Chairman Kerry's statement as prepared is below: Thank you all for coming. This is a seminal moment as we deliberate about our foreign policy and security i… Continue Reading
May 02, 2011
Kerry Launches Another Comprehensive Series of Hearings to Examine and Assess U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today announced that the Committee will hold another series of hearings to debate the end-state in Afghanistan, assess the strategic relationship between the United States and Pakistan, and examine regional implications. Under Senator Kerry's chairmanship, the Committee has already conducted 14 oversight hearings on the war, including the first Congressional hearings on reconciliation and the mission in Marja. "The k… Continue Reading
May 02, 2011
Chairman Kerry On The Death Of Osama bin Laden
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after President Obama informed the nation that U.S. operatives had killed Osama bin Laden: "The killing of Osama bin Laden closes an important chapter in our war against extremists who kill innocent people around the world. We are a nation of peace and laws, and people everywhere should understand that our ten-year manhunt was in search of justice not revenge. Terro… Continue Reading
May 01, 2011
Op-ed By Chairman Kerry: Getting The Transition Right
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote an op-ed on the transition in Afghanistan that appears in The Boston Globe today. The full text of the op-ed below: The Boston Globe Getting The Transition Right US needs to determine what type of Afghanistan it will leave By John F. Kerry In two months, the Obama administration will announce critical choices about the next phase of its Afghanistan strategy: how to begin d… Continue Reading
