Chairman's Press
Chairman Kerry: Waiting for Signs of Change in Burma
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote an op-ed on this weekend's elections in Burma that appears online at Global Post. The full text of the op-ed is below: Global Post If Burma breaks from past, US should cooperate By John F. Kerry This weekend, the government of Burma held national elections, the first in 20 years under that country's authoritarian system. The elections were the culmination of a deeply flawed process, an… Continue Reading
November 08, 2010
Remarks By Chairman John Kerry After Meeting With Prime Minister Saad Hariri At The Grand Serail In Beirut
BEIRUT, LEBANON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri and President Michel Suleiman in Beirut, Lebanon before heading to Damascus, Syria to meet with President Bashar al-Assad to discuss the challenges facing the Middle East. Below are Chairman Kerry's remarks following his meeting with Prime Minister Saad Hariri, as delivered: It's a great pleasure for me to be back here in Lebanon, in Beirut. I have had the privilege o… Continue Reading
November 08, 2010
Chairman Kerry Supports India Becoming Permanent Member Of UN Security Council
Washington, D.C. -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement in response to President Obama's support of India becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council: "I endorse President Obama's support for India's inclusion as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council. The UN must reflect the realities of the 21st century, and one of those realities is India's unquestioned global stature." #… Continue Reading
November 07, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Elections In Burma
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released the following statement in response to the elections in Burma: "Today's elections in Burma were the culmination of a deeply flawed process and should not be considered legitimate. Despite its origins, this government does have an opportunity to bring change. One test will occur in just a few days, when Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's politically motivated confinement under house arrest … Continue Reading
November 07, 2010
Statement By Chairman Kerry Following Discussions In Sudan
Washington, DC - On November 5, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) arrived in Sudan for his second round of discussions with Sudanese leaders to help persuade the North to accept a peaceful division of the country if the South votes to secede on January 9. Chairman Kerry issued the following statement upon departure: "Over the past several days, I had a very productive series of meetings in Sudan. At this pivotal moment in the peace process, President Obama asked … Continue Reading
November 05, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Destruction Of Cyclone Giri In Burma
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released a statement in response to Cyclone Giri's impact on the Rakhine State of Burma, where relief agencies are reporting widespread damage: "I offer my condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by Cyclone Giri in the Rakhine State of Burma. The U.S. Embassy in Rangoon has offered prompt disaster relief, and I hope that the Burmese government will accept our offer to provide humanitarian assistan… Continue Reading
November 04, 2010
Chairman Kerry On President Obama’s Visit To India During Diwali
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the eve of the Diwali holiday and President Obama's upcoming trip to India, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement: "India is a vitally important friend and close partner of the United States. India's emergence as an Asia-Pacific and global power is in America's interest and President Obama's trip will help strengthen the U.S.-India relationship and reaffirm the unbreakable ties that bind our democracies together. We … Continue Reading
November 01, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Khmer Rouge Tribunal
WASHINGTON, D.C. -While traveling in Cambodia, Secretary of State Clinton called on the government of Cambodia to prosecute Khmer Rouge leaders for genocide and other crimes. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement: "The United States supports the Khmer Rouge tribunal not only because it provides an avenue for Cambodians to confront their country's tragic past, but also because it demonstrates how an independent judiciary that upholds the… Continue Reading
October 25, 2010
During Chairman Kerry's Visit, Sudanese Government Pledges To Abide By Outcome Of Referendum
KHARTOUM, SUDAN - During a three-day trip to Sudan, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) had productive, in-depth meetings with senior government leaders in Juba and Khartoum. Today, a resolution from the government of Sudan pledging to abide by the outcome of the referendum was presented to the Chairman. The resolution also vowed that the Sudanese government would cooperate with its neighbors to the south on a wide range of economic, political, and security issues. T… Continue Reading
October 21, 2010
Chairman Kerry Traveling To Sudan
WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) is traveling to Sudan as part of the Committee's ongoing effort to assess security, political, and economic developments in advance of the referendum in January that will determine whether Southern Sudan becomes an independent nation. During his three-day trip, the Chairman will conduct high-level meetings in both Khartoum and Juba. "Sudan is at a pivotal moment. Every reliable source indicates that Southern Sudan wi… Continue Reading
October 19, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Typhoon Megi
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today released a statement in response to Typhoon Megi's landfall in the Philippines: "I am saddened to hear of the loss of life and damage wrought by Typhoon Megi in the Philippines. As the storm -- one of the most powerful in decades -- moves across the South China Sea, our thoughts and prayers are also with the people of southern China who are bracing for Megi's impact. The United States is readying humanitari… Continue Reading
October 13, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Rescue Of The Chilean Miners
WASHINGTON, D.C.--This evening, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement about the successful rescue operations that freed 33 miners previously trapped in the San Jose cooper mine in northern Chile for more than two months: "I am overjoyed that all 33 miners have now been brought to safety, and I congratulate everyone involved in this historic event. The entire world held their breath in the days following the mine's collapse, and we rejoiced… Continue Reading
October 12, 2010
Chairman Kerry Introduces Bipartisan Legislation On Sudan
Washington, DC - With just over 100 days until the January referenda in Sudan, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry today introduced the bipartisan Sudan Peace and Stability Act of 2010, which is cosponsored by Senators Brownback, Durbin, Wicker, and Feingold. The bill defines the objectives of U.S. policy toward Sudan and the tools available to pursue them. "Sudan is facing a defining moment. While the Sudanese must own their future, the United States can help the parties f… Continue Reading
October 11, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Parliamentary Elections In Kyrgyzstan
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement in response to Sunday's parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, the first elections since a new Constitution was adopted in June, making Kyrgyzstan the first parliamentary republic in Central Asia: "This weekend, the people of Kyrgyzstan went to the polls in a historic vote that could create Central Asia's first parliamentary democracy. In doing so, they sent an important signal about … Continue Reading
October 08, 2010
Chairman Kerry On Tom Donilon Succeeding General Jones As National Security Adviser
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement today praising President Obama's selection of Tom Donilon as his new national security adviser and thanking General James Jones for his exemplary service in the post: "Tom Donilon has provided critical advice to Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. No one is better prepared to take over the vital job of national security adviser at this critical moment in history … Continue Reading
October 07, 2010
Chairman Kerry: Diplomacy Urgent As Vote To Split Sudan Nears
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) wrote an op-ed that appears today on CNN's website, titled "Diplomacy Urgent as Vote to Split Sudan Nears." Chairman Kerry has written bipartisan legislation, the Sudan Peace and Stability Act of 2010, which reasserts U.S. leadership and commitment to working toward peace throughout Sudan. In April 2009, he traveled to Sudan, going to both Khartoum and Darfur, for high-level discussions and meetings with NCP, SPLM… Continue Reading
September 30, 2010
Chairman Kerry: Senate Confirms Next Ambassador To Pakistan
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Last night, the Senate unanimously passed the nomination of Cameron Munter to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry released the following statement: "I am pleased that before departing for recess last night, the Senate unanimously confirmed Cameron Munter to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan. Given the importance of our relationship with Pakistan and the many issues we are trying to tackle together to … Continue Reading
September 30, 2010
Chairman Kerry: U.S. Senate Approves Hague Convention On The International Recovery Of Child Support And Other Forms Of Family Maintenance
Washington, DC - Last night, the Senate approved a treaty that will make it easier for Americans to recover child support payments from a non-custodial parent living abroad. The Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance is a multilateral treaty that promotes the establishment, recognition, and enforcement of child support obligations in cases where the custodial parent and child are in one country and the non-custodial parent is in ano… Continue Reading
September 30, 2010
Chairman Kerry: U.S. Senate Approves Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties With The United Kingdom And Australia
Washington, DC - Last night the Senate provided its advice and consent to ratification of Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties with the United Kingdom and with Australia. Earlier this week, Congress passed accompanying legislation to implement the treaties in the United States. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) worked with Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN) to craft the resolutions with which the Senate approved the treaties, as well as the accompanying legislation. … Continue Reading
September 24, 2010
Senators Kerry And Webb Support Strong U.S. Engagement With Southeast Asia
Washington, D.C.--Corresponding with the second ASEAN-United States summit in New York City, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb (D-VA), issued the following statements announcing the Senate's unanimous passage of a resolution supporting recent and ongoing U.S. efforts to engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member-states. "Recent tensions in East Asia drive home the sig… Continue Reading
