Ranking Member's Press
Chairman Kerry Opening Statement At Hearing On “Banking on Reform: Capital Increase Proposals from the Multilateral Development Banks”
Washington, D.C. - This morning, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) held a hearing on increased funding for the Multilateral Development Banks. The full text of his statement as prepared is below: Thank you all for coming today. We are here to discuss proposed increases in the capital we provide to Multilateral Development Banks. We're fortunate to be joined by three policymakers who can speak directly to the new burdens these banks have taken on and the challenge… Continue Reading
September 13, 2010
Chairman Kerry On Sudanese Referendum
Washington, DC-Ahead of next week's high-level meeting on Sudan at the United Nations, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement about the January 9, 2011 referendum on the independence of southern Sudan: "In less than four months, Southern Sudan is scheduled to vote in a referendum on independence under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005. It is urgent that North and South reach crucial agreements on how they will manage this refe… Continue Reading
September 01, 2010
Chairman Kerry On Middle East Peace Talks
Washington, DC-Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement today ahead of tomorrow's direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians: "This is a moment of both promise and peril for the Middle East. I applaud the resumption of direct peace talks between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas. President Obama is right to dedicate himself and his government to the cause of peace in the Middle East, one of the world's most intractabl… Continue Reading
August 31, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The End Of The U.S. Combat Mission In Iraq
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Following President Obama's Oval Office address on the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement: "The war over the war is over, and regardless of what anyone felt about the invasion and the conduct of the war over the past seven and a half years, the question is what comes next and what happens now. While America's war may be ending, the struggle for Iraq's future is not. That outcome wi… Continue Reading
August 26, 2010
Chairman Kerry Calls For The Immediate Return Of Two American Children Abducted To Egypt
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement today about the illegal abduction of two American children, Noor and Ramsay Bower: "This is a tragic situation and my heart goes out to Colin Bower who has not been able to see his children for over a year. The case is clear: two young boys were taken illegally to Egypt by their mother in blatant contravention of a U.S. court ruling that granted the father sole custody. This is any pa… Continue Reading
August 20, 2010
Following Meeting With Chairman Kerry, President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan Pledges To Allow Anti-Corruption Units to Operate Independently
Washington, DC - Following a meeting on Friday in Kabul with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John F. Kerry (D-MA), President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan pledged to allow two Afghan anti-corruption units to operate independently and free of political influence. The two organizations, the Major Crimes Task Force and the Sensitive Investigative Unit, were involved earlier this month in the arrest of a Karzai administration official in connection with a corruption investigation. Both gr… Continue Reading
August 20, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Resumption Of Direct Middle East Peace Negotiations
Washington, DC -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement after today's announcement that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas intend to resume direct talks in September: "I applaud today's announcement by Secretary Clinton and Senator Mitchell that direct peace negotiations between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas will begin in Washington on September 2. A viable two-state solution is … Continue Reading
August 10, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Arrest Of Abu Bakar Bashir
Washington, DC -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement in response to the arrest of Abu Bakar Bashir, alleged lead role in a terrorist group affiliated with Al Qaeda: "I applaud the work of the Indonesian police, prosecutors, and intelligence agencies for arresting Abu Bakar Bashir. Bashir is believed to lead the notorious terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, an affiliate of Al Qaeda which is responsible for such atrocities as the killing of … Continue Reading
August 05, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Constitutional Referendum In Kenya
Washington, DC -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement in response to yesterday's constitutional referendum in Kenya: "Yesterday's referendum on the new constitution in Kenya was an important step forward for the nation's democratic process. Provisional results and statements by Kenyan leaders indicate the referendum will probably pass. While we are still waiting for official results, I support the thousands of Kenyan citizens who participa… Continue Reading
August 03, 2010
Chairman Kerry Introduces Legislation To Create A Professional Exchange Program With Muslim-Majority Countries
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) introduced the International Professional Exchange Act of 2010, which will establish a two-way professional exchange program between the United States and select Muslim-majority countries to promote career development and cross-cultural understanding for young to mid-career professionals. During his speech in Cairo last year, President Obama called for a new beginning between the United States and the world's Muslim… Continue Reading
August 03, 2010
Chairman Kerry: Vote On New START Treaty To Be Held Following The August Recess
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the follow statement after announcing that a vote on the New START Treaty would be rescheduled: "Today I informed members of the Foreign Relations Committee that a vote on the New START Treaty will be rescheduled for after the August recess. This was in response to requests from some colleagues for more time to review materials concerning the treaty's ratification, including reports from the Armed Services a… Continue Reading
August 03, 2010
Chairman Kerry On The Historic Flooding in Pakistan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to the worst floods in Pakistan's history, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today issued the following statement: "I offer my deepest sympathy to the victims of the deadly floods which have afflicted northwest Pakistan this week. Over 1,400 people have died and an estimated three million people have been affected so far according to U.N. estimates, most of them in areas that have suffered years of Taliban violence and decades of econom… Continue Reading
July 30, 2010
Kerry, Lugar Call For Pakistani-American Enterprise Fund
Washington, D.C.- Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) introduced legislation yesterday, S. 3665, that will lead to the establishment of the "Pakistani-American Enterprise Fund," to focus on strengthening the private sector in Pakistan using existing funds from the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid package passed by Congress last year. The legislation will help empower Pakistan's private sector to create jobs, which will contribute toward increasing econo… Continue Reading
July 29, 2010
Kerry, Lugar call for Pakistani-American Enterprise Fund
Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Dick Lugar (R-IN) and John Kerry (D-MA) introduced legislation today, S. 3665, that would lead to the establishment of the "Pakistan-American Enterprise Fund," to focus on strengthening the private sector in Pakistan using existing funds from the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid package passed by Congress last year. The legislation will help to empower Pakistan's private sector to create jobs, which will contribute toward increasing economic growth and stability. The Fund i… Continue Reading
July 26, 2010
Chairman Kerry On Cambodia Tribunal Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued the following statement today in response to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia's (ECCC) sentencing of Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, to 19 years in prison: "Today's sentencing helps deliver an important message that we must steadfastly pursue justice for the victims of the world's most horrific crimes. The conviction of the head of the Khmer Rouge's most infamous prison represents a… Continue Reading
July 25, 2010
Statement By Chairman Kerry On Leaked Documents On Afghanistan And Pakistan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement this evening in response to the New York Times story on the leak of classified documents concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan: "However illegally these documents came to light, they raise serious questions about the reality of America's policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan. Those policies are at a critical stage and these documents may very well underscore the stakes and make the… Continue Reading
July 20, 2010
Key Democratic Senators Support Obama Administration’s Decision To Move Forward On U.S.-Korea Trade
Washington, D.C.---Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb (D-VA), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Mark Begich (D-AK), along with five Democratic senators, today endorsed the President's call for a prompt resolution of outstanding issues to the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). In a letter to President Obama, the senators argue that it is in the economic and security interests of the Un… Continue Reading
July 15, 2010
Senate Foreign Relations Committee To Hold Hearing On Lockerbie Bombing
Washington, DC -Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today announced that the Committee will hold a public hearing on July 29th on the circumstances surrounding last year's release of Abdel Basset Mohamed al-Megrahi, the Libyan official who was convicted of orchestrating the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988. "I opposed Megrahi's release on medical grounds last year as a travesty and the details that have emerged in recent days in the press have raised new concerns,… Continue Reading
July 15, 2010
George Shultz And Sam Nunn Urge Ratification Of The New START Treaty
Washington, DC - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) today welcomed a letter co-written by former Secretary of State George Shultz and former Senator Sam Nunn who strongly endorsed the New START Treaty and called for its expeditious ratification. Shultz and Nunn also sent an identical letter to Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN). Shultz and Nunn wrote: "Noting the full support of the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and… Continue Reading
July 14, 2010
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Releases Volumes Of Previously Classified Transcripts From Vietnam Era Hearings
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairman John Kerry and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are releasing more than 1,000 pages of previously classified testimony and transcripts from closed hearings in 1967 and 1968, a tumultuous period in U.S. history that echoes many of the issues confronting the country today. In authorizing release of the declassified material, Senator Kerry said: "These transcripts and testimony were selected because they shed light on an important period of American history and al… Continue Reading
