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Washington, DC -- Following President Obama’s remarks on Libya, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) issued this statement: “President Obama’s stern ultimatum to Qaddafi is the right message. There must be a full cessation of hostilities immediately. The cease-fire announcement just hours after the UN...

Washington, DC – Following passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing a no-fly zone and other action in Libya, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), along with Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT),  issued the following joint statement: “We applaud tonight’s...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing today on the “Popular Uprisings in the Middle East: The Implications for U.S. Policy.” Ambassador Bill Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Department of State, testified before the Committee. During the hearing, Kerry called...

Washington, DC – In a speech today on U.S. Policy toward the Middle East at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) stressed that the United States must play a constructive role in the process of political and economic reform in the region to help affirm the value of...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement after learning that Raymond Davis has been released by the Government of Pakistan: “This was a very important and necessary step for both of our countries to be able to maintain our relationship and remain focused on progress...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.), today reintroduced legislation to drive job creation and increase America’s global competiveness by helping immigrant entrepreneurs secure visas...

Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, a Cuban court sentenced USAID American contractor Alan Gross to 15 years in prison for distributing satellite communications gear to Cubans in a manner that the court deemed a violation of Cuban law.  Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement: “I am...

Washington, D.C.—Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement on the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan early this morning: "Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Japan as they seek to cope with a devastating earthquake and tsunami.  Japan is our...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) joined today with Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) in announcing plans to introduce legislation creating two new enterprise funds for Egypt and Tunisia. These funds support private entrepreneurs and businesses and help create jobs to further economic...

Washington, D.C. –To mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement: “Today, on International Women’s Day, we take time not only to honor the contributions of women around the world, but to pledge our support and...

Washington, D.C.—Beginning today, Serbia and Kosovo will hold direct talks for the first time since Kosovo declared independence three years ago. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released a statement commending the European Union sponsored talks to address a number of disputed issues, including border...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing this afternoon on “Navigating a Turbulent Global Economy - Implications for the United States.”  Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner testified before the Committee.  Full text of Chairman Kerry’s statement as...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement on the possible removal of Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus as Managing Director of the Grameen Bank, which he founded:  “I am deeply concerned by efforts to remove Muhammad Yunus as managing director of...

Washington, DC – During today’s foreign affairs budget hearing, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) unveiled plans to develop a new package of significant financial assistance to promote democracy and economic transformation in the Arab world. Chairman Kerry stated: “Events this powerful demand a response...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing this morning on national security and the foreign policy priorities in President Obama’s 2012 international affairs budget. Full text of Chairman Kerry’s statement as prepared: Madame Secretary, it is a pleasure to see you again, and...

Washington, D.C. –During this morning’s foreign affairs budget hearing, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) again called for Colonel Moammar Qadhafi to step down and urged consideration of a no-fly zone over Libya.  “We have joined with allies in making clear that Col. Qadhafi must go.  He has...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released a statement condemning today’s assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Minister for Minority Affairs, outside his home in Islamabad: “Mr. Bhatti was a brave defender of all of Pakistan's religious and ethnic minorities and his death...

Washington, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) chaired a hearing this morning on the troubling developments on the Korean Peninsula and what can be done to break North Korea’s cycle of provocations.  Two panels of witnesses, including Special Representative Stephen Bosworth, Assistant Secretary Kurt...

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released the following statement to announce Foreign Relations Committee subcommittee chairmanships for the 112th Congress:  “The challenges we face this year are enormous, and we have an outstanding group of subcommittee chairs to tackle the issues...

Washington, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released a report today written by the Committee’s majority staff that draws attention to the growing problem of water scarcity in Central and South Asia and how it has the potential to exacerbate existing regional conflicts and lead to new ones.  The...