Kerry Pledges to Fight a More Effective War on Terror (read this)

[WilliamPitt]

For Immediate Release
September 24, 2004


Kerry Pledges to Fight a More Effective War on Terror

Philadelphia, PA - Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry Friday
pledged to fight a more effective war on terror, using America's full
force to destroy the terrorists before they get us.

Delivering remarks in Philadelphia, Kerry vowed to wage the war on
terror with a single-minded determination on capturing or killing the
terrorists, crushing their movement and freeing the world from fear.

"My fellow Americans, the most urgent national security challenge we
face is the war against those who attacked our country on September
11th, the war against Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda," Kerry said. "As
president, I will fight a tougher, smarter, more effective war on
terror. My priority will be to find and capture or kill the terrorists
before they get us - and I will never take my eye off the ball."

Since September 11th, President Bush has made the wrong choices in the
war on terror, from letting Osama Bin Laden escape our grasp to failing
to implement the 9/11 recommendations to diverting resources from
fighting al Qaeda.

"George Bush made Saddam Hussein the priority," Kerry said. "I would
have made Osama bin Laden the priority. As president, I will finish the
job in Iraq and refocus our energies on the real war on terror."

Today terrorists are striking across the globe, with more terrorist
attacks in the world last year than the year before. The president has
said this war cannot be won, and then said something different. The
Defense Secretary has questioned whether the radicals are recruiting and
training more terrorists than we are capturing or killing.

In his remarks, Kerry laid out seven key points in his plan to win the
war on terror.

First, Kerry will strengthen our military. His plan will transform the
world's most powerful military to better address the modern threats of
terrorism and proliferation. Second, he will deny terrorists the
weapons they seek by securing nuclear materials worldwide and
implementing port and bio-terrorism security strategies.

Third, Kerry will cut off terrorist finances, and fourth, he will make
homeland security a real priority, backed up by real resources.

Fifth, Kerry will launch a strategy to win the war of ideas to prevent
terrorists from poisoning more minds. Sixth, he will promote democracy
and freedom throughout the Muslim world.

Finally, Kerry will rebuild America's strong alliances, critical not
only to our military operations but in everything we do to track down
and capture terrorists.

As Kerry said, "If we again become that beacon of hope, we will discover
in ourselves the most powerful and useful weapons in the war against the
terrorists. Because if we are true to ourselves, terrorists cannot
defeat the values and vision that have made America great."

-30-

GEORGE W. BUSH IS FAILING IN THE WAR ON TERROR

Three years after 9/11, global terrorism is increasing and al Qaeda and
Osama bin Laden still threaten America. George W. Bush has made crucial
mistakes and the wrong choices in all aspects of the war on terror. It
is clearly time to change course to keep America safe.

terrorism is on the rise and al qaeda and bin laden still threaten
america

Global Terrorism is Increasing: Terrorist attacks increased from 2002 to
2003, and since 9/11 the number of terrorist incidents around the world
has increased to the highest level in 20 years. <"2003 Patterns of[br />Global Terrorism (amended)," U.S. Department of State]

Thousands of Al Qaeda Militants are Operating Globally: There are an
estimated 18,000 militants operating in 60 countries who have been
trained by al Qaeda. Al Qaeda has cooperative relationships with at
least 20 extremist groups in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. 5/23/03; BBC, 5/25/04; 9/11 Commission Report, 7/22/04]

Al Qaeda Regrouping and Strengthening: While the president has claimed
that much of al Qaeda's leadership has been killed or captured, new
evidence suggests that the organization is regenerating and bringing in
new blood.

Bin Laden and Al Qaeda Still At Large and Plotting Against America:
Senior administration officials admit that 3 years after 9/11, bin Laden
and his chief lieutenants are directing al Qaeda to launch an attack in
America this year. And Major General Eric Olson, the commanding general
of Combined Joint Task Forces in Afghanistan, admits that the U.S.
military has no idea where bin Laden or his top deputy Ayman al-Zawahri
are.

Al Qaeda Has a U.S. Presence: According to U.S. law enforcement
authorities, al Qaeda sleeper cells continue to recruit and operate in
the United States.

Al Qaeda is Adapting: Al Qaeda is developing more sophisticated
communications systems to evade detection and terrorist groups now
effectively use the Internet to get new recruits. Technology Daily, 3/22/04]

bush: CRUCIAL MIstakes in every ASPECT of the war ON TERROR

Military

Gravest Error was Allowing bin Laden to Escape: Administration and
military officials admit that failing to go after a cornered bin Laden
was the "gravest error" in the war on terror.

Bush Diverted Critical Resources in the Hunt for bin Laden to Iraq: Up
to half of the intelligence and special forces hunting for bin Laden
were diverted from Afghanistan to Iraq. Service, 9/5/03]

Bush Shifted $700 Million From Afghanistan to Iraq: In summer 2002, Bush
shifted $700 million from supplemental funding for Afghanistan to
"preparatory tasks" in the Persian Gulf region aimed at accommodating a
massive U.S. troop deployment.

Bush Diverted "the Perfect Weapon" From the Hunt for Bin Laden to Iraq:
Bush removed nearly all the Predator UAVs from Afghanistan in early
2002. According to a Senior Senate Intelligence Committee member,
pulling the "perfect weapon" from Afghanistan for Iraq undermined the
war against al Qaeda in Afghanistan. pg.121]

Afghanistan is on the Brink of Again Becoming a Terrorist Haven: The
Administration neglected Afghanistan to the point where it is now in
danger of again becoming a terrorist breeding ground. Development Report, 3/30/04]

Pakistan-Afghan Border Remains Key Sanctuary for Terrorists: Despite
record levels of U.S. aid to Pakistan, the Bush administration has
failed to secure more aggressive cooperation in tracking down
terrorists. The Pakistan-Afghan border remains one of the world 's major
sanctuaries for terrorists. 8/10/04]

Violence Against Americans in Afghanistan is Increasing: More than twice
as many Americans have been killed in combat already in 2004 than in all
of 2003.

Drug Trade is Funding al Qaeda and the Taliban: Afghanistan now
accounts for 75% of total world opium production and heroin-trafficking
has become a principal source of funding for the Taliban and al-Qaeda
terrorists.

Intelligence

Fewer Experienced Intelligence Agents Tracking bin Laden Now: The CIA
has fewer experienced case officers hunting Osama bin Laden than it did
on 9/11 and there has been no systematic effort to groom al Qaeda
expertise among C.I.A. officers since then.

Bush Opposed 9-11 Commission: After opposing the 9/11 Commission and
neglecting intelligence reform for over three years, the Bush
administration introduced an intelligence reform plan that still falls
short of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations. 9/17/04; ABC News, 9/20/02]

Administration Ally Chalabi Reportedly Leaked Crucial Intelligence:
Former administration confidant Ahmad Chalabi reportedly leaked to Iran
- the world's most active sponsor of terrorism - that the U.S. had
broken its secret intelligence code.

Administration Leak Ends Key CIA al Qaeda Sting Operation: In June,
2004, the administration leaked the identity of an al Qaeda computer
expert involved in a key undercover CIA sting operation - which had led
to the arrests of other terrorists - while explaining the decision to
raise the terror alert.

Keeping Nuclear Weapons Away from Terrorists

Failed Diplomacy as North Korea and Iran Advance Nuclear Weapons
Programs: Failed diplomacy has allowed nuclear programs in Iran and
North Korea to advance - new intelligence reports show that North Korea
may now have produced enough fuel to triple or quadruple its nuclear
arsenal.

Less Nuclear Material Secured After 9/11: The amount of nuclear material
secured in the two years immediately following the 9/11 attacks was
actually less than the amount secured in the two years immediately
before the attacks.

Failure to Provide Sufficient Funding: The Bush administration requested
only a 2 percent increase in funding for WMD securing programs after
9/11.

Cutting-off Financing

Diplomatic Failure Leads to Delays in Shutting Down Key Source of
Terrorist Financing: According to the 9/11 Commission, the
administration's ineffective diplomacy and failure to share intelligence
led to a lengthy delay in getting the Saudis to shut down Al Haramian, a
charity that was a major source of terrorist funding. <9/11 Commission[br />"Monograph on Terrorist Funding," 8/04]

Administration Rejects Funding Increases: The administration refused a
request by the IRS to increase investigators of terrorist financing by
50% to save $12 million in FY '05.

Asset Seizures Slowing: Since 9/11, the United States and its
international partners have seized $200 million in terrorist assets, but
the seizure rate has dramatically slowed between 2002 and 2003. Department of Treasury, "Progress on the war on terrorist funding,"
9/11/03; New York Times, 12/12/03]

Homeland Security

Opposed Creation of Department of Homeland Security: Bush opposed
creation of DHS, telling Congress that "there does not need to be a
Cabinet-level Office of Homeland Security." Briefing, 10/24/01]

Bush Thinks Homeland Security is Not a Federal Responsibility: Despite
obvious threats to our infrastructure, there is no national plan. Bush
believes that safeguarding the nation's critical infrastructure is not
even a federal responsibility. Affairs, September/October 2004]

Insufficient Funding for Port Security: We can currently verify the
contents of only 4-6% of the 21,000 containers that enter the United
States every day - yet we spend more in four days in Iraq than we have
spent in the three years since 9/11 on protecting our commercial
seaports. Post, 9/17/04; Stephen Flynn, Meet the Press, 7/18/04]

Failure to Secure Chemical Plants: There are 123 chemical plants that
could threaten more than one million nearby residents, and 7,728
chemical plants where an attack could endanger more than 1,000 - yet
Bush decided in 2002 to drop chemical plant security regulations, a
major victory for chemical manufacturers who have contributed at least
$1.5 million to his campaigns. Risk, 1/04]

Air Cargo Still Not Screened for Explosives: Twenty-two percent of the
nation's air cargo travels on passenger flights, and 2.8 million tons of
cargo is transported by passenger planes annually - yet the TSA
continues to not screen air cargo for explosives. 11/20/03]

Failure to Get Funds to First Responders: A U.S. Conference of Mayors
report found that 76% of cities had not received critical infrastructure
and first responder funding, the exact same number of cities that
reported not receiving funding 5 months earlier. Mayors, "Third Report to the Nation," 6/25/04]

No Rail Security Strategy: More than 2 million rail cars and 500 train
stations are used by millions of commuters in America each day - yet DHS
still lacks a strategy to defend the railways and the same day of the
Madrid attacks the Bush Administration cut essential DHS funds 11/01/01; TSA 7/15/04; GAO-03-435]

Winning the War of Ideas

Public Diplomacy in Shambles: U.S. public diplomacy is "worse than
failing" according to a member of a White House-appointed advisory group
on public diplomacy. Even Condoleezza Rice recently admitted the
administration's public diplomacy efforts are disorganized.


Weak Effort to Reach Out to the Middle East: One State Department
official even went so far as calling Bush's Broader Middle East
Democracy Initiative "feel-good mumbo jumbo," asking "If this is so
important, where's the money?"

America's Standing in the World Has Plummeted: With our NATO Allies: A
majority of people polled in Germany, France, and Turkey - and half of
all Britons - believe the Iraq war undermined the fight against
terrorism. And Particularly in the Muslim World: Three years after 9/11,
even in many moderate Muslim countries like Jordan and Morocco, Osama
bin Laden is more popular than the United States of America. Global Attitudes Project, 3/16/04]

Exchange Programs Declining: Long considered one of the most effective
ways of bolstering a positive U.S. image abroad, international education
exchange programs have decreased significantly under this
administration. Visa applications are down nearly 24% since 2001, and
international graduate school applications are down 32% since 2003.
<"Foreign Students and Homeland Security: Issues and Answers," Heritage[br />Foundation, 8/2/04]

Rumsfeld: We Are Putting Little Effort into Long Term Plan: "With
respect to global terrorism, the record since September 11th seems to be
... We are having mixed results with Al Qaida... Today, we lack metrics
to know if we are winning or losing the global war on terror. Are we
capturing, killing or deterring and dissuading more terrorists every day
than the madrassas and the radical clerics are recruiting, training and
deploying against us? ... The US is putting relatively little effort
into a long-range plan ..." Terrorism," Rumsfeld, 10/16/03; Reprinted in USA Today, 10/22/03]

Denying Terrorist Sanctuaries

Bush Has No Serious Failed States Strategy: While Bush's 2002 National
Security Strategy states, "America is now threatened less by conquering
states than we are by failing ones," - the White House still must "match
that rhetoric with action" for 31 countries that lack the capacity to
stop terrorist groups from operating within their borders. National Security Strategy, 2002, Center for Global Development, "On the
Brink," 5/04]

9/11 Commission: Much to be Done on Failed States: 9/11 Commission says
much remains to be done to identify and prioritize actual or potential
terrorist sanctuaries and that Bush needs a realistic strategy to keep
possible terrorists insecure and on the run. <9/11 Commission Report,[br />7/22/04]

Millennium Challenge Account Doesn't Help Failed States: George Bush's
Millennium Challenge Account, which still hasn't distributed a single
dollar and is only funded at 20% of the President's own funding
estimates, won't help failed states because they don't have the
institutional capacity to meet the benchmark criteria for receiving
funding. Report of the bi-partisan Commission on Post-Conflict Reconstruction,
January 2003]

Bush Policy Toward Saudi Arabia Hesitant and Sporadic: Bush's policy
toward oil-rich Saudi Arabia has been marked by hesitancy and missteps
for the kingdom's half-hearted efforts to crack down on those who
practice and preach terror. <9/11 Commission, "Monograph on Terrorist[br />Financing," 8/04]

Epidemics Like HIV/AIDS Can Weaken States - Bush cuts Global Fund
Funding by 64%: Bush's FY2005 budget cuts U.S. funding to the Global
Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria by 64% to a meager $200
million.

THE KERRY-EDWARDS PLAN:

John Kerry's Plan for Winning the War on Terror

The most important choices we face are about national security. And the
most urgent national security challenge we face is the war against al
Qaeda and likeminded terrorists around the world. John Kerry has a
comprehensive strategy to win the war on terror and keep America safe.

As president, he will: (1) destroy terrorist networks - by transforming
our military and reforming our intelligence services - and prevent them
from again taking root in Afghanistan; (2) prevent nuclear terrorism;
(3) cut-off sources of terrorist financing; (4) protect the homeland by
securing America's ports, borders, and critical infrastructure,
enhancing chemical, nuclear, aviation and rail security, defending
against bio-terrorism, and providing our first responders the resources
they need; (5) use all elements of our national power to deny new
terrorist recruits and havens and prevent terrorists from poisoning
minds around the world; (6) support democracies in the Arab and Muslim
world; and (7) restore alliances to combat terrorist networks across the
globe.

I. DESTROY TERRORIST NETWORKS. John Kerry has a stronger, smarter
strategy for destroying the terrorists before they can attack us. He
will:

Direct Effective Use of Military Force to Destroy Terrorist Networks.
Kerry will use military force to kill terrorists and destroy their
networks. He will never cede our national security to any other nation
or institution.

Transform the Military to Meet Modern Threats. Kerry will ensure that
our military is fully prepared to meet the new security challenges by:
(1) expanding our active duty forces by 40,000 soldiers so that we have
enough troops to take the fight to the terrorists wherever they are; (2)
doubling America's Special Forces capability and increasing other
specialized personnel who are trained and equipped to destroy
terrorists; (3) completing the process of technological transformation;
(4) redirecting the National Guard to assume homeland security as an
additional mission; and (5) keeping faith with our veterans and military
families.

Reform our Intelligence Services to Prevent Terrorist Attacks. Kerry
will act immediately on the 9-11 Commission recommendations and reform
our intelligence services to better prevent terrorist attacks,
including: (1) creating a National Intelligence Director with real
control over personnel and budgets throughout the intelligence
community; (2) reorganizing the intelligence community around
issue-oriented task forces to maximize coordination and efficiency in
addressing the greatest threats we face; (3) strengthening human
intelligence by doubling the CIA's overseas clandestine personnel; and
(4) ensuring an independent domestic intelligence capability within the
FBI.

Deny Sanctuary in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has become a forgotten front
in the war on terror. Al Qaeda is regrouping and strengthening. Twice
as many American soldiers have died in combat so far this year than in
all of last year. John Kerry will ensure that America finishes the job
we started in Afghanistan, and that the country receives the security,
political, and economic resources it needs. He will:

* Expand NATO Beyond Kabul. As president, Kerry will exercise
real leadership by getting NATO to accelerate the expansion of the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) outside Kabul and commit
to sustaining an expansion of its troops beyond the election period.

* Stop the Drug Trade. Poppy production has exploded over the
past three years, fueling continued instability. Afghanistan now
accounts for 75% of global opium production. To stop the booming drug
trade, Kerry will, among other things, double counter-narcotics
assistance and expedite the growth of an Afghan counter-narcotics force
whose specific mandate is to track down and destroy Afghanistan's
druglords as well as their drug infrastructure and drug processing
facilities.

* Expedite the Warlord Disarmament and Reintegration Program. The
presence of large warlord militias - with as many as 60,000 fighters
across the country - is the principle cause of insecurity and a
challenge to the authority of the Karzai government. Kerry will provide
increased support - including back-up military support where necessary -
to crucial disarmament and demobilization efforts.

* Improve Security Training. Only by strengthening Afghan
security capabilities can Afghanistan be truly safe and secure. Kerry
will strengthen critical security training initiatives, including
bolstering support to the Afghan National Army and national police
training programs.

II. PREVENT NUCLEAR TERRORISM. John Kerry believes that preventing
nuclear terrorism must be our primary national security priority. He
will:

* Secure and Reduce Nuclear Stockpiles. Kerry's plan will
safeguard existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons and materials in the
former Soviet Union within four years, create an international
partnership to establish and enforce an international standard for the
safe custody of nuclear weapons and materials, safeguard nuclear
materials at research reactors around the world, and reduce existing
stockpiles of nuclear weapons and materials.

* Institute a Verifiable Global Ban on the Production of New Bomb
Making Materials. A Kerry administration will end production of fissile
materials for use in nuclear weapons through a Fissile Material Cut-Off
Treaty with real verification mechanisms.

* Lead an International Effort to End Nuclear Weapons Programs in
North Korea and Iran.

North Korea: While the administration has made no meaningful progress in
negotiations over the past 18 months, North Korea has reportedly
quadrupled its nuclear weapons capability. Kerry will work with our
allies to reduce tensions and get the six-party talks with North Korea
back on track. He will also be prepared to talk directly with the North
Koreans because we should speak for ourselves when our security is at
stake. And he will ensure that any final agreement leads to the
verifiable and irreversible elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons
program and addresses the full range of issues of concern to us and our
allies.

Iran: For far too long, the Bush Administration has sat on the
sidelines while Iran has advanced its nuclear program. America needs to
lead because a nuclear armed Iran is unacceptable. John Kerry will make
clear to Iran that America will lead an international effort to push for
tough measures, including sanctions, if Iran does not comply with the
IAEA resolution by permanently suspending its uranium enrichment program
and provide verifiable assurances that it is not trying to develop
nuclear weapons.

* Strengthen the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). As
president, Kerry will work to close the loophole in the NPT that allows
countries to develop nuclear weapons capabilities under the guise of a
civilian nuclear power program, and make adoption of the additional
inspection protocol mandatory.

III. CUT-OFF TERRORIST FINANCING. From his experience leading the
Senate's BCCI investigation, John Kerry understands the importance of
stopping the flow of illicit funds to terrorists. He will: (1) impose
financial sanctions against any bank that fails to cooperate in the
effort to control money laundering, and, if needed, against nations; (2)
work with our allies and the World Bank and international financial
institutions to shut down the financial pipeline to terrorists; (3)
speak openly and plainly about Saudi shortcomings, and get tough with
them when it comes to allowing financing of terrorism and spreading an
anti-American ideology - there will be no sacred cows when it comes to
protecting America; and (4) pursue a plan to make America independent of
Mideast oil so that we can rely on our own innovation and ingenuity.

IV. PROTECT THE HOMELAND. Americans deserve a stronger homeland
security strategy that protects us from the threats we face. Kerry's
comprehensive strategy addresses the critical security gaps that
continue to remain after 4 years of ineffective leadership by George W.
Bush.

* Secure America's Ports and Borders. Currently, the United States
inspects only about 5% of the containers coming into our country. John
Kerry supports a six-fold increase in critical initiatives to inspect
cargo overseas and to subject companies that do not meet minimum
security standards themselves to tougher inspection. Currently, these
programs are woefully under-funded and do impose adequate barriers to
terrorists seeking to attack America. He will work with our allies in
Canada and Mexico as well as our other trade partners to coordinate our
personnel and technology to create the Smart Borders necessary to keep
commerce flowing while keeping terrorists out. And a Kerry
administration will ensure that we create a single, effective, and
integrated terrorist watch list that is accessible to everyone who needs
it, including agents along our borders and the cops on our streets.

* Enhance Aviation. Kerry will implement explosives screening for
airplane passengers and obtain the equipment needed to screen air cargo
just as we screen passenger baggage. To achieve these goals, he will
triple the current level of investment in the purchase and installation
of explosive detection screening equipment. He will also ensure that
our airports have the trained staff necessary to provide the strong and
smarter security America deserves.

* Expand Rail and Subway Security. As president, John Kerry will
make new investments of more than $2 billion to protect our mass transit
systems and improve the security of our rail systems, including the
purchase of more surveillance equipment and better fencing for high-risk
areas.

* Secure America's Chemical Plants and Other Critical
Infrastructure. John Kerry will require chemical plants to develop and
implement security plans, including measures to use less dangerous
chemicals where that is feasible. Kerry will ensure security at our
nuclear plants, including adequate fencing and surveillance, as well as
armed, trained, and competent security forces. Because 85% of our
critical infrastructure is owned by the private sector, Kerry will lead
the effort to establish the public-private partnerships necessary to
devise security precautions that make sense.

* Defend against Bio-terrorism. Kerry will: (1) make the
investments America's public health system needs to detect bioterrorist
threats to our communities, and that our hospitals and emergency rooms
need to contain bioterrorism; (2) improve the capability for our health
system to develop and implement distribution plans for vaccines; (3)
lead efforts to increase and improve our stockpiles of medicines; and
(4) expedite development of new vaccines.

* Provide our First Responders the Resources they Need. America's
first responders need the equipment and manpower to do the job right.
Our local officials shouldn't have to choose between security and public
education - we can do better. To make our homeland security strategy
more efficient, Kerry will bring the people on the front lines together
to design the standard capabilities needed to respond to a terrorist
attack. And he will work to get federal dollars to communities faster
and more efficiently.

V. DENY TERRORISTS SAFE HAVENS AND NEW RECRUITS. John Kerry knows that
to win the war on terror, America must use all elements of national
power to deny terrorists new havens and recruits and prevent terrorists
from poisoning minds around the world. America must show that we are
willing to use our economic power for the common good; to defeat abject
poverty and disease that destroy lives and create failed states in every
part of the world.

Work to Prevent Weak and Failing States from Becoming Terrorist Havens.
Kerry will work with our allies and the international community to
develop comprehensive strategies to strengthen weak states and secure
and rebuild failed states around the world.

* Strategically Target Assistance to Weak and Failed States. As
president, Kerry will provide strategically focused assistance to weak
and failed states to help them build democratic institutions, better
secure their territories, and achieve broad-based economic development.
Kerry will help them increase their capacity to meet the needs of their
citizens for decent, basic education, basic health and disease
prevention services and support the development of small and medium-size
enterprises.

* Develop Rapid Response Capacity. John Kerry will develop an
enlarged country-in-transition fund to enable the U.S. government to
respond swiftly to crises and opportunities in weak and failed states.
With our allies, we will also support initiatives to increase the
capacity of developing countries and regional organizations such as the
African Union and ASEAN to respond rapidly with peacekeeping force to
prevent and resolve conflicts. The United States must provide the
leadership needed for this effort to really succeed.

* Refocus Diplomatic, Intelligence and Other Assets on Failed
States. The 2002 National Security Strategy stated: "America is now
threatened less by conquering states than we are by failing ones." Yet
the Bush administration's distribution of our diplomatic, intelligence
and other assets does not reflect that. A Kerry administration will
ensure that America has the best intelligence possible on weak and
failed states.

* Share Burden with Allies and International Community. America
cannot bear the burden of strengthening weak states and securing and
rebuilding failed states around the world alone - our allies, regional
powers and international institutions must also do their share. Kerry
will rebuild our alliances and bring others in the international
community together to address the risks that failed states pose to
people all over the world.

* Lead a Global Education Initiative. Under a new Global Education
Initiative, America will lead the world to provide universal basic
education by 2015. It is critical that we not only seek to empower
reformers to achieve quality public education through the Arab and
Muslim world - where a lack of funding has helped foster radical schools
that teach hate - but that we also support a global effort for free
universal education throughout Africa and the developing world.
Increasing education in poor nations - especially for girls - has been
shown to be extremely effective in raising incomes, reducing infant
mortality and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

* Cancel the Debt of the World's Poorest Countries. John Kerry
supports wiping clean the debts of the world's most heavily indebted
poor countries (HIPC) that are reforming their economies and investing
in their human capital. Debt relief will give them a fresh start to
invest in health, education, and infrastructure. And Kerry will direct
his Secretary of the Treasury to initiate negotiations with the Paris
Club of Official Creditors, the World Bank, the IMF, and others with the
goal of modifying the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
Initiative to provide substantially greater debt reduction to a broader
set of poor countries. Kerry understands that debt cancellation should
not come at the expense of future foreign aid flows to poor countries.

* Address Global Health Priorities. Epidemics can decimate
societies and contribute to weak and failed states, which can become
safe havens and recruiting grounds for terrorists and other criminal
elements. John Kerry will invest more in health care infrastructure in
weak and failing states, and dedicate greater attention and increased
resources to training health care professionals and community health
care workers. As president, Kerry will double the U.S. funding to fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to $30 billion by 2008 and encourage
other countries, corporations and foundations to do their share. And in
a Kerry administration, global health policy will be driven by science
instead of ideology.

VI. SUPPORT DEMOCRACIES IN THE ARAB AND MUSLIM WORLD. We must
support the development of free and democratic societies in the Arab and
Muslim world to win the war of ideas. While countries like Egypt and
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, have at times helped us in the
hunt for individual terrorists, they have not always been good allies in
turning back the terrorists' cause. In a Kerry administration, America
will be clear with repressive governments in the region that we expect
to see them change, not just for our sake but for their own survival.
And Kerry will restore America's moral authority by leading by example
and by promoting respect for the rule of law.

* Launch a Major Public Diplomacy Initiative. Kerry will lead a
major initiative in public diplomacy to train a new generation of
American scholars, diplomats, military officers, and democracy builders
who understand the Arab and Muslim world, just as we built our knowledge
of the Soviet empire during the Cold War. And Kerry will open
diplomatic posts and invest in academic programs, scholarships and
exchanges with the Muslim world so we can build better bridges and craft
more effective policies.

* Convene a Summit to Increase Mutual Cooperation. As president,
John Kerry will convene - and attend - a summit with European partners
and leaders from the Muslim world to discuss how we can collectively
work together to establish new programs aimed at increasing mutual
understanding, economic growth, and the fight against terror.

VII. RESTORE ALLIANCES TO COMBAT TERRORIST NETWORKS ACROSS THE GLOBE.
Kerry will ensure that America always remains the world's paramount
military power. He will also restore alliances to magnify our power,
and increase intelligence and law enforcement coordination so that we
can stop terrorists hidden around the world before they can strike at
us.

www.johnkerry.com <http://www.johnkerry.com/>

Paid for by Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

[rpannier]

1. His effort couldn't be any LESS effective than scrubs n/t

[drdigi420]

2. kick

[stryker18]

3. I just nominated this.

Very well written. Kerry is crystal clear and to the point.

[Rose Siding]

4. It's great but I don't need to read it

How do we get an undecided/swing (aka brain dead) voter to read it?

It's thorough, well-reasoned, and it drips with smart. In a just world the author would be president. In a just world Bush would be losing bar fights in Midland.

[Windy]

5. copy the transcript and post it on right leaning bulletin boards

At least they'll read it...maybe. Put it in front of their faces. They may not watch him on TV, but I think curiousity will get the better of them if its sitting there in their blog.

[Maestro]

6. Wow, it looks like someone actually

thought out a plan before acting. Much more than shrubco has done.

[democracy eh]

7. Excelent, primo, fantastic, Bammm! but...

I have two hats on

the national security junkie in me laps this up, loves the details, the complexity and the planning.

at the same time
the political junkie in me knows that this needs to be communicated as a sound byte, as a mantra as a simple message that will resonate with voters. This plan will be the proof for that mantra that Kerry knows what he is doing and can back up his words.

there needs to be an quick, simple, bang version.

something like:
Fighting terror Smarter

contrast the style of the plan with GW's cowboy talk with no plan and no grasp of the complexities.

the rest of the campaign needs to be be built around this plan and the message that GW is not making you safer and Kerry will do a better job. that is what the election is about.

Thank you Kerry

[Demi_Babe]

8. I just nominated this thread

:-)