International Affairs Issues

Iraq

Congressman Baca has always believed that there was a diplomatic solution to the Iraq crisis. That is why he voted for a resolution authorizing President Bush to go to the United Nations in October 2002. Unfortunately, on March 17, 2003, President Bush closed the diplomatic window and our nation went to war. Since then, our soldiers have been in harms way, fighting and dying in a foreign land. It is important to do everything we can to see that our troops have the equipment and support they need to come home safe. Congressman Baca voted to get our troops home safe when he voted for the Administration's Iraq supplemental spending bill. Now is the time to discuss the policies and intelligence that pushed our nation onto this path. The American public and our troops overseas deserve to know how the Administration plans on protecting our troops and getting them home safe. But our inquires must not distract us. We must show support for our troops and rally to their side.

Israel - Palestinian Peace Process

On June 4, 2003 President Bush met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and then Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in Aqaba, Jordan. During the summit, Sharon and Abbas discussed the "road map" to peace. Since then however, the "road map" has been riddled with violence and Palestinian political instability. Congressman Baca believes that before peace negotiations can take place, terrorism must cease. He also believes that the Administration must support Israel and work towards a solution that is both fair and sustainable. The welfare of Israel and the Middle East depend on a fair and just peace agreement.

North Korea
In October 2002, the North Korean government revealed that they have maintained a secret nuclear weapons program in violation of both the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the 1994 Agreed Framework with the United States. The revelation is both shocking and disturbing. This only reinforces Congressman Baca's belief that we are living in a dangerous world. The world must be made safer. North Korea cannot be allowed to mass-produce nuclear weapons. The United States cannot be resigned to living next to a North Korea that is a nuclear superpower. While Congressman Baca supports the Bush administration's efforts to resolve this manner in a diplomatic fashion, he strongly believes that the Bush administration should be actively engaging North Korea to resolve this crisis. It should be treating the crisis with the urgency it deserves. It is critical that the Administration make every effort to convince North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-Il, that the United States and the international community will not accept his nuclear ambitions. The safety of our children and grandchildren depends on it.

International Affairs Issues

Iraq

Related Links