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Mike Gravel on Iraq and Foreign Policy
The opposite of our present interventionism is not isolationism, but a new internationalism which embodies the same kind of participation as other, smaller nations have engaged in for decades--diplomatic discourse, active cooperation and assistance through the UN, trade and travel, and other forms of cooperation. Ironically, it has been the so-called "internationalists" who have isolated Americans, deciding for our allies what their military postures should be, setting up and toppling non-conforming client states, and forbidding travel, trade, and even diplomatic representation with many communist countries. The new internationalism will incorporate military nonintervention, the tolerance of revolutionary politics, and a reassessment of the inequalities of enjoyment of the planet's resources, which are so vastly, and precariously, in our favor for this historical moment. We must demonstrate renewed respect for international law and institutions, as our best hope for creating the conditions for peace.
Citizen Power, by Sen. Mike Gravel, p. 56-58 Jan 1, 1972
Q: What about American troops in Darfur? GRAVEL: The problem is because we haven't owned up to our responsibilities to a sense of global governance. And so now, you've got a situation where the US wants to go in, but the African nations don't want us there. What's the message? They're afraid of us. They're flat afraid of us.
2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC Jul 23, 2007
My position on North Korea is unambiguous: I would initiate bi-lateral talks between the US and North Korea that complement the multi-lateral talks. I would make it clear to the North Korean government that proceeding with a nuclear program is not in its long term best interests while keeping other minor regional players abreast of negotiations. Artful and aggressive diplomacy can be even more lethal but less dangerous than the use of military force and thus will be the cornerstone of my foreign policy.
The Gravel Report, vol. 1, no. 1, "The High Road" Aug 15, 2006
Gravel says the U.S., its allies, and regional actors should "sponsor direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, including Hamas" to forge a two-state solution.
Signed letter with forty-eight former members of the United States Senate against the U.S. embargo of Cuba.
Terrorism is fought best by thoughtful, honest intelligence and dogged police work, and by building economic opportunities for those who feel hopeless. The U.S. should lead an effort of willing nations to create a global intelligence institution and a global police organization, similar to NATO. Terrorism is a global problem that requires a coordinated global response, not just with intelligence and police work, but with creative economic and humanitarian programs.
Speech at the N.H. Institute of Politics, Manchester NH Nov 1, 2006
The US has systematically undercut the power of the UN and used it for our own purposes. We use our influence to secure a UN cover for our intervention in Korea. We deliberately ignored efforts by the UN to produce a peaceful settlement in Vietnam. The US, as the most powerful country, must now lead the way in building up the power and capacity of the UN to act effectively in areas of conflict. In the long-run, I believe the UN must develop into the primary peace-keeping force on earth, and we should take the lead in this development. A more powerful UN must grow slowly, applying its influence initially in regions where the conflicts of interest are limited and where the parties involved want to avoid war and seek peace. Beyond this, it can apply sanctions in cases of colonial oppression to permit independence movements to achieve legitimate ends. And it can maintain a permanent stand-by peace force, to serve as a presence whenever armed conflict threatens.
Citizen Power, by Sen. Mike Gravel, p. 58-59 Jan 1, 1972
The critical problem with nuclear proliferation is that more and more nuclear bombs are added to the world's stock pile. There are already too many nuclear devices on earth today--regardless of who owns them. I propose we cut the number of our nuclear devices from the more than 10,000 we have to a couple hundred. Such a unilateral action would establish the United States' credibility to then ask other nations, including our "enemies" who would then feel less threatened, to join our efforts in ridding the world of unneeded and dangerous nukes. This would set the stage for us to convene a global conference to write a new nuclear non-proliferation treaty. What I propose is to jumpstart what was agreed to in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1970 and extended in 1995 by all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the original Nuclear Club (the US, Russia, China, Great Britain, and France) -- they agreed to reduce and eventually eliminate their nuclear arsenals.
Speech at the N.H. Institute of Politics, Manchester NH Nov 1, 2006
We made a grave mistake. We should have the courage to admit it. We must bring our troops home now--not six months from now, not a year from now--NOW! The Democrats need to act resolutely--and I'm not talking about some mealy-mouthed, nonbinding resolutions.
Speech at Democratic National Committee winter meeting Feb 3, 2007
"The three point I want to bring to the plan I am suggesting, it's guaranteed to work, to end the war by Labor Day and to have all of our troops home by Christmas."
If elected, Gravel says he will 'call for a U.S. corporate withdrawal from Iraq and hand over reconstruction contacts to Iraqi businesses which will empower Iraqi nationals to reconstruct their own country.'
Gravel said on his website that he wants to begin "an immediate and orderly withdrawal" of all U.S. troops in Iraq "that will have them home within 120 days." He would pursue "aggressive diplomacy" to end sectarian violence in Iraq.
Gravel has consistently criticized President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq, including his call in January 2007 to temporarily boost U.S. troops there to combat sectarian violence and help Iraqis achieve independence.
Not only has Gravel opposed the so-called "surge" but has been disheartened and disappointed with the Democratic Party response saying "The democratic majority must decide on a unified policy to get out of Iraq. Non-binding resolutions will not get the job done." He urges the Democrats "to respond to the will of the American people and demand an end to the Iraq war."
"When Nixon got elected, he said, 'I got a plan to end the war.' Keep in mind it took him four years and we doubled the amount of casualties under his tenure. I suspect we are going in the same direction. So when people talk about ending the war, I'm talking about not repositioning the troops. Bring them home! We don't need to be the policemen of the world."
Q: A lot of the time you've spent with the other Democratic candidates debating around the country has been arguing about what to do about Iraq. What would you do? GRAVEL: Get out. Get out as soon as possible so that we can begin a diplomatic effort. And I could get the troops out in 120 days. Never mind this year stuff, or two years, or four years.The people who say we should stay there, they want to continue to control the oil. I wouldn't spend one ounce of American blood for any amount of oil coming out of Iraq. We're using our treasure to get control of the Titanic. We should be getting off of oil.