Cincinnati, OH - Speaking at the 105th annual convention of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars (VFW), Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry today pledged to
a build a stronger, more secure America as President. A decorated combat
veteran, Kerry said he will never break America’s promise to those who wear the
uniform and will strengthen the military and utilize all the powers in
America’s arsenal to meet the threats we face today.
Directly addressing remarks made by President Bush at the VFW convention on
Monday, Kerry said Bush’s plan to withdraw 70,000 troops from Asia and Europe
undermines our nation's security, particularly in addressing North Korea’s
nuclear program and in fighting the war on terror.
“Nobody wants to bring troops home more than those of us who have fought in
foreign wars. But it needs to be done at the right time and in a sensible way.
This is not that time or that way,” Kerry said. “For example, why are we
unilaterally withdrawing 12,000 troops from the Korean Peninsula at the very
time we are negotiating with North Korea – a country that really has nuclear
weapons?”
Kerry warned that, “With al Qaeda operating in 60 countries, we need closer
alliances in every part of the world to fight and win the war on terrorism.”
He said that “the hastily announced plan raises more doubts about our
intentions and our commitments than it provides real answers” and that it “in
no way relieves the strain on our overextended military personnel.”
In a May 2004 report, the Congressional Budget Office concluded that pulling
back troops from Europe and Asia will be expensive, producing “at best only
small improvements in the United States' ability to respond to far-flung
conflicts” and potentially increases family separation for enlisted personnel.
Kerry pledged that as Commander-in-Chief he will always keep faith with those
who have worn the uniform and transform the world’s most powerful military to
better address the modern threats we face. Where George Bush has cut funding
for veterans and pursued a go-it-alone foreign policy, Kerry said he will fight
for veterans and military families, as he has done in the Senate, and engage
our allies to help meet the threats we face today.
Kerry also challenged President Bush who claimed Monday in his speech that he is
“getting the job done” for our nation’s veterans.
“The job will be done when 500,000 veterans are not excluded from the VA
healthcare system. The job will be done when we’re not closing VA hospitals so
veterans can’t reach the care they need. The job will be done when veterans
are not asked for co-payments, enrollment fees and other charges to shift the
burden of care to other veterans and drive more than a million veterans out of
the system. The job will be done when 400,000 military retirees get real
concurrent receipt. The job will be done when there are no homeless veterans
on the streets of America. The job will be done when more than 320,000 veterans
no longer are waiting for decisions on disability claims and another 100,000
are not awaiting appeals decisions. The job will be done when the VA Secretary
does not have to complain that he needs more than the White House wanted to
give him,” Kerry said.
The Kerry-Edwards plan will honor those who serve with deeds, not just words.
They will ensure access to health care for all veterans, streamline the
veterans’ health care system, end the disabled veterans’ tax and ensure that
all military reservists have health care. They will also, as Kerry announced
today, ensure transitional assistance for all those returning from war,
struggling to readjust to civilian life and coping with the scars of war, those
both seen and unseen.
In addition, Kerry and Edwards have a comprehensive plan to keep faith with
those who serve, the Kerry-Edwards Military Family Bill of Rights. This plan
will provide military families with competitive pay, good housing, decent
health care, quality education for their children, first-rate training and the
best possible weaponry, armor and state-of-the-art equipment. The Military
Family Bill of Rights will also provide assistance to families affected by
extended deployments, or injury or death in the line of duty.
Kerry’s plan to modernize the military includes adding 40,000 active duty troops
to relieve pressure on our overstretched forces, doubling the capability of
Army Special Forces so they can more effectively fulfill the critical role they
play in our security, making homeland security an important additional mission
of the National Guard and completing the process of transformation.
As he stressed today, Kerry will also ensure that America uses every tool at its
disposal in the world. “If we are going to win this war, we will have to
listen to another profoundly important recommendation made by the 9/11
Commission,” Kerry said. “‘Long-term success demands the use of all elements of
national power: diplomacy, intelligence, covert action, law enforcement,
economic policy, foreign aid, public diplomacy and homeland defense.’ As
president, I will fight a smarter, more effective war on terror.”
Kerry has a strong record in the Senate as a champion for veterans’ issues.
Along with John McCain, Kerry led efforts to learn the truth about American
soldiers missing in Vietnam. He has also stood up for better care in VA
hospitals, increased military strength and pay, efforts to help veterans deal
with post-traumatic stress disorder and Agent Orange exposure and to
strengthen, not cut, VA budgets.
“As veterans, we know we can win the war on terror,” Kerry said. “As men and
women who have worn the uniform of our country, you know better than most that
we can make our nation stronger at home and respected in the world. And so,
whether the issue is standing by our vets and their families or standing up for
our principles, our values and our freedom, the big question before us is not
just who will lead America. It is whether America will continue to lead in the
world.”
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0818a.html
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