Kerry: Automatic Budget Cuts Would Hurt US Foreign Policy
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warns automatic budget cuts
set to take place March 1 would hurt U.S. foreign policy.
In his first major speech as top U.S. diplomat, Kerry said U.S. foreign policy advances global stability and is an "investment in a strong America and in a free world."
The so-called "sequester," cuts are a result of a stand-off between President Barack Obama and Congress. House of Representatives Speaker Republican John Boehner said it is up to the president to avoid the cuts.
Speaking Wednesday at the University of Virginia, Kerry said "there is no longer anything foreign about foreign policy."
He said foreign policy decisions affect Americans' "everyday lives," from the products bought and sold to the jobs created by U.S. businesses.
"It is not just about whether we will be compelled to send our troops into another battle, but whether we will be able to send our graduates into a thriving workforce," Kerry said. "That is why I am here today."
Kerry spoke before his first trip abroad as secretary of state next week to visit Europe and the Middle East.
Kerry also said globalization has changed the world, and called for America's leaders to face globalization head on.
"No politician, no matter how powerful, can put this genie back in the bottle," Kerry said. "So our challenge is to tame the worst impulses of globalization, even as we harness its ability to spread information and possibility, to offer even the most remote place on Earth the same choices that have made us strong and free."
He said in the coming months he will travel to Asia and Africa and make stops in the Americas.
Kerry succeed Hillary Clinton, who stepped down on February 1.
In his first major speech as top U.S. diplomat, Kerry said U.S. foreign policy advances global stability and is an "investment in a strong America and in a free world."
The so-called "sequester," cuts are a result of a stand-off between President Barack Obama and Congress. House of Representatives Speaker Republican John Boehner said it is up to the president to avoid the cuts.
Speaking Wednesday at the University of Virginia, Kerry said "there is no longer anything foreign about foreign policy."
He said foreign policy decisions affect Americans' "everyday lives," from the products bought and sold to the jobs created by U.S. businesses.
"It is not just about whether we will be compelled to send our troops into another battle, but whether we will be able to send our graduates into a thriving workforce," Kerry said. "That is why I am here today."
Kerry spoke before his first trip abroad as secretary of state next week to visit Europe and the Middle East.
Kerry also said globalization has changed the world, and called for America's leaders to face globalization head on.
"No politician, no matter how powerful, can put this genie back in the bottle," Kerry said. "So our challenge is to tame the worst impulses of globalization, even as we harness its ability to spread information and possibility, to offer even the most remote place on Earth the same choices that have made us strong and free."
He said in the coming months he will travel to Asia and Africa and make stops in the Americas.
Kerry succeed Hillary Clinton, who stepped down on February 1.
fuente. La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/new_us_secretary_of_state_kerry_gives_first_major_remarks/1607406.html
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