Bob's Blog
From the Brussels Forum 2010
I have just finished a trip to Belgium for the annual Brussels Forum which brings together policy makers, civil society groups and opinion leaders for discussion on transatlantic issues. This gathering allowed me to meet with key leaders on the international stage and discuss two issues at the forefront of my foreign policy priorities, the growing threat from Iran and the ongoing crisis related to food security...
Goodbye to Brussels
Today is our final day in Brussels. We are on the way to the airport, ready to fly back home. It has been a rewarding weekend, full of dialogue and insight, and I am happy that I led this delegation. A side benefit: I have gotten to know some of my fellow Senators better, including John McCain, who sat across from me on the flight over here.
I and a couple of other Members were briefed this morning by Richard Holbrooke, the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, on the emerging results of the Administration's 60 day review of U.S. Policy towards these two nations. While the results are not final -- the President has yet to sign off on them -- Holbrooke painted a sobering picture for us. I urged the Administration to communicate to the American people in a clear fashion our goals and objectives and our ultimate exit strategy. Any strategy for success must have the sustained support of the American people.
I hope you have enjoyed this series of updates from my trip to the Brussels Forum. I look forward to updating you in the future via blogging on my efforts to better serve the people of Pennsylvania.
Brussels Forum Day 2
It has been a full second day at the Brussels Forum, where I am leading a U.S. Congressional delegation this weekend. We started at 745 in the morning with a pair of early bird sessions and didn't stop until late this evening. A highlight in the morning was an engrossing talk by Bob Zoellick, the President of the World Bank, on the current global recession and strategies for getting out of it. I was pleased when he saluted the Global Food Security Act, legislation Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana and I introduced late last year to overhaul U.S. food assistance to developing nations so that we can give the farmers in these nations the tools they need to become self-sufficient on agriculture. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is holding a hearing on this issue on Tuesday morning.
I was a panelist for one of the late evening sessions, which focused on how the United States and our allies can handle the threats posed by adversaries in the Middle East. While I strongly support the new U.S. approach of diplomatic engagement, demonstrated powerfully by President Obama's stirring New Years greeting to the Iranian people, I emphasized in my remarks that we must always remember diplomacy is only a means, not an end. The challenge posed by Iran's nuclear program and the continuing acts of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas and Hezbollah require both skillful diplomacy and a coherent strategy of incentives and deterrents, including sanctions. And we can never neglect our closest friend and ally in the region -- the state of Israel.
I was concerned when I heard the news of the hazardous materials accident at Wind Gap. Initial reports indicate the spill was well-contained and there are no serious injuries. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Wind Gap and I have asked my staff to keep me updated.
Will check in a final time tomorrow before I leave!
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