Washington Post joins Senator Coons' call for a better plan on al Qaeda takeover of northern Mali

In an editioral appearing in Monday's editions, The Washington Post joined Senator Coons' call for a better plan on al Qaeda's takeover of northern Mali. Senator Coons chaired a hearing on the situation there last week, noting that the space now controlled by al Qaeda is roughly the size of Texas and is the largest terrorist-controlled area in the world.

ACCORDING TO the Obama administration, northern Mali “has become a safe haven for extremist and terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and affiliates” — the same forces linked to the deadly Sept. 11 assault on the U.S. mission in Libya. Northern Mali, says Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Africa, has become “the largest territory controlled by Islamic extremists in the world.” A Taliban-style rule of stonings and amputations has been imposed, and a dire emergency is unfolding: 400,000 civilians have fled their homes, and, the United Nations says, 600,000 children under the age of 5 are threatened by severe malnutrition.

Not to worry. U.N. officials say that the terrorists will be subdued by a military intervention — but not before the fall of 2013.

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The Obama administration, for its part, is insisting that military action must be preceded by a multi-step political process, including democratic elections for a new Malian government and negotiations with groups in northern Mali that are not part of al-Qaeda. One, Ansar Dine, has imposed fundamentalist rule on Timbuktu and destroyed many of its priceless religious and cultural monuments, but the theory is that it can be detached from the transnational terrorists.

Negotiations, which began this month, are certainly worth a try. But it’s also worth bearing in mind what is happening while this process drags on. As a Malian minister told the Security Council, “there are floggings, amputation of limbs, summary executions, children forced to become soldiers, rapes, stoning, looting and the destruction of cultural and historical sites.” Perhaps the diplomats in Turtle Bay can conclude it’s prudent to allow such atrocities to continue for another 10 or 12 months. But morality as well as common sense suggests that intervention must come sooner.

Click here to read the Post's full editorial.

CRPD would not impact homeschooling

There are some false and damaging rumors about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities causing real concern in Delaware and elsewhere. Our office has heard from Delawareans concerned that ratification of this treaty would impact their right to homeschool their children with disabilities, if they choose to do so.

Senator Coons took those concerns seriously, and he checked with Department of Justice directly. What he heard – what he confirmed, with absolute certainty – should put the minds of these parents at ease.

Ratification of this treaty will not do anything to change existing American law, rules or enforcement on homeschooling. The right of families who wish to homeschool their children to do so will be protected, no matter what.  

Nor does the treaty erode one iota of American sovereignty.

It does not hand over any authority to any international body. It does not burden us with any new obligations or expenses. It does not require us to do anything but comply with our own, already existing law – a law that has been in place for 22 years. Any rights that Americans have now, they will continue to have if this treaty is ratified. Period. 

Video: Senator Coons talks Susan Rice and DRC on MSNBC

Senator Coons talked with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell on Thursday about the possible nomination of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice as Secretary of State, and about the developing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Senator Coons is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs.

You can watch the interview below:

Senate unanimously passes resolution standing by Israel

Senator Coons expressed his strong support for legislation passed unanimously by the Senate Thursday night reiterating that the United States stands with Israel as it faces an onslaught of rocket fire from Gaza.The resolution also recognizes Israel’s right to self-defense in the face of terror.

“With rockets raining down on innocent Israelis, the Senate tonight stood united in condemning these acts of terror and insisting that Israel has the right to defend its citizens from acts of terrorism,” Chris said. “The United States remains unwavering in its ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, and reaffirms that Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist organizations must end the barrage of rocket and missile attacks.”

Approximately 900 missiles have entered Israel from Gaza since the beginning of the year.

Chris was an early co-sponsor of the bipartisan legislation, which was introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). It follows President Obama’s recent phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, where he reiterated the United States’ strong support for Israel’s right to self-defense.  

Chris is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Senators Coons announces bipartisan caucus on combating malaria and neglected tropical diseases

Senator Coons and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced on Friday the expansion of the Senate Malaria Working Group, which they co-chair, to become a Congressional caucus that will focus on efforts to stem the global tide of 17 neglected tropical diseases including malaria.

Chris formally announced the Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at a reception hosted by the United States Agency for International Development on Wednesday evening.

“Malaria and other neglected tropical diseases continue to wreak havoc on the lives and economies of numerous countries around the world,” Chris said. “Malaria and the seven most common neglected tropical diseases cause nearly two million deaths globally each year. I am proud to join Senator Wicker in underscoring our commitment for this issue and continuing to support U.S. efforts to prevent the spread of all tropical diseases.”

Malaria, an infectious blood disease spread by mosquitoes, is most prevalent in the developing world, with 90 percent of deaths occurring in Africa.  The majority of those killed are pregnant women and children under five years old.  The 17 neglected tropical diseases impact more than one billion people, including 500 million children in the world’s poorest countries.
 

What We’re Reading: Burmese democracy heroine honored

CNN reported that Aung San Suu Kyi, an activist for freedom and democracy in Burma, was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor the United States Congress can bestow.

Suu Kyi was kept for the better part of two decades under house arrest for advocating for democracy in Myanmar, also known as Burma. The country's former military rulers ordered her detention, and in recent years her case has received an international spotlight. She paid a hefty personal price for standing up for freedom in Myanmar, which suffered under 50 years of autocratic, repressive rule.

"From the depths of my heart, I thank you, the people of America and you, their representatives," she said to the gathered members of Congress, "for keeping us in your hearts and minds during the dark years when freedom and justice seemed beyond our reach."

Click here to read the full story on CNN.com.

What We’re Reading: Russia halts local USAID programs

The New York Times reported that Russia has ordered the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to cut off funding for a wide range pro-democracy, public health and other civil society programs that have been operating in Russia for two decades.

The move stands to cut off aid that currently totals about $50 million a year, a relatively small sum but a potentially devastating blow for groups that came to rely on foreign money as domestic controls over politics tightened.

American officials, who were informed of the decision earlier this month, quickly pledged to maneuver around the Kremlin. The Obama administration last October proposed the creation of a new $50 million fund— essentially an endowment for a private foundation established under Russian law — for Russian civil society groups, and one senior administration official said work on that project would speed up.

Click here to read the full story on the New York Times’ website.

Senator Coons discusses American leadership with military, business, faith leaders

On Tuesday, Senator Coons met with over 30 members of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) for a breakfast discussion about how America’s investments in global development and diplomacy are critical to our national security and economic growth, as well as a reflection of our values as a nation.

The breakfast included top leaders from the business, military, faith and nongovernmental communities. Patrick Bellon, Executive Director of Veterans for Common Sense, emphasized the effectiveness of development in promoting security and preventing conflict. Tom Callahan, Vice President of Government Affairs for PAE, Inc. described the importance of leveraging the generosity of the American people to build a coalition of support for addressing pressing global issues.  

Chris expressed his strong support for the International Affairs Budget, emphasizing that “the roots of conflict are fed by misery and poverty” and noting that by responsibly funding international development initiatives, the United States can save lives and encourage sustainable growth to foster long-term stability around the world.

He also took the opportunity to recognize Senators Graham, Leahy and Isakson for their support of a strong and effective International Affairs Budget and thanked the more than 400 Delawareans who attended the Opportunity: Africa conference in Wilmington earlier this year.

Honoring Nelson Mandela

Senator Coons, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, extended his warm congratulations to Nelson Mandela on his 94th birthday on Wednesday.

Mandela has devoted his life to serving the people of South Africa. His unbreakable will and unwavering determination helped end apartheid and lift South Africa out of turmoil. Mandela’s enduring legacychanged the arc of history, transforming his country and his continent.

To honor his historic service, the United States joined 192 other nations in the creation of Nelson Mandela International Day.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on foreign policy.

Video: Senator Coons talks Africa at the Center for Strategic & International Studies

Senator Chris Coons was a featured speaker at the Center for Strategic & International Studies on June 19, 2012. Senator Coons’ speech, entitled, “The Nexus of Security, Development and Governance: Reflections from a Recent Trip to East Africa,” focused on his recent CODEL to East Africa.