Questioning witnesses during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Thursday on the status of events in Syria, Senator Coons called for sustained efforts to hold Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accountable for violence against Syrian civilians and urged swift action to address worsening humanitarian conditions.
“While I am glad that we were able to find a way to avert the need for military action last month following this committee’s strong approval of an authorization of the use of force, in my view we cannot forget, should not forget, that Assad has murdered more than 100,000 of his own people, and this unconscionable violence continues to this day,” Senator Coons said at Thursday’s hearing.
“I am pleased that some real progress is being made in the removal of the means of delivering chemical weapons and that we are in the process of exhausting diplomatic alternatives to military force,” Senator Coons said. “But I find it jarring that eight weeks ago we sat in the same room and approved a strong policy, directed by President Obama, of holding Assad accountable for his crimes and continuing to stand with the Syrian people, yet do not seem to be making progress on a number of those shared commitments."
The hearing was convened to update Foreign Relations Committee members on the status of ongoing efforts to eliminate the Syrian chemical weapons stockpile, the potential for negotiations, and the ongoing humanitarian crises. Witnesses included U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation Thomas Countryman, and USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Nancy Lindborg.
Questioning Assistant Administrator Lindborg about steps USAID is taking to ensure delivery of U.S. aid to Syrian refugees, Senator Coons discussed meeting with Syrian refugees in Jordan earlier this year, noting that those he met “expressed anger and disappointment about the delays of promised U.S.-delivered assistance and support.” He expressed concern that months later, assistance continued to be delayed.
Lindborg noted that because many Syrian refugees are living with families in host communities, rather than in camps, USAID is focusing its efforts on development aid aimed at relieving the added stress placed on local water infrastructure, electrical systems, schools, and clinics. More work must be done to ensure we are maximizing our resources, Lindborg said.
Addressing Ambassador Ford, Senator Coons also expressed his concerns about “the very deep sense of abandonment felt by the Syrian opposition,” and emphasized the need for continued support for the Syrian opposition.
Ambassador Ford agreed, calling demonstrated solidarity with Syrian opposition “vital.” Ford pledged that the State Department would deliver on a statement issued last week by foreign ministers from 11 countries assuring Syrians that “Assad and his close associates with blood on their hands will have no role” when a transition government is established in Syria.
At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Senator Coons questioned Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey about President Obama's request for an authorization of the use of military force in Syria. A transcript follows:
SENATOR COONS: Thank you, Chairman Menendez. I would like to thank Secretaries Kerry and Hagel and Chairman Dempsey for your service to your nation, for your testimony in front of us today. I think the authorization of the use of force, I think the commitment of America's military strength is one of the most important issues that we will ever debate in this Congress, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have this conversation today. As secretary Kerry said, in his opening testimony, not just what we decide, but how we decide it, will send a very important message around the world, that this Congress can still function in a nonpartisan way, in the interest of the people of the United States.
As I've listened to Delawareans in recent days, I think they reflect a nation that is weary of war and that is wary of inadvertently repeating some of the challenges of our engagement in Iraq. I've heard specific and pointed concerns that we not rush into action, based on uneven or inaccurate intelligence, that we not be drawn into a civil war we don't fully understand or where we can't quite discern the good guys from the bad guys. And more than anything, that we not commit to an open-ended participation, a direct military invasion in an occupation of a country in a part of the world that is often confounding and is full of competing priorities.
Having reviewed the intelligence this morning in a classified briefing, having participated in a number of briefings from you and from folks leading in your agencies and departments, I am persuaded that this is not that circumstance. That the intelligence is solid. That we have, in this distance, a clear violation of a long-standing global red line against the use of chemical weapons. As you've stated, something embedded in America's statutes and in our treaty commitments, something that is a truly global standard.
My view, as I've watched both the images on TV that were presented at the beginning of this hearing, and as I've spoken to family and friends and neighbors at home, is that we face a real risk here if we do not act. That this is an instance where one of the world's worst dictators has steadily ratcheted up an ascending crescendo of death in his own nation. He began with thugs, police, and the military taking on peaceful demonstrations, graduated to snipers, killing innocent civilians. Has used helicopters and jet fighters against his own people, has deployed cluster bombs and scud missiles. I think over the last two years, there is no doubt that Bashar al Assad and his regime is willing to go to any lengths to stay in power.
So the challenge now for those of us who seek an appropriate path forward is to make sure that we craft an authorization for the use of military force that responds to American's legitimate concerns but still allows the administration to act in a decisive and timely way to both deter and punish the Assad regime for what they've done.
So I have a few questions for you if I might. First to General Dempsey. And I know we've spoken to this before, but I think it is worth repeating. How do we strike the right balance between military action that is too insignificant to actually effectively deter or degrade Assad's capabilities and one that is so decisive and overwhelming that it reaches beyond the scope of an authorization and becomes actually a regime change effort.
GENERAL DEMPSEY: Well, Senator, I won't recommend an option or a set of targets that won't effectively deter and degrade. That's the task that I've been given. And now we'll continue to refine that, not just based on intelligence, but based on the resolution that comes out of this committee.
SENATOR COONS: And could you, in your view, accomplish that mission with an authorization that is limited in scope, in terms of a time duration, and in scope as has been discussed with Secretary Kerry in terms of not introducing U.S. troops on the ground?
GENERAL DEMPSEY: Well, it won't surprise you to know that as the military leader responsible for this, the more -- the broader the resolution, the less limiting, the better off I will be in crafting a set of options. But I completely -- I defer to the secretary of state to give me what I need to do then.
SENATOR COONS: Well, if I might then to Secretary Kerry, because our goal here is to not pass or even consider an authorization that is so narrow that it prevents any effective message to be sent here. As you said, in a compelling way in your opening statement, our actions are not just meant to deter Assad but to send a strong message to Pyongyang, to Tehran, to non-state actors around the world who might use chemical weapons or might seek nuclear weapons. How do we craft an authorization, how do we take actions that are effective in deterring other countries that are watching our decisiveness and our action in this instance?
SECRETARY KERRY: I think the language that the administration submitted with respect to the military action necessary to degrade and deter and prevent the use of chemical weapons, specifically, is very targeted.
But as I've said several times now and will repeat again, I know the administration has zero intention of putting troops on the ground, and within the confines of this authorization, I'm confident would have zero problem in including some kind of prohibition there, if that makes you comfortable.
I would not urge an excessively pinpointed congressionally mandated set of targets. And I think in the course of the classified briefings, the intelligence community and the military community will make it very clear to you why that's not advisable. And I think they have to have some -- the general needs some latitude here to be able to make sure he can accomplish his task. But I think the broad confines and constraints of this particular operation are not hard for us to arrive at in agreement, and I'm confident we'll do it very quickly.
SENATOR COONS: Thank you.
One of my other concerns, Mr. Secretary, is the flood of refugees and their impact on the region. In a visit in January to a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan, I was moved both by the humanitarian situation they're facing and by the very real impact that this is having on our regional allies. On Jordan, on Turkey, the destabilizing impact on Lebanon, and of course, the real impact it's potentially going to have on our close ally, Israel.
I was encouraged to hear there was successful missile defense system test earlier today. Secretary Hagel, what steps are we taking to ensure that our allies in this immediate area of Turkey and Jordan and Israel are able to defend themselves from a potential response by the Assad regime?
SECRETARY HAGEL: Well, Senator, first, Jordan, you know we have Patriot Missile defense batteries in Jordan. And we also are working very closely with the Israelis. You know they have a very sophisticated Iron Dome and aero-system missile defense system. We are in constant coordination with all the allies in the region. And as you may know, General Dempsey was just in Jordan for a commander's meeting, which included all the senior military from the neighboring countries and our partners. So we are closely connected with and assisting our allies on this and other issues.
SENATOR COONS: Thank you.
Last question, Secretary Kerry, if I might. I am interested in our having a follow-on conversation about how this specific strike and this specific authorization that you're seeking can also lead to a broader strategy, a strategy for support and engagement with the opposition that will lead to the diplomatic resolution of the Syrian civil war that you've spoken about repeatedly.
I don't think these are mutually exclusive. I do think it's possible for us to take action that reinforces a global red line against chemical weapons use but to still continue to strengthen and broaden our engagement with the opposition in a way that moves towards a post- Assad Syria that is sustainable and secure. And I look forward to your input with us on your next hearing on that topic.
SECRETARY KERRY: Absolutely, Senator, I look forward to it, too. What I'd like to do is get the whole committee maybe to come down to the department, and we can have this discussion in that confine, as a committee, also. And I think that might be helpful, in addition to what we do in the classified briefing tomorrow.
SENATOR COONS: Thank you. Mr. Chairman, if you want to do that, I'm happy to do that.
Today, from Tanzania, the White House announced new and improved U.S. efforts to combat poaching and wildlife trafficking. Wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion dollar illegal business that is a threat to populations of targeted species including elephants and rhinos, to tourism and economic development, and to our national security and the security and stability of the nations where this violence is occurring. As the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, Senator Coons is very concerned about the recent rise in wildlife poaching, particularly in Africa, and applauds President Obama’s renewed and enhanced commitment to addressing this serious issue.
The President signed an executive order to establish a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, which will develop a national strategy to address the issue. The order will also establish an Advisory Council made up of non-governmental experts on the issue to make recommendations to the Task Force. These efforts will help enhance coordination among existing U.S. programs and policies to combat wildlife trafficking and assist other nations to do the same.
The initiative includes $10 million in funding from the State Department dedicated to combatting wildlife trafficking in Africa. This funding will strengthen the ability of nations to address the issue through laws and penalties, enhance investigations, law enforcement, and criminal prosecutions, and support regional cooperation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also station an official at our embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which is a major export point for illegally traded wildlife and wildlife products. This official will help the Government of Tanzania with a wildlife protection and security plan.
The President also announced plans to leverage new authority granted under the new Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, which was signed into law this January. Senator Coons cosponsored this legislation, which allows the Secretary of State to offer rewards for information on members of transnational criminal organizations, including wildlife trafficking. The President will also enhance existing authorities under the Endangered Species Act, African Elephant Conservation Act, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act to address the issue. Senator Coons voted to reauthorize funding for these conservation programs and others incorporated in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund during the last Congress.
Last May, Senator Coons participated in a full Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing entitled, “Ivory and Insecurity: The Global Implications of Poaching in Africa,” the first full committee hearing addressing this issue. He also recently hosted two screenings of the National Geographic film, “Battle for the Elephants” in Washington, D.C. and Wilmington to inform Delawareans about this ongoing challenge.
This issue is incredibly complex and growing in intensity. Senator Coons believes it will take the involvement of a number of U.S. agencies, working in coordination with other nations, non-profit organizations, and private entities to successfully combat it. The President’s announcement today builds on the significant steps Secretary Clinton, and now Secretary Kerry have taken to address the poaching crisis. Senator Coons looks forward to working with his colleagues to support implementation of this important new initiative.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, and commending its successor — the African Union — Senator Coons was proud to sponsor a resolution that the Senate passed unanimously on Wednesday night. Senator Jeff Flake, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa, cosponsored the resolution.
“This resolution commends the African Union on its increasingly positive contribution to peace, security and development across the continent,” Senator Coons said. “As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa, it is my hope that the AU continues to play a constructive role in the region.”
In 2007, the new AU adopted a charter that aims to “reinforce commitments to democracy, development and peace in Africa.” Notably, the African Union departed from the OAU’s strict doctrine of nonintervention in the internal affairs of member states, which had impeded its ability to address serious governance, conflict or human rights issues. The AU is now able to intervene in a member state under certain circumstances, including with respect to war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. African Union peacekeeping forces, political mediation missions, and other peace-building processes have been instrumental in ending conflict and bringing stability to Burundi, Comoros, Sudan, Somalia, and Mali.
The AU’s new chairwoman, Nkhosazana Dlamini-Zuma from South Africa, has promised to focus on strengthening regional integration, economic development, and good governance during her term as Chair.
A week ago, Senator Coons chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa hearing on prospects for democratic reform and economic recovery in Zimbabwe. Panelists highlighted the need for the coalition government of Zimbabwe to carry out previously agreed electoral and democratic reforms as a precondition for free and fair elections later this year. Meaningful AU engagement with the government of Zimbabwe and the Southern African Development Community to advance democratic reform in Zimbabwe would be a positive signal that the AU is committed to realizing the promise of its charter.
Senator Chris Coons, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, published an op-ed in the News Journal on Thursday highlighting the opportunity to improve Delaware’s economy by expanding trade with Africa.
When American businesses sell their products in Africa, they grow and create jobs in their offices, headquarters and factories here at home. Nearly 10 million American jobs are supported by exports – including well over 11,000 in Delaware – and every billion dollars of U.S. exports could create as many as 5,000 new jobs. So it is in our economic interest to dramatically scale up our economic engagement with Africa. If we don’t, our international competitors will – and in some cases, they already have. At a meeting about U.S. export opportunities, an African head of state told me that while they “would prefer to work with the United States, the Chinese are already here.”
We cannot allow our competitors in the global economy to lock American companies out of fast-growing African markets, which have as many as 900 million potential consumers. Large and small businesses in Delaware, from DuPont-Pioneer to Baltimore Air Coil, based in Milford, are already selling their goods and services to African customers, but we have to do more to provide the tools and resources they need to succeed.
Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was a guest on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Friday talking about Syria and the Middle East.
This afternoon, Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the African Affairs Subcommittee, hosted an advanced screening of the National Geographic film “Battle for the Elephants” in the Capitol Visitors Center.
“Battle for the Elephants” follows investigative journalists Brian Christy and Adrian Hartley as they examine the criminal networks and market forces fueling ivory’s global supply and demand. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, one of the world’s main ports for smuggled ivory, Hartley poses as an ivory buyer and documents poachers negotiating the sale of large quantities of tusks. In Hong Kong and Beijing, China, Christy explores the thriving industry of luxury goods made from ivory and the ancient cultural tradition of ivory carving. Following the screening, Christy joined the film’s producers and director to answer questions and share insights about the experience of tracking ivory, as well as steps the international community can take to end this destructive trade.
Last May, this issue was the topic of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing titled Ivory and Insecurity: The Global Implications of Poaching in Africa. Since that time, elephant poaching on the continent has reached unprecedented levels.
Senator Coons’ office will host a Delaware screening of the film at the Penn Cinema Riverfront on May 13 at 6 PM. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Katie Carpenter, one of the film’s two producers and a Wilmington native, and John Heminway, the film’s director. The Penn Cinema Riverfront is located at 401 S. Madison Street in Wilmington. The event is open to the public.
Senator Chris Coons questioned Senator John Kerry, nominee to be U.S. Secretary of State, at a Senate Foreign Relations nominations hearing on Thursday. Senator Coons, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, specifically asked what Senator Kerry would do to stem the influence China has on Africa’s economy, and prevent the exploitation of Africa’s resources and wildlife for illegal trade. Senator Coons recently visited several Middle Eastern countries with a bipartisan group of senators, during which time he visited a refugee camp in Syria. Senator Coons questioned Senator Kerry how he, as Secretary of State, would support the opposition forces in Syria now that the American government has recognized them.
Senator Coons on Tuesday praised President Obama for signing into law legislation he co-sponsored to enhance the ability of the U.S. Government bring war criminals to justice. The bill would allow the United States to offer monetary rewards for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of foreign nationals accused by international criminal tribunals of atrocity-related crimes.
The Department of State Rewards Program Update and Technical Corrections Act of 2012, which was written by Senator John Kerry, would help bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against humanity including Joseph Kony and other leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
“All of these individuals face charges before international criminal tribunals for horrific acts, including attacks on civilians, murder, the recruitment and use of child soldiers and rape,” the White House said in a statement issued on Tuesday. “We have made unmistakably clear that the United States is committed to seeing war criminals and other perpetrators of atrocities held accountable for their crimes, and today’s legislation can help us achieve that goal.”
As chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, Chris has been an outspoken advocate for capturing Joseph Kony and LRA leaders.
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.
This afternoon, Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the African Affairs Subcommittee, hosted an advanced screening of the National Geographic film “
