US Politics: Comments on John Kerry’s Speech yesterday
Yesterday afternoon I sat down in front of my TV to watch the live broadcast of John Kerry’s annual address, the day following Obama’s final State of the Union address in Washington. I am fond of John Kerry and Obama and think as Secretary of State, he has achieved a great deal. These are the following points that I took from it:
His initial comment was on the US sailors being returned to US soil that morning, 13th January 2016. I did not know that Mr Kerry was a former sailor. He thanked the Iranian authorities for their cooperation and their quick response: all indications suggested that the sailors were well taken care of. He commented how different things could have been in this situation 3 or 4 years ago, prior to the Iran Nuclear Deal between America and Iran. Whilst many are critical of this, it is true that this kind of issue more able to be peacefully resolved as a result of these recent negotiations which, Mr Kerry said, was ‘testament to the critical role diplomacy plays in keeping people safe’.
John Kerry has been involved in politics some 29 years: Reagan was his first President in 1985. Like Obama, this will be his last address as he will stand down as Secretary of State at the end of this presidential term. 2016 will be his 4th year as Secretary of State.
Contrary to what many see in light of recent eruptions of violence and terrorism in the Middle East and its global ramifications, Mr Kerry does not sense an ‘unraveling of the global fabric’; on the contrary, he sees it coming together. Whilst a great deal of tragedy occurred in 2015, he also bore witness to advances in many areas: barriers that have long divided nations broke down and we now have a global coalition of 65 countries who are working together in the fight against terrorism. Despite recent tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, both have commented that they will not allow these to take focus away from the Syrian peace talks held in Vienna last November, with more to continue towards the end of this month.
His comments in relation to Daesh were as follows (outlined as a ‘3 pillar’ agenda):
- They now have a 65 number international coalition (only been at this for a little over a year) to defeat Daesh. One member of Daesh is reported to have turned his own mother in to his superiors and by his own hand, executed her. (She tried to get her son to leave as she was worried about his involvement). Kerry commented on the Daesh networks in Iraq and Syria who inspire attacks elsewhere in the world: whether directly orchestrated from these hubs of power or carried out in the name of ‘Islam’ by a lone wolf operator(s) inspired by their warped and Un-Islamic philosophy. Every country in the region that surrounds Iraq and Syria is opposed to this increasing and ongoing threat of global terrorism – Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Saudi, Emirates and way beyond. Iraqi forces with coalition support retook a lot of Daesh occupied territory in the last month. They freed Sinjar and cut off terrorist supply lines. By taking away resources, they have been able to deprive Daesh of 40% of the territory they once occupied in Iraq and Daesh haven’t been able to seize a major town or city since last year. They are trying to squeeze strongholds in Mosul and Raqqa and similar trying to stop people joining and returning to their home countries if they have. There is increasing knowledge about Daesh’s sources of income who are now less able to profit from the oil they control. The international coalition have made anyone who might consider doing business with them think twice.
- The US intends to work with partners to prevent the violence spreading. Libya. One reason why we are now providing a record amount of humanitarian assistance to deal with problem of displaced people from Syria and Iraq. Trying to strengthen defence cap of Jordan, Lebanon and other friends in region. The refugee crisis is a global challenge of historic proportions that tests our humanity and values and the most effective response of all involves the pursuit of peace. In the past 4.5 years, 1 Syrian in 20 has been killed; 1 in 5 a refugee and 1 in 2 has been displaced. There will be no end to this crisis, Kerry stated, unless there is an end to the conflict. One person stands in the way of that – Assad.
- The third pillar to de-escalate the conflict in Syria is to restore a secular, united Syria that once was – allowing all faiths to live together. A political transition and settlement is required. Vienna talks last November advanced the idea of a political transition and an offer to help the Syrian people rebuild their country. Will require good faith effort by Russia and Iran – Geneva communiqué calls for a transitional government. Even Iran called for a unity govt, constitutional reforms, a ceasefire and then election. This solution was embraced during the Vienna talks and the need for settlement is clear. The more progress we make towards that goal,the easier it will be to mount a sustained and unified effort against Daesh. When a vacuum exists in governments, the terrorism and the idea of terrorism flourishes.
Mr Kerry also drew my attention to a Syrian photographer who had been employed by the government to take photographs of dead people who had been political prisoners in Syria. I had not heard of these famous ‘Caesar photographs’ before which were exhibited in Washington (Europe refused to show the exhibition as the images were considered to be too graphic), so I googled them and was shocked and appalled. It made me angry. This is the link that I found below:
On looking today, further information can be found here:
http://www.ushmm.org/confront-genocide/cases/syria/syria-photo-galleries/evidence
He also discussed further negotiations on the TPP and TTIP and an improvement in negotiations after a cease in relation with Cuba over the last 54 years.
Columbia was mentioned and how they hope to help them as they seek to negotiate an end to decades long struggle, 50 yrs, with rebel group Farc.
He addressed Afghanistan and the developments that commenced 14 years ago, in 2001. At that time there were less than a million in school. Now there are 8 million, 40% of whom are girls.
Vis a vis Europe, Kerry said that the US would continue to support a democratic and sovereign Ukraine and that NATO’s promise of collective defence would be upheld.
Finally, Mr Kerry quoted Abraham Lincoln:
‘The struggle of today is not altogether for today – it is for a vast future also. With a reliance on Providence, all the more firm and earnest, let us proceed in the great task which events have devolved upon us’.
http://izquotes.com/quote/247634
The address was given at the Defence University in Washington.
As I watched this with great interest, headlines continued to scroll down at the bottom of the television screen:
- 14 killed in bomb attack on security forces in western Pakistan. Quetta in Balochistan. Security forces were on their way to guard a polio vaccination centre. Most of the casualties were security personnel.
(Africa has been polo free for one year now. These clinics are trying to ensure the virus doesn’t spread beyond the small areas in Afghanistan and Pakistan in which it remains).
- Isil/Daesh killed 7 security personnel in an Afghanistan blast.
- An updated figure was given for the Turkish bombings in Istanbul in which 10 non-Turkish nationals were killed; mainly German. The bomber, thought to have been born in Saudi Arabia in 1988, came into Turkey from Syria. His fingerprints were taken on entry but he was not on any kind of wanted or watch list.
- In northern Cameroon, 2 suicide bombers, thought to be women, killed at least 14 people (Nigeria Today, Al Jazeera and Reuters).
Kerry’s speech was full of hope. And while we hope, we speak, we dream and we sleep, those who continue to hate ravage the innocent few.
I hope for change, I really do; but I think it will be long in coming and I fear for what happens in between.
