Hagel: 'Failing States a Threat' to the U.S.
Washington File, U.S. Department of State
January 24, 2003
U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel believes "America must not forget the role
that coalitions play in bringing international support and legitimacy
to (U.S.) policies, especially to the use of force."
In a speech January 24 at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend,
Indiana, the Nebraska Republican and member of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee stressed in several ways that the challenges
America faces in the 21st century require a multilateral approach -
that in spite of the unparalleled military and economic power of the
United States, international cooperation will be necessary to achieve
the goals of a more prosperous and peaceful world.
"Working through the United Nations and regional alliances," Hagel
said, "allows America to reinforce, not weaken, its power, principles
and purpose. ... That is why the president's approach to disarmament
in Iraq, through the United Nations, represents the most responsible
and effective means to end the threat from Saddam Hussein.
Multilateralism, in support of American interests and objectives,
remains a source of strength in our foreign policy, the best means of
expanding American influence in the world."
In addition to the challenge of Iraq, Hagel sees a test for U.S.
foreign policy in the uneven results of globalization, exemplified in
statistics that show half of the world's population subsisting on $2
or less a day, with more than 800 million going hungry each year.
Here, too, he espoused a multilateral approach.
"The challenges of economic development and political reform, to offer
hope and a better way of life for those who have missed the benefits
of globalization, require a balance of American leadership and
international support. We cannot solve completely the problem of world
poverty, but we can do more to help build coalitions to eradicate
world hunger and disease. But again, we cannot do it alone," Hagel
said.
Hagel sees "failed and failing states" as "[s]ome of the most serious
threats to American security today."
"These countries exist on the edge of modernity and civilization, and
are not only breeding grounds and potential exporters of terrorism,
but sources of political and economic instability in their regions,"
Hagel says. "We cannot allow this list to continue to grow," he adds.
In that context, Hagel says, "Afghanistan is the first critical test
case in the war on terrorism, and in our effort to prevent more failed
states. Helping rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure, institutions and
civil society is important to America's and the region's security. The
outcome in Afghanistan will shape the future in Central and South Asia
and have an impact throughout the Islamic world."
See the full text of the Senator's speech here
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