Projo Politics Blog

By John E. Mulligan
Journal Washington Bureau
Sen. Jack Reed said yesterday that the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India call for a stronger response from Pakistan than that government has offered thus far. Speaking on the ABC News Sunday public affairs show, "This Week,'' Reed said Pakistan has distanced itself from some terrorist groups, "many of which were their protegees, going back to the war against the Soviets.''

But Reed said Pakistan's government must take stronger action and he suggested that diplomacy among Pakistan, India and Afghanistan may be in order. Reed noted that then-Sen. Barack Obama had called for consideration of such a three-state diplomatic tack when Obama and Reed visited Afghanistan last summer.

Rhode Island Democrat Reed and Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., appearing on the show with him, gave strong endorsements of the national security team that Obama is expected to announce this morning:

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y, as secretary of state; Defense Secretary Robert Gates staying on at the Pentagon; General James Jones, the former commandant of the Marine Corps and supreme commander of NATO, as national security adviser; and Susan Rice, a top foreign policy adviser to the Obama campaign, as U.N. ambassador.
Reed called the prospective nominees "a superb group of people. Experienced, pragmatic. People I think who will also work well together.''

Reed added that if Obama were to assign former President Bill Clinton to specific diplomatic tasks, such as mediating between India and Pakistan on the difficult issue of the contested territory of Kashmir, "I think he would be a superb addition to our international diplomacy.''

Reed said keeping on Gates would "absolutly not'' send a message that Democrats can't handle the Pentagon. "At at this time of significant challenge internationally, the continuity that Bob Gates brings to the Pentagon, and his good judgment, his good sense, his demonstrated performance is absolutely critical for this moment.''

 Tags  ABC Clinton Gates Lugar Obama Pakistan Reed Susan Rice This Week

Comments

William F Horan said:

We must first determine if OBAMA is actually going to take office. Yes, while not reported by the forth estate our press the Highest court in the land on Dec 05, 2008 is scheduled to take up an examination of the qualifications for ALL three 2008 presidential candidates Vs the US Constitution Natural Born Citizen requirement.
This issue is much different than the several misinformation BLOGS launched into cyber space on the web. The question is will our constitution prevail or will those that control the countries wealth and their hired client Pols prevail?
http://origin.www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/08a407.htm

Link | December 1, 2008 2:27 PM
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