Fully fund US contribution to UN operations in Darfur
Q: Will you support and actively work to fully fund the U.S. contribution to UN Peace Operations in hot spots like Darfur?
A: Yes.
Q: Will you cosponsor a resolution in
Congress supporting the establishment of a UN Emergency Peace Service if one is introduced?
A: I need more information about the parameters under which such a Peace Service would be established.
Source: Citizens for Global Solutions: 2008 Senate questionnaire
Sep 9, 2008
We must responsibly re-deploy out of Iraq
Mark believes we must responsibly redeploy out of Iraq to strengthen national security. Mark favors the gradual withdrawal of American forces from Iraq’s civil war, coupled with increased American diplomacy and forcing the Iraqi government to take
responsibility for its future. He strongly supports American troops who are fighting in harm’s way. But he believes national leaders have let our soldiers and citizens down with no plan, inadequate equipment and a lost focus. Mark believes we need to
relentlessly pursue the terrorists who attacked the US and have rebuilt their global network based in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan while the US has been distracted by Iraq. He will ensure that our military is not stretched too thin to meet
other national security needs, as top military officers like the Army Chief of Staff say it now is. He believes the US is unprepared to meets the future demands of veterans, and will fight to provide quality care and benefits to its veterans.
Source: Campaign website, www.begich.com, “Issues”
May 21, 2008
Sanctions on Iran to end nuclear program.
Begich signed Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act
Expresses the sense of Congress that:
diplomatic efforts to address Iran's illicit nuclear efforts, unconventional and ballistic missile development programs, and support for international terrorism are more likely to be effective if the President is empowered with explicit authority to impose additional sanctions on the government of Iran;
US concerns regarding Iran are strictly the result of that government's actions; and
the people of the United States have feelings of friendship for the people of Iran and regret that developments in recent decades have created impediments to that friendship.
States that it should be US policy to:
support international diplomatic efforts to end Iran's uranium enrichment program and its nuclear weapons program;
encourage foreign governments to direct state-owned and private entities to cease all investment in, and support of, Iran's energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran;
impose sanctions
on the Central Bank of Iran and any other Iranian financial institution engaged in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups; and
work with allies to protect the international financial system from deceptive and illicit practices by Iranian financial institutions involved in proliferation activities or support of terrorist groups.
Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to direct the President to impose sanctions if a person has made an investment of $20 million or more (or any combination of investments of at least $5 million which in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period) that directly and significantly contributed to Iran's ability to develop its petroleum resources. (Under current law the sanction thresholds are $40 million, $10 million, and $40 million, respectively.)
