Kucinich Responds to Arab American Institute's Presidential Questionnaire
The Arab American Institute sent out a questionnaire to the presidential candidates. Kucinich was the first to respond. The questionnaire results are not yet up on AAI's website, but were sent out to their email list.
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AAI 2004 Presidential Campaign Update
Kucinich Responds to AAI's Presidential Questionnaire
The Arab American Institute recently sent out a questionnaire to all of the 2004 Presidential candidates. The questionnaire poses a series of statements to respondents and asks them to state whether they are in support or opposition to the statement. The statements deal with a broad range of topics including National Security, Civil Liberties, Immigration, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iraq.
The first to respond to AAI's 2004 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire is Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH).
If you would like to contact Rep. Kucinich with your comments, you can email him at mailto:info@kucinich.us.
The questionnaire, with Rep. Kucinich's answers, follows:
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Arab American Institute
2004 Presidential Candidate Questionnaire
Responses of Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich
Note:
AAI's questions are in Italics
(1) Balancing National Security and Civil Liberties
There is broad consensus on the need to find a workable formula for making needed enhancements to national security without discriminating against citizens, immigrants, and visitors to this country. Yet there are many unanswered questions concerning the impact of legislation and policies passed since 9/11 on our civil liberties, concerns echoed by an internal Justice Department report. Proposals, such as "Patriot II" could further constrict our freedoms while instigating questionable procedures for use by law enforcement officials.
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding national security and civil liberties.
- Regular Congressional oversight of major law enforcement programs
initiated since 9/11 to determine effectiveness in law enforcement use and impact on civil liberties
Kucinich: Support. Congress abdicated its responsibilities by hurriedly rubber-stamping the Patriot Act with little scrutiny and almost no debate. In Congress, I have fought to safeguard civil liberties. A Kucinich Administration would continue that fight and promote legislative oversight.
- Sunset provisions on domestic intelligence gathering and surveillance legislation
Kucinich: Support. Provisions of the "Patriot Act" relating to domestic surveillance had been previously requested -- and rejected by Congress. Unconstitutional expansions of federal surveillance power must not become permanent features of our legal landscape.
- Full Congressional hearings for any additional legislation, such as
"Patriot II" that impact civil liberties and national security.
Kucinich: Support. This proposal would drastically scale back judicial oversight of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and open the way toward abuses of federal power. Peaceful political and religious activity must not be subjected to unlawful government spying.
- Annual reports from the Inspector General of the Justice Department on the impact of anti-terrorism legislation on U.S. citizens and legal immigrants
Kucinich: Support.
- Elimination of the use of secret detention for immigrants and citizens
Kucinich: Support. Secret detentions are unconstitutional and represent a blight on our judicial system.
- Elimination of the use of secret evidence in cases involving immigrants and citizens
Kucinich: Support.
- Regular judicial oversight for intelligence-gathering and surveillance of US citizens and immigrants
Kucinich: Support.
- Elimination of racial, religious, ethnic, or national origin profiling by authorities except in suspect-specific situations
Kucinich: Support.
- Elimination of requirements for institutions such as libraries and
universities to provide information to the federal government in
non-criminal investigations without the consent of the affected party
Kucinich: Support.
Your message to Arab American voters on this issue of national security and civil liberties:
Kucinich: The freedoms enshrined in our Bill of Rights are among our most precious legacies as Americans. Yet even as the Bush administration wraps itself in the rhetoric of freedom, it has been encroaching on our civil liberties and curtailing our rights here at home. The federal government can and must protect Americans from the threat of terrorism -- without eroding our basic constitutional liberties. Today, Arab-Americans are especially vulnerable to abuses of government power. Yet ultimately all Americans are put at risk when our rights come under attack. A Kucinich administration will work to preserve our constitutional rights, and roll back the most egregious infringements of our individual freedoms.
(2) Immigration Rights
Immigrants enrich our society and contribute to the vitality and prosperity of our nation. Most Arab Americans can trace their ancestry to immigration since 1900. Although the Arab American community consists largely (almost 80 percent) of U.S. citizens, concerns about immigration are of specific interest to us, especially policies that affect family reunification, humanitarian exemptions, work visas, and similar issues. Some laws passed since 9/11 may lead to better visa and immigration policies; others discriminate against Arabs unfairly and lead to racial and ethnic profiling.
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding immigration:
- Restoring the 245(i) visa exemption that allows legal immigrants to renew their current visa without departing from the U.S.
Kucinich: Support.
- Annual reports to Congress on the impact of visa policies on tourism,
international students, and visitors for business, tourism and medical
treatment by region and sector
Kucinich: Support.
- Sufficient resources allocated to consular offices overseas and relevant federal agencies to fully implement visa screening, registration, and review procedures in a timely manner
Kucinich: Support.
- Special restrictions on immigration from Arab and Muslim countries
Kucinich: Do not support.
- Sufficient resources to reduce the citizenship naturalization backlog that is now more than two years' duration
Kucinich: Support.
- Devote needed resources to the "refugee and asylum" programs to eliminate backlogs, expedite security clearances, and reunite families
Kucinich: Support.
Your message to Arab American voters on this issue of immigration rights:
Kucinich: Our country has always been a nation of immigrants; they enrich our culture and our democracy. New residents living lawfully in the United States must not be made scapegoats. Americans of Arab descent have contributed greatly to our country. Many of my constituents in my Ohio Congressional district are Arab Americans, some recent arrivals -- and I have close relations with the Arab-American community. Vigilante attacks and hate crimes against Arabs and others after September 11th showed us the danger when fear combines with prejudice.
(3) U.S. Interests in the Middle East
The United States has many interests and concerns in the Middle East. Its bilateral relations encompass economic, cultural, security, and political issues. These relations play an important role in how the U.S. promotes negotiations to achieve a viable peace between Israel and a new Palestinian state. In addition, for security reasons, the United States must continue to oppose the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the region and political and economic conditions that contribute to the rise in terrorism.
Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding US policies in the Middle East:
- The U.S. should actively promote President Bush's goal of "two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, and in security."
Kucinich: Support. I fully support the vision of two free and fully independent states, Israel and Palestine, living peacefully side-by-side and enjoying friendly relations with the other countries of the region. A Kucinich administration would work tirelessly to ensure that Israelis and Palestinians live free from the threat of violence, and to bring an end to the occupation. Such an effort is not only in the interests of the people of region, but also in the interests of the American people.
- Consistent with long-standing U.S. policy, the final status of Jerusalem should be negotiated directly by Israelis and the Palestinians
Kucinich: Support. To achieve peace and security in the region, the final status of Jerusalem must be negotiated peacefully between the two parties. Both sides must refrain from unilateral actions that would prejudice the outcome of those negotiations.
- The U.S. should oppose the development and stockpiling of all weapons of mass destruction by countries in the region
Kucinich: Support. The U.S. should work toward the goal of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. The first Bush administration supported that goal when it voted for U.N. Security Council resolution 687 in 1991. Countries of the region should work with the United States and the U.N. toward eliminating these weapons.
- The US should work with the United Nations and other international
organizations to resolve the humanitarian and development challenges in Iraq and Palestine
Kucinich: Support. I have long supported the transfer of power in occupied Iraq from the U.S. to the United Nations. A Kucinich administration would work closely with the United Nations and wealthy countries to address the serious humanitarian challenges facing Palestinians. Such an effort will not only improve the lives of the Palestinians, but ultimately make that region and our world more stable and secure.
- The U.S. should work with Arab governments and civic organizations in the Arab world to promote educational, political, and social initiatives to enhance values that promote pluralism, minority rights, transparency, and accountability
Kucinich: Support. The U.S. must work with Arab governments, activists and civic organizations in promoting human rights, democracy and greater freedom. We must challenge human rights abuses while supporting peaceful change.
- Israeli settlements are a significant obstacle to a viable peace between Israel and the Palestinians and U.S. policy should continue to oppose their expansion
Kucinich: Support. Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are unlawful and against the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians. A Kucinich administration will vigorously oppose the expansion of settlements in the occupied territories and insist on the dismantlement of existing illegal settlements in the West Bank and Gaza.
- The U.S. should work to strengthen bilateral relations with countries in the Middle East including: (please check your answers)
Algeria
Lebanon
Yemen
Saudi Arabia
Morocco
Qatar
Jordan
Turkey
Israel
United Arab Emirates
Iran
Bahrain
Egypt
Kuwait
Syria
Kucinich: A Kucinich administration would work to improve relations with all governments in the Middle East, while supporting the efforts of those in the region striving to achieve democracy and human rights for their citizens.
Your message to Arab American voters on US relations with Arab countries:
Kucinich: The United States must work closely with the Arab countries as well as Israel to promote peace, strengthen ties and achieve greater freedom and human rights for all. Perpetual war and poisonous rhetoric will not help us erase the bitterness that still plagues relations among countries of the region. An even-handed approach to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is key to a solution, as is global financial aid to the Palestinian people as they move toward Statehood. A Kucinich administration would establish a Department of Peace to help the U.S. find creative, nonviolent solutions; it would advance foreign policies that aim to promote cooperation, not create enemies.
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