It lays out a very clear understanding to the importance of the State Department in national security and not just promoting economic benefits.
This focus increases the danger to the USA foreign service. But, the interesting aspect is Reagan wanted recognition for this capacity to our national security. Why is that important? Because it would demand Congress to provide plenty of funding to the State Department to carry out this directive.
We have witnessed the decreases in funding to the State Department do to priorities of Republicans. In the Bush Administration the State Department took a back seat to the military. Today, there is no regret by House Republicans in cutting funding to The State Department.
This proves to me the 'new age' Republicans are grossly out of step with the priorities of Reagan while calling them 'father.' It also proves beyond a doubt why the 'new age' Bush Republicans focus on military intervention over any attempt to use diplomatic relations and building peace initiatives. The Bush Republicans want to 'rush to arms' and justify high amounts of military spending for war than any other measure by this country.
In the case of Benghanzi, the Republicans see a reason to scream about sending in military assets to rescue the foreign mission when in fact that was never possible. These Republicans still aren't interested in spending money on diplomatic missions, but, only "We should have invaded," as if that is the answer to every ripple in the global fabric.
The American people need to appreciate the sincere sacrifice the USA foreign services carry out everyday for this country. They need to demand secure facilities abroad that actually serve the State Department and are not simply pork barrel project for Republican cronies as the Baghdad facility was. The State Department personnel over the decades since this signing statement have complained ad nauseam about the lack of sincere purpose for the facilities built abroad.
If we are to believe the Late President Reagan and place a high priority on this capacity of the USA, there is absolutely no excuse for lack of funding or wasteful spending for our State Department.
August 27, 1986
This focus increases the danger to the USA foreign service. But, the interesting aspect is Reagan wanted recognition for this capacity to our national security. Why is that important? Because it would demand Congress to provide plenty of funding to the State Department to carry out this directive.
We have witnessed the decreases in funding to the State Department do to priorities of Republicans. In the Bush Administration the State Department took a back seat to the military. Today, there is no regret by House Republicans in cutting funding to The State Department.
This proves to me the 'new age' Republicans are grossly out of step with the priorities of Reagan while calling them 'father.' It also proves beyond a doubt why the 'new age' Bush Republicans focus on military intervention over any attempt to use diplomatic relations and building peace initiatives. The Bush Republicans want to 'rush to arms' and justify high amounts of military spending for war than any other measure by this country.
In the case of Benghanzi, the Republicans see a reason to scream about sending in military assets to rescue the foreign mission when in fact that was never possible. These Republicans still aren't interested in spending money on diplomatic missions, but, only "We should have invaded," as if that is the answer to every ripple in the global fabric.
The American people need to appreciate the sincere sacrifice the USA foreign services carry out everyday for this country. They need to demand secure facilities abroad that actually serve the State Department and are not simply pork barrel project for Republican cronies as the Baghdad facility was. The State Department personnel over the decades since this signing statement have complained ad nauseam about the lack of sincere purpose for the facilities built abroad.
If we are to believe the Late President Reagan and place a high priority on this capacity of the USA, there is absolutely no excuse for lack of funding or wasteful spending for our State Department.
I have signed into law H.R. 4151, the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986. This marks yet another step forward in our bipartisan effort to eradicate international terrorism. I would like to recognize the valuable contributions to this legislation by the Vice President and his Task Force on Combatting Terrorism; Secretary [of State] Shultz and Admiral Inman and their Panel on Diplomatic Security; and the work of Senator Richard Lugar and Representatives Dante Fascell, Bill Broomfield, Dan Mica, and Olympia Snowe, as well as many other distinguished Members of the Congress for bringing the various parts of this act together. This is truly a bipartisan piece of work.
This act once again puts those who would instigate acts of terrorism against U.S.
At the same time, I continue to urge cooperation with all nations, on both a bilateral and multilateral basis, to seek ways to work together to end the continuing onslaught of international terrorism against civilized society. Seeking international cooperation is vital in the struggle against terrorism, and that effort will remain a top foreign policy priority for me. Within the Government, cooperation and coordination between all departments and agencies is also essential in protecting our vital national security interests from the terrorist threat.
We can never legislate an end to terrorism. However, we must remain resolute in our commitment to confront this criminal behavior in every way -- diplomatically, economically, legally, and, when necessary, militarily. First-rate intelligence remains the key element in each of these areas. We will continue to improve our ability to predict, prevent, and respond to threats of terrorism with an expanded intelligence-gathering capability. We will continue to work with the Congress to identify legislative gaps in our ability to combat terrorism. This act adds to our capabilities and further demonstrates our resolve. I congratulate those responsible for this historic act.
Note: H.R. 4151, approved August 27, was assigned Public Law No. 99 - 399.
