Applauds bipartisan leadership against amendment that would have jeopardized U.S.-Iran talks

Washington, DC – USA*Engage and the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today applauded the U.S. Senate for action taken yesterday to vote down an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2007. The amendment, which would have imposed tougher unilateral sanctions on Iran, was defeated by a vote of 45-54.

“Imposing tougher sanctions at this time would undermine important and delicate multilateral diplomacy. Yesterday’s vote provides some assurance that the Senate understands that unilateral sanctions can be counterproductive,” said Bill Reinsch, President of the NFTC and USA*Engage Co-Chair. “The constructive stance taken today in the Senate will allow the Administration the best opportunity to negotiate and engage in talks with Iran.”

The vote came days after Administration officials met with a group of Senators to discuss policy towards Iran. Following the defeat of Senator Santorum’s amendment, the Senate approved a resolution sponsored by Senator Biden, supporting the State Department’s diplomatic initiative regarding Iran to end the current impasse over Iran‘s nuclear program.

“Senators Warner, Biden, Hagel and Levin displayed strong leadership on this issue, and we appreciate the efforts of Secretary Rice for making a good case that engagement must be given a chance to work,” said Jake Colvin, Director of USA*Engage. “It is encouraging to see policies and proposals aimed at engaging Iran diplomatically and economically emerge after years of unilateral sanctions, which have failed to achieve our foreign policy goals.”

 

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USA*Engage (www.usaengage.org) is a coalition of small and large businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad. Established in 1997 and organized under the National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org), USA*Engage leads a campaign to inform policy-makers, opinion-leaders, and the public about the counterproductive nature of unilateral sanctions, the importance of exports and overseas investment for American competitiveness and jobs, and the role of American companies in promoting human rights and democracy world wide.

The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.

 

Restoration of diplomatic relations is a positive step forward for both sides

 

Washington DC – USA*Engage and the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) welcomed today’s announcement by the U.S. State Department that the United States would renew diplomatic relations with Libya and remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

William A. Reinsch, NFTC President and Co-Chair of USA*Engage, said “This is another positive step in the U.S.-Libya relationship which was achieved as the result of dialogue between the two governments. When the United States is engaged in a country, we have a better idea of what is happening on the ground and much more of an opportunity to influence ideas and behavior in positive ways. We hope today’s decision will lead to further improvements in our relationship.”

USA*Engage and NFTC worked closely with the State Department during the first phases of our improved relationship with Libya and for some time have urged the completion of the process by removing Libya from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

“This announcement,” said Reinsch, “should put our two countries on the road to closer diplomatic and commercial ties, including the potential to be part of the Middle East Free Trade Area.”

NFTC is the secretariat for the Middle East Free Trade Area initiative aimed at developing a free trade agreement between the United States and the countries of the region.

 

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USA*Engage (www.usaengage.org) is a coalition of small and large businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad. Established in 1997 and organized under the National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org), USA*Engage leads a campaign to inform policy-makers, opinion-leaders, and the public about the counterproductive nature of unilateral sanctions, the importance of exports and overseas investment for American competitiveness and jobs, and the role of American companies in promoting human rights and democracy world wide.

The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.

 

Group will Honor Congressmen Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY)
for Their Support of U.S. global Engagement

Washington DC – USA Engage today honored Representatives Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY) for their strong records of achievement in pursuit of pro-engagement policies on behalf of the United States. Both Kolbe and Meeks have voted consistently in favor of opportunities for expanded U.S. international trade and cultural and humanitarian assistance, and have opposed efforts to either impose or continue counterproductive and ineffective unilateral U.S. sanctions.

“Representatives Kolbe and Meeks share a common belief that America’s values and interests are best advanced by sustained involvement in world affairs by both public and private sectors,” said USA*Engage Co-Chair and National Foreign Trade Council President William Reinsch. “We applaud their leadership in Congress and their ongoing efforts to encourage U.S. global engagement at all levels.”

Among his current duties, Representative Kolbe serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs, which maintains oversight and funding of most U.S. foreign aid programs, including the Agency for International Development; the Peace Corps; development banks including the North American Development Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Kolbe, who has served in Congress since 1985, will retire at the end of the 109th Congress.

A Member of Congress since 1998, Representative Meeks includes among his duties a position on the House International Relations Committee where he is a Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, and the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. With a real interest in the development of small economies, he has made strides toward using trade and international relations as tools of both diplomacy and development.

“Jim Kolbe and Gregory Meeks are superb examples of how Republicans and Democrats can work together to advance the best interests of our country. Engagement abroad, at all levels – economic, diplomatic, educational and humanitarian – help advance America’s economic and strategic interests throughout the world. We commend these two leaders, and encourage other Members of Congress to join in the task of building a stronger America through engagement,” concluded Jake Colvin, Director of USA*Engage.

 

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USA*Engage (www.usaengage.org) is a coalition of small and large businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations working to seek alternatives to the proliferation of unilateral U.S. foreign policy sanctions and to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad. Established in 1997 and organized under the National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org), USA*Engage leads a campaign to inform policy-makers, opinion-leaders, and the public about the counterproductive nature of unilateral sanctions, the importance of exports and overseas investment for American competitiveness and jobs, and the role of American companies in promoting human rights and democracy world wide.

Urges Multilateral Action in Response to Iran’s Nuclear Program

Washington DC – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and USA*Engage today commended the response of the United States and our European allies to the threat posed by Iran’s resumption of its nuclear program.

“It is tremendously important for the United States and all of our allies to take a firm and unified stand against a nuclear Iran,” said USA*Engage Director Jake Colvin. “We applaud the efforts of the United States, together with Britain, France and Germany, to refer this matter to the United Nations Security Council.”

USA*Engage continues to advocate for a multilateral solution to the current impasse, and urges all UN Security Council Members to establish an appropriate response to Iran.

While encouraged by current multilateral efforts, USA*Engage Co-Chair and NFTC President William A. Reinsch cautioned that unilateral moves by the United States would not help the situation. “Time and time again we have seen that unilateral economic sanctions by the United States do not work,” Reinsch said. “Unilateral measures – including some bills pending in the U.S. Congress – would harm relations with our allies without achieving the results we all desire.”

USA*Engage opposes legislation pending in Congress that would severely restrict the Administration’s flexibility to conduct foreign policy with respect to Iran. The organization has urged the Administration and Congress to redouble its efforts to achieve a multilateral resolution.

 

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USA*Engage (www.usaengage.org) is a broad-based coalition representing Americans from all regions, sectors and segments of our society concerned about the proliferation of unilateral economic sanctions at the federal, state, and local level. Established in 1997, USA*Engage leads a campaign to inform policy-makers, opinion-leaders, and the public about the counterproductive nature of unilateral sanctions, the importance of exports and overseas investment for American competitiveness and jobs, and the role of American companies in promoting human rights and democracy world wide. USA*Engage promotes responsible alternatives to unilateral sanctions that advance U.S. humanitarian and foreign policy goals, such as intensified U.S. diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.