2001 Ron Paul 17:1
Secretary Powell, thank you for your
time and please answer the following questions:
2001 Ron Paul 17:2
1. On the topic of the
International Criminal Court, I have two questions. I am pleased that
the administration, as well as the Chairman of this Committee, have
spoken against the ICC treaty as an infringement upon U.S. sovereignty.
As a policy matter, can you explain why the administration has not
spoken similarly against the WTO, the International War Crimes
Tribunal, or the idea of fighting wars based on UN or NATO resolutions
and why these instrumentalities are any less threatening to our
sovereignty? Also on the ICC topic, if the administration is not going
to pursue ratification of the treaty, will you support my resolution, H
Con Res 23, calling on the President to declare to all nations that the
United States does not assent to the treaty and that the signature of
former President Clinton should not be construed to mean otherwise?
2001 Ron Paul 17:3
2 . Since World War
II, each of our Presidents have engaged in wars — both big and small,
from Korea to the continued bombing of Iraq — without an
explicit declaration of war from Congress. Yet, the Constitution
clearly vests the decision to go to war (as opposed to its execution by
the commander-in chief, once declared), with the Congress. If, however,
the "war decision" is allowed to come from Presidential directives or
UN resolutions, of what value to the American people is the
Constitutional constraint upon a President who would otherwise wage war
without Congressional approval? Do you believe the War Powers
Resolution is unconstitutional? If so, why? If not, why not?
2001 Ron Paul 17:4
3. Is it not clear
that a U.S. treaty, although it is called the law of the land, was
never intended to be used to amend our Constitution?
2001 Ron Paul 17:5
4. Why do we trade and
subsidize a country like China, pursue talks with Iran and North Korea,
and act as a conduit for peace in the Middle East while all we seem to
know what to do with Iraq is bomb, kill, and impose sanctions? Surely
we are not expected to believe Saddam Hussein is the only totalitarian
in power today?
2001 Ron Paul 17:6
5. Is not the
continued bombing of Iraq an act of war? Where does the administration
get its authority to pursue this war? Is this policy not in violation
of our Constitution that says only Congress can declare war? There is
not even a UN resolution calling for the US-British imposed no-fly zone
over Iraq. Our allies have almost all deserted us on our policy toward
Iraq. Is it not time to talk to the Iraqis? We talked to the Soviets at
the height of the Cold War, surely we can do the same with Iraq today.
We trade with and subsidize China and we talk to the Iranians, surely
we can trade with Iraq . . . ?
2001 Ron Paul 17:7
6. If investors of a
foreign nation had a stake in oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and
their country was dependent on oil imports for subsistence, is that
country justified in militarily dominating the Gulf and use of U.S.
soil for basing operations? My guess is Americans would be furious even
if done with our government official’s approval. Yet we expect the Arab
world — a world quite different from ours — to accept our presence
and domination. Is it not possible for our policy in the region to show
more “humility” rather than pursue a policy that incites Islamic
fundamentalists against us leading to what they see as acts of self
defense and we see as acts of terrorism?
2001 Ron Paul 17:8
7. How would you, the
U.S. government, and the American people respond if a foreign power
subsidized subversive groups whose goal it was to overthrow our
government as we are doing with the Iraqi National Congress?
2001 Ron Paul 17:9
8. In your earlier
remarks before this committee you said that you regard the military as
a vital component of U.S. foreign policy. I am wondering if you, as a
former military officer, would comment on the antiquated idea of a
military draft and selective service registration. I believe you have
spoken against the draft in the past. Do you still hold that a draft is
unwarranted? Would you support ending draft registration?
Note:
This was in a committee, so it does not appear in Congressional Record.
This chapter appeared in Ron Paul’s Congressional website at http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2001/cr030801B.htm
