Kerry, Ban Ki-Moon Address UN-U.S. Relations

By Rachel Whitt

Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) told reporters Thursday is would be “unwise and dangerous” for the U.S. to reduce it’s presence in global institutions and and international affairs. 

“We all know that the United States is facing a difficult budget moment,” Kerry said. “But while some people in the Congress are talking about retrenching and reducing America’s presence on a global basis…I want to firmly state how unwise and  even dangerous I believe that kind of move would be.”

Kerry, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined at the podium by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-mon. The duo spoke with reporters after concluding meetings in the Capitol with members of Kerry’s Committee. The Secretary General also implored Congress to continue  international efforts of global stabilization.

“My meetings have focused on the United Nations and the United Sates working together in common course,” Ban Ki-moon said. “[Also] how we can strengthen our working relationship, and how we can get stronger support from the United States in working together in preventing global crisis.” 

Kerry cited Afghanistan, Darfur, Haiti, Libya, Sudan and Japan as examples of places where the United Nations is “stepping up to play a critical role.” 

“On a global basis, this is really a moment of remarkable challenge,” Kerry summarized.