John Kerry

We are doing it there because it is our problem, too.

But reestablishing diplomatic relations... will remove the pretext that has been used for decades, to counter pressure from the Cuban people for more freedom and economic prosperity.

President Obama made the right choice in saying that he was going to calibrate the early bombing in order to try to make certain that we had a government transition in Iraq that gave us a government we could work with.

I was in Nigeria to encourage the election process. I met with President Jonathan, with his opponent.

I don't think there is any disagreement here about strong support for the $3.1 billion in aid to Israel that is in this package.

Whether it's Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, other places--they are all in the firing line.

I will tell you what, I will commit to come to you with a program that will lay out, together with all of those folks you have just named, a stronger approach on this.

But we have diplomatic relations.

Please, don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say----

A lot does depend on it. I agree with you.

This agreement is not based on trust. No arms control agreement is based on trust.

We remain as deeply committed now as I was in the very beginning to trying to work something between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Historically, we have always said that politics should end at the water's edge when it comes to American foreign policy.

Governments can lead the way in ensuring that suppliers and contractors are held to the highest standards and adopt the highest standards.

Latin America is the first region in the developing world to commit itself to democracy.

Our commitment to democracy and human rights, and our desire and hope that the Cuban people will know the benefits of liberty and become the sovereigns of their own destiny, is no less for our action.

It is our determination that this kind of environment would be the most propitious to support the only legitimate agent of peaceful and enduring political change in Cuba: the Cuban people.

The U.S. Government will continue programs that promote the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms such as freedoms of peaceful expression, association, and assembly in Cuba.

If I am right, and our new policy succeeds in empowering the Cuban people to shape their political destiny, then the Cuban Government may respond by cracking down harder in the short run.

We will spare no effort to ensure that everyone still detained for simply exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, or peaceful assembly is free.

The most immediate result of this policy shift--the release from prison of 53 activists who are now back with their families and able to continue their brave work--is unambiguously a good thing.

Cuba remains a one-party state that tries to stifle virtually all political, cultural, and economic activity that it does not control.

The promotion of universal human rights and the empowerment of all Cubans must be the bedrock of our policy toward Cuba.

We will continue such talks only if they chart a course for concrete progress on human rights and democratic principles in Cuba.

I believe with all my heart that the President chose the right course.