Bob Menendez

I do expect that to be a high priority--a high priority for me and my colleagues in the Department.

I want an Assistant Secretary in charge of the Western Hemisphere who is going to make it very clear in her work and with our ambassadors in the hemisphere that democracy, human rights, free press are critical elements.

So if you are to be confirmed----

The only regional bank that did not receive--everybody--I heard the voices of the Department as it related to everybody else. I didn't hear it about the IDB.

I see that the lack of exertion by State and Treasury on behalf of a capital increase for the Inter-American Development Bank, the only--only--regional bank to not receive the full amount of its requested capital increase.

Funding for the region suggests that it is not a priority for this administration and that we haven't yet made the connection between poverty, citizen security, transnational crime, narcotics trafficking, and U.S. interests.

I have consistently raised the concern, and certainly the position for which you are nominated for would be important in making this concern less of a concern, and that is the funding decreases for Latin America.

The Western Hemisphere is our hemisphere, and its nations are our friends, our neighbors, our allies, and our economic partners.

If you are confirmed, you'll serve the United States and will be called upon to implement the policies of the U.S. Government.

Today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee considers four nominations.

The administration has expressed its strong disappointment both publicly and privately in meetings with senior Russian officials.

Access to the ballot is a key part of the democratic process, and this makes Russia's parliamentary elections less competitive than they could be.

We were very disappointed, for instance, when Russia vetoed the resolution on Syria last week at the U.N. Security Council.

We think we have made real progress in terms of having Russia be part of the international community, being part of the P5+1 as opposed to being on the outside.

I think we have made progress on that.

The proposition that we have tried to make to President Medvedev and other Russian Government officials is that we want to make our bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia more important geopolitically to Moscow and…

A commitment to sustaining democracy, supporting indigenous efforts to expand civil society and enhancing respect for human rights are issues I feel passionately about.

The administration supports lifting Jackson-Vanik prior to Russia's joining the WTO to ensure that U.S. workers, ranchers, and farmers enjoy the full benefits of Russia's accession.

I just would be interested, after the announcement by the IAEA just last week that they've increased their enrichment activities, what further actions do you think might be necessary or might be taken by the administration to strengthen…

I share your concern about Iran.

It's really about using all the tools we have at our disposal, including the Treasury Department's actions that have been quite crucial where Iran is concerned in terms of financial assets and financial transactions.

I think people generally believe that that is not true.

I would hate to give all the leverage away before we have more than a dialogue, before we have a commitment.

I have never believed that Mr. Megrahi alone was the beginning and the end of the mastermind of Pan Am 103's bombing.

It is my hope that the follow-on Libyan Government will be responsive.