In what is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Ortega has clearly put his own personal enrichment and empowerment over the welfare of the Nicaraguan people.

I would hope that you would make that also a top priority on your portfolio.

I just want to underscore the importance to American manufacturing and to American production that we impress upon the Chinese their international responsibilities on enforcement of intellectual property issues.

Ambassador Callahan had a very clear view. He said it was unconstitutional.

If confirmed, this is an area we will give tremendous attention.

If confirmed, I will work with the government and civil society to help strengthen democracy and governance, promote constructive political dialogue, and encourage greater citizen participation in the political process.

We must be ready at all times to defend our policies and programs, both in-country and in Washington.

What role will the United States and international community play in ensuring that the elections are free and fair?

Many of us have and had and have still high hopes for a transition in Egypt that is both more democratic and continuingly secular, but many of us also have concerns about recent actions and where we're headed.

I note unfortunately in the northern Peten region of Guatemala, 27 laborers on May 14 were slaughtered and decapitated by members of the international criminal band known as Las Zetas.

There are historical realities here. There is concern of irredentism.

Each of these individuals, the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, and the Secretary of State, at the time they were Senators, acknowledged the fact of the Armenian genocide.