On the recordJune 6, 2017
Our word is our bond. The United States, when it engages internationally with our allies and friends, and even our enemies, our word is our bond. The meetings that the administration had recently in Saudi Arabia, I am sure there were some positive results, but there is no positive result to the disruption that is now occurring between Mideast countries and Qatar. Qatar has some of our military assets that are enormously important. Rumor has it that the administration may be thinking of a regime change. Yes, we have had our concerns with Qatar. We have been concerned about human rights or concerned about various positions with Al Jazeera, but we have worked with them, and we have realized that the emir, over the years, has worked with us in an honest and decent way and treated their people in a manner of decency. I hope this is straightened out. They can't be starved. We cannot continue to encourage or be part of any disruption in that region. We need them to collaborate against terrorism. We do not need one being fought by others. I would ask that the administration straighten this out, working with those of us who are concerned about our friends in Qatar, and to recognize that there is no specializing and isolating and picking friends. We have to work with all of them in that region to fight against the terror in Iran. I would offer, again, my acknowledgment of D-Day and thank those who sacrificed their lives. God bless them. ____________________
