Vice President Hails Progress in Afghanistan, Proposes Tax-Cut Package
(Also advocates energy program to reduce dependence on foreign oil) (1480) By Lauren Monsen Washington File Staff Writer Washington -- The "very sound decisions" made by President Bush in his handling of the U.S.-led war on terrorism have paved the way for recent dramatic progress in the military campaign now under way in Afghanistan, says Vice President Dick Cheney. Addressing an audience of business executives at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on November 14, Cheney opened his remarks by praising the talents and collective experience of officials charged with guiding military operations in the United States' pursuit of the Afghanistan-based al-Qaeda terrorist network headed by Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden has been harbored for years by the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan. Cheney dismissed earlier pessimistic assessments of the war effort from various media analysts whom he described as "hand-wringers," and observed that "it's nice at a moment like this to be able to remind them that a lot of what they put out over the course of the last few weeks was just dead wrong." The successful results of the U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan "are there for all to see," he added. He warned, however, that despite significant gains by anti-Taliban forces, much remains to be done. "We've got a long way to go," he said. "Remember, our objectives in Afghanistan not only were to take down the Taliban, but also to wrap up the al-Qaeda network. And clearly, we're ... interested also in the command-and-control of that network and Osama bin Laden, who runs it. And we're continuing very, very aggressively to pursue all those objectives this morning." The vice president added that al-Qaeda "is a global network," with "cells all over the world, and there's no reason for us to believe at this stage that this operation is about to end." He said "a far more appropriate way to look at it is, this is a very good beginning to what's likely to be a long struggle." Cheney pointed to the central tenet of the so-called "Bush Doctrine," that "we will hold those who harbor terrorists, those who provide sanctuary to terrorists, responsible for their acts." He indicated that this approach will continue to shape the foreign policy of the United States for the foreseeable future. "If you're going to provide sanctuary to the likes of Osama bin Laden, then you are going to accept the responsibility in our eyes for any acts he commits against the people of the United States of America," he said. "And you will face the full wrath of the people of the United States of America, and I think ... this morning, in the fate that has befallen the Taliban, there's proof positive. If anybody has any questions about whether or not we're determined to carry through on that threat, all they have to do is go visit Afghanistan today and interview members of the Taliban, if they can find any." Next, Cheney turned his attention to the U.S. economy. Although immediate growth is unlikely, "we believe the fundamentals of the economy remain sound," he said. "We're ... the world's strongest economy, and I think the prospects are very bright, long-term." Yet "we clearly are in the midst of a significant economic slowdown," Cheney conceded. He speculated that the downturn "began a year ago or more, ... and was quite possibly headed for recessionary levels before September 11th." But "with the impact of the terrorist attacks, clearly the situation has gotten significantly worse," he said. "The slowdown is steeper." Because of this, the Bush Administration believes "it's absolutely essential that we enact another stimulus program as soon as possible," Cheney said, referring to the earlier tax cut that Congress passed at the urging of the White House. "The president has made this a top priority," he declared. According to Cheney, Bush has already discussed the matter with the bipartisan leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and is urging lawmakers to adopt a stimulus package that ensures further tax reduction. In their proposed legislation, the two bodies of Congress have presented sharply contrasting approaches to stimulating the economy. Cheney argued in favor of the House of Representatives' bill, which reflects Bush's preference for tax cuts; the Senate, meanwhile, advocates more funding for programs intended to assist displaced workers. "If we're serious about wanting to restore confidence, to encourage risk-taking and investment, and to create jobs, then clearly tax relief is the way to go," the vice president said. "Tax relief is efficient. Spending programs come with strings attached." The economic approach recommended by the president "does several things," Cheney asserted. "We've called for a stimulus package of upwards of $75 billion focused on immediate tax relief, especially on four particular initiatives. Number one, accelerate all the marginal tax-rate reductions already approved by the Congress. This will put money immediately into the hands of consumers and businesses, while improving incentives to work, save and invest. Allowing businesses to partially ... deduct the cost of capital purchases is the second principle." Third, the president would "eliminate the corporate minimum tax," Cheney said. "Repealing [this tax] will improve corporate cash flow and increase job-creating investment. And finally, we support the proposition of providing some relief for low-income taxpayers. This will provide a rebate for those low-income taxpayers who filed a [tax] return last year but did not receive a rebate check in the earlier [tax] cuts this year." In addition, Cheney called upon Congress to grant trade-negotiating authority to the president, which he cited as an "integral part of recovering our economy and expanding our economic hopes and aspirations." Asked about a controversial energy bill that would authorize the U.S. government to drill for oil in the Alaska wilderness, Cheney suggested that the benefits of an expanded domestic energy program were especially evident at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. "You know, we're dependent upon a somewhat fragile, uncertain part of the world for a big part of our oil imports," he said. "And for us not to do everything we can to shore up our domestic production here at home and diversify our sources of supply would be foolish in the extreme." While environmentalists oppose the plan because it would violate a wildlife sanctuary, Cheney insisted that the United States must try to reduce its reliance on oil imports. "We'll always be somewhat reliant on foreign sources, but there's no reason why we should see that percentage of total consumption continue to climb, as it will if we don't act," he said. Finally, Cheney was queried about the president's decision to order military trials for suspected international terrorists and their collaborators -- a measure that applies to non-U.S. citizens arrested on terrorism charges in the United States or abroad. "Now some people say, 'Well, gee, that's a dramatic departure from traditional jurisprudence in the United States.' It is, but there [are] precedents for it," Cheney explained. "This is the way we dealt with the people who assassinated Abraham Lincoln and tried to assassinate part of the Cabinet back in 1865. They were tried by military tribunals." Furthermore, in 1942, when the United States was fighting in the second World War, "we had German saboteurs land on the coast up in Long Island and down in Florida -- eight of them, I believe, altogether -- came into the United States to conduct sabotage against us during the course of the war," Cheney pointed out. "President [Franklin] Roosevelt signed an order, established a tribunal, had these individuals tried. They were given a fair trial, prosecuted under this military tribunal, and executed in relatively rapid order. And that procedure was upheld by the Supreme Court when it was challenged later on. So there's ample precedent for it." This latest initiative should be construed as an unmistakable signal of the United States' unwavering resolve to punish criminals who harm its citizens, Cheney suggested. "The basic proposition here" is that anyone "who conducts a terrorist operation killing thousands of innocent Americans -- men, women, and children -- is not a lawful combatant," he said. Such a person does not "deserve to be treated as a prisoner of war," and does not "deserve the same guarantees and safeguards that would be used for an American citizen going through the normal judicial process." Suspected terrorists "will have a fair trial, but it'll be under the procedures of a military tribunal, and rules and regulations to be established in connection with that," Cheney concluded. "We think it's the appropriate way to go. We think it guarantees that we'll have the kind of treatment of these individuals that we believe they deserve." (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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