"Diplomacy, together with military might, is how we are fighting thespread of nuclear weapons around the world," said Vice President Gore atthe Iowa Veterans' Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. "It is how we are bringinginternational terrorists to justice. It is how we are breaking up deadlydrug cartels and crime syndicates around the world."

Specifically, the Vice President outlined six central steps for strengtheningU.S. diplomatic interests around the world:

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

"Our next President must resubmit the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty,and demand its ratification by the Senate." The treaty would establishmore than 320 data gathering stations to register nuclear explosions anywherein the world and subject those signatories suspected of violating the Treatyto on-site inspections, inhibiting the spread of nuclear weapons. The CTBTwould not jeopardize the role of U.S. nuclear program as the world mostadvanced nuclear deterrence.

United Nations Dues

"It is time for America to pay its U.N. dues in full." Through the UnitedNations, the U.S. can build critical international support for issues andpolicies important to our foreign policy goals, and also share the financialand resource burden with other countries. We have made considerable progressreforming the UN so that it is better able to deliver "value for money."The World Food Program, the High Commissioner for Refugees and other agenciesof the UN offer the U.S. an effective means of helping to alleviate sufferingin some of the most vulnerable corners of the globe.

Foreign Operations Funding

"We need a firm commitment to foreign affairs in our budget. It amountsto a penny for every dollar in the budget. These programs are not charity,but national security. They must be enhanced, not reduced."

Through our foreign operations funding, the U.S. helps encourage economicand political development in new democracies, helps fight disease and combatilliteracy in the some of the world's poorest countries as well as otherassistance and provides stabilizing support to the developing world.

Fighting Terrorism

"We must redouble our commitment to fighting terrorism through diplomacyand international cooperation." From the Vice President's Airline SafetyCommission to the

Emergency Security Assessment teams being sent to our most vulnerableembassies abroad, this Administration has been committed to fighting terrorismwherever American interests and Americans are threatened.

Engagement with Russia and China

"We must engage Russia and China, not pretend we can turn our backson them. The greatest threat to America is not the strength of Russia andChina, but their weakness." Our interests are in a stable and democraticRussia that does not threaten the U.S. or our allies. While Russia hashad more setbacks and problems than we would like, we have made significantprogress on a number of major issues, and have forged U.S.-Russian cooperationthat was unimaginable a decade ago. With respect to China, U.S. interestsare not served by those who would treat it like an enemy. We will buildcooperation where we can and deal with differences, as we must. Our long-termstrategy must be to encourage China to become a strong, prosperous andopen society, while integrating it into the institutions that promote globalnorms on proliferation, trade, the environment and human rights.

A Strong Military

"It is still a dangerous world --and a strong military has to be thecornerstone of our security."

The Administration has maintained our military forces as the best preparedbest-equipped, most capable fighting force in the world. Through the continueddevelopment of advance weaponry, we have given our soldiers the most modernweapon systems available, and have ensured that if the use of force isrequired, our military will be ready.

The Vice President also blasted the Congressional Republican leadershipfor putting partisanship ahead of America's foreign policy interests.

"More and more each year, engagement abroad means a political strugglehere at home," Vice President Gore said. "When Congress risks our voteat the United Nations by refusing to pay our dues; when our best chanceof achieving a nuclear test ban is sacrificed on the altar of partisanpolitics; when even the free and fair trade agreements that deepen theties among nations become political footballs, we threaten our very stabilityand security."