International Assistance
The promotion of freedom and democracy is a critical national interest. President Reagan was a champion of this idea, establishing the National Endowment for Democracy in 1983 as an instrument of U.S. public
diplomacy. The National Endowment for Democracy, and other American public
diplomacy institutions, continues today to advance and protect American ideals
and interests abroad.
The United States must commit itself to doing more to
assist refugees and displaced persons. A Republican administration will improve
America’s longstanding practice of aiding the innocent victims of political
repression, conflict, famine, and natural disasters, and we will lead other
countries in responding similarly. Republicans fully recognize that the spread
of AIDS is a terrible humanitarian disaster and will continue to emphasize
action over rhetoric. In particular, we commend the Republican Congress for
recently approving legislation to assist the victims of this disease in Africa.
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International development. We understand that promoting international economic development
is a strategic imperative of the United States. We will use American economic power to extend
security and prosperity – which leads to peace – around the world. And we will work with poor
countries to help stabilize and diversify their economies, including through the consideration of
sensible debt relief measures where appropriate. We will support efforts to reach universal basic
education and the other Millennium Development Goals.
Supporting America's foreign affairs community. We are committed to the best training,
facilities and support for America's diplomats, the men and women of America's foreign affairs
community, who represent our country and work to promote our values around the world. |
| Foreign AidThe Issue: The federal government has used foreign aid as a tool of influencing the policy of other sovereign nations under the guise of aiding needy people in those nations. This forces American taxpayers to subsidize governments and policies of which
they may not approve.
The Principle: Individuals should
not be coerced via taxes into funding a foreign nation or group.
Solutions: All foreign aid should be voluntarily funded
by individuals or private organizations.
Transitional Action:
Eliminate all tax-supported military, economic, technical and
scientific aid to foreign governments or other organizations. Abolish
government underwriting of arms sales. Abolish all federal agencies that
make American taxpayers guarantors of export-related loans, such as the
Export-Import Bank and the Commodity Credit Corporation. End the
participation of the U.S. government in international commodity circles
that restrict production, limit technological innovation and raise
prices. Repeal all prohibitions on individuals or firms contributing or
selling goods and services to any foreign country or organization,
unless such provision constitutes a direct threat to the people of the
United States.
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