Richardson says he's 'been tested' on foreign policy

by John McCormick, updated

DES MOINES – Seeking a fresh look from voters following the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson this morning stressed his foreign policy credentials as he called for dramatic changes in relations with the Middle East nation.

In a 21-minute speech, Richardson continued his call for the elimination of all U.S. military aid to Pakistan not directly related to fighting terrorism, at least until the resignation of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

The former United Nations ambassador and congressman also suggested America should not risk electing a "foreign policy novice" during a time when there are so many global challenges.

"I offer authentic leadership," Richardson said. "I've been tested."

Noting Pakistan's possession of nuclear weapons, Richardson told about 200 people gathered in a botanical center's conference room that U.S. policy with Pakistan has moved in the wrong direction.

"We have subsidized oppression for too long, and the costs have not been only been paid in dollars," he said. "We have paid with our security. We have paid with the safety of American lives."

Later, Richardson told reporters that his Democratic primary opponents basically "want to do nothing" when it comes to changes to Pakistan policy and called their proposals "very, very bland."

Richardson has long suggested putting greater pressure on Musharraf, but his thinking was not always quite as aggressive as what he expressed today.

"You have to lean on Musharraf, who is our ally," he said during a February interview on MSNBC. "And what you don't want to do is provoke a situation, even though he's not a great champion of human rights, democracy, et cetera, to have somebody replace him who is less friendly to us, who would cause us real problems, especially if al Qaeda and the Taliban are growing."

Richardson went on: "So you're really caught in a very, very dangerous situation. So the good excuse is blame the Democratic Congress, saying, "Look, President Musharraf, the Congress, which is Democratic now, will cut off assistance to you, will cut off all kinds of aid, unless you change."

Now polling at less than 10 percent in Iowa and New Hampshire, Richardson is hoping the international unrest will encourage voters to give him and his lengthy foreign policy experience another look.

"Some of my Democratic opponents have misplaced faith in Musharraf. Like the Bush administration, they cling to a misguided notion that Musharraf can be trusted as an ally to fight terrorism or to change his despotic ways," he said. "Despite their faith, Musharraf has thumbed his nose at America again and again. How many times does the Washington conventional wisdom need to be proven tragically wrong before Washington insiders give up on it?"

Richardson argued that a policy that would encourage Musharraf to remain in power carries more risk than making a more dramatic change.

"His inadequate attempts to disrupt terrorist activities on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan have only encouraged tribal leaders to cooperate with the Taliban," he said. "Indeed, the border area has been turned into a safe haven for terrorists."

Richardson's event attracted a large gathering of local and national reporters, even though one local television crew excused itself before his post-speech press conference because there were snow-related traffic crashes to film.

Besides his Democratic opponents, Richardson also repeatedly questioned policies of the Bush administration.

"President Bush faced a choice with Pakistan – he needed to choose whether to support the dictator or the Pakistani people. He chose the dictator. Repeatedly. And by doing so, he has let down both the American and the Pakistani people," he said.

Richardson repeatedly stressed his experience with foreign policy matters.

"Nearly ten years ago, Al Qaeda first attacked America in East Africa. Months before that attack, I went to Afghanistan to press the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden," he said. "They refused. So we imposed tough UN sanctions on them, and began building a coalition to keep America safe."

Richardson also said he has offered more detail than his Democratic opponents on what to do in Afghanistan, by calling for five brigades, about 20,000 troops, to be deployed there.

"Two brigades should be sent to the border to stop terrorists from infiltrating Afghanistan through the Pakistani border," he said. "I would send two brigades to the south to fight a resurgent Taliban there. And one brigade should redeploy to the west to deter any other country from any thoughts of expansionism."

Richardson closed by asking for support in the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses.

"I ask you to today, Iowa, stand for me at the caucuses," he said. "I ask you to stand for a new foreign policy and for someone with the experience to make it happen."