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Mitt Romney 'On the Record,' Pt. 2: GOP presidential candidate on US role in Palestinian-Israeli conflict, unrest in Syria and America as a moral auth...
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Tonight governor Mitt Romney is back in the united -- just wrapped up an overseas trip to England Israel and Poland and the record -- with governor -- it every stop in in Jerusalem we talk to him on the record here's part two of our interview with governor Romney.
Would you agree that of the complex has no effect on us.
Whether it be sort of part of the field for you Ron I mean if if if he -- -- Theoretically the Palestinians Israeli conflict that might defuse Iran considerably.
But -- so does have an impact as we spend an awful lot of money three billion dollars last year an aid to Israel so solid -- just spectators.
And we'll help that they want help minute he'll Wear more involved -- it it has an impact.
Asked whether there's no question but the developments around the world have an impact on the United States I don't believe.
That the developments in the Middle East all flow from the Palestinian Israeli conflict Iran's pursuit.
Of nuclear weaponry.
Have has -- overwhelmingly to do with their desire to become the the dominant power in the Middle East.
It's who have the capacity -- execute their will and others and dominate others.
The that that doesn't minimize in my view the the importance of resolving the Palestinian and and -- -- Israeli conflict.
But much of what goes on Middle East from Tunisia.
Egypt what's happening in Syria and of course Iran's nuclear program has little if anything to do with what's happening here in Israel.
Has very much to do.
With with geo political designs and various leaders with people seeking freedom in some cases with the results of elections now free in a place like like Egypt.
So yes do we want to see peace in the Middle East meaning between the Palestinians and Israel absolutely do we want to encourage that -- facilities to facilitate that yes.
But but for that to happen.
Ultimately the Palestinians are gonna wanna have to sit down and negotiate and so are the Israelis and I know the Israelis.
Are ready willing and able to do so without precondition.
So we just wait -- there's some role for us to sort of you know encourage -- jumpstart discussions.
Well that's the current administration has -- encouraged discussions and encourage the process.
But again because some on foreign soil I don't want to describe what might be different a different course that I might take if our president.
But but the president has said has sent an envoy to be responsible for not pursuing negotiations here between the Israelis and Palestinians.
It's it's a high priority for our country -- one which I believe any future president would -- was still committed to.
Thumb is there any I I guess I'm trying to think it is eluded everybody.
You know another and in the sink it in just a -- -- no one seems villain to jump start you know and -- and I wondered if you have any sort of different thought on how we don't like us.
-- -- but again.
Didn't -- and and you understand this long tradition ever since Sunday with senator Vandenberg of Michigan news and politics stops at the water's edge.
And foreign policy should not be made by challengers to -- -- -- of the foreign policy of our nation.
Is guided by the president and his administration as long as is in power so -- I'm not gonna on foreign soil.
Lay out a -- posture with regards to the peace process that would be a different than that of the current administration.
That doesn't mean I don't have ideas of my own.
But I but I do have great commitment to -- the Palestinians and the Israelis are coming and negotiating.
Amongst themselves.
And -- and America will be part of that effort I'm sure we will have encourage it and hopefully others will as well.
But that's something which.
I hope to see occurred.
Sometime in the near future.
Syria.
It in the event Syria.
Libya Saudi regime falls and everyone I'm not everyone but a lot of you wanna see them regime bombing Russia doesn't.
But if it does fall there's -- fear that day chemical biological weapons we'll get in the hands of Hezbollah for instance and here in Israel that some grave concern as it should be -- the people around the world.
Any thoughts about that.
Well obviously there's a real concern that this has Syria goes to the tumult which is expert is experiencing.
That there is not -- that they -- if you -- governing body among the opposition which tends to control the various elements of of that opposition but instead it is a -- far more disperse uprising against the government.
Have a side.
And so if and when he falls I think it is -- by the way I don't think you can do what he's done to his people and expect to retain power.
If he falls they're they're may well be if left to its natural course.
A great deal of fragmentation.
In the leadership that that that steps forward.
That may well mean that that biological.
And or chemical weapons could could become available to.
To the the most hostile and and horrible hands.
And so our nation as well as of the nations in the region.
And need to take okay I care.
To assure that those -- those weapons do not fall into the hands of groups like al-Qaeda or Hezbollah.
So this is an area of great concern.
Agenda and I I presume that our administration.
Is taking every reasonable precaution.
To avoid that -- that that potentiality.
He has speech in Nevada.
Last week found is it going to rest up and as I understand it cracked -- rises that you see the vision for the United States as one of having.
A -- moral authority in the world to set a fair description.
Well I believe that we have to have confidence that our cause is right.
That we have to have clarity our purpose and communicate to the world what our purpose is -- and the we have to have resolved in our application of our military might.
And and so I I I would do that suggests that -- my approaches.
Is only to use one tool but instead use all the tools of soft power and hard power.
As necessary to protect the interest of the United States and and to secure our legitimate and serious -- security the priorities.
Is there a way to -- define and maybe this is is it knew how far we go -- some people think the other we shouldn't.
You know be involved in a lot of conflicts around about -- where he sort of draw the line.
When is it appropriate for us to get involved anyway whether diplomatically.
Or money or militarily how how do you said the -- to draw the line big picture.
Well that from the line of great greatest significance is the the kinetic -- a lot of military involvement.
And and a decision to send American troops.
Into battle.
It is a decision which would have to pass a very high hurdle.
This is not something you do lightly.
That hurdle would include being very clear that there is a very significant.
US security interests at stake.
That there is a very clear mission described.
That that mission would have been communicated not just to the troops but also to the American people that we would know how to determine whether -- mission had been successful or not when it was completed.
That we would have a planned for what would happen after a mission was complete and what would be the state of the nation -- that that the conflict area after our mission was complete.
And that we would provide all of the resources necessary.
To make sure that our our troops and our resources were we're able to meet that objective -- safety to the extent humanly possible.
So those that's a very high hurdle.
And and I can't tell you as a general -- before when when you would apply those resources but I can tell you all those elements would have to be in place.
You haven't that was as president.
Press here.
Prime minister Netanyahu.
We didn't meet with prime minister president's desk and Mahmoud Abbas -- the Palestinian president.
We'll be meeting with the prime minister mystified that and I have met with him in the past please be our third meeting.
I respect by him and respect -- leaders in the in this region.
And a -- -- and look forward to having an exchange of ideas and and at a briefing from him.
Europe is an economic mess and it is contagious and as a -- impact on us home.
Do you foresee any improvement in Europe's economic situation in the near future by the near future in the next six straight months.
Well.
I expect that within the next six to eight months will have greater clarity as to what direction you're there has got to pursue.
The the status quo is this is one that is -- turbulent.
And and there's gonna have to be greater clarity with regards to the resolution in -- How Spain.
Will ultimately -- shake out.
-- -- they don't I have my own views in this regard I don't know that I'm I'm in position to try until the Europeans how to manage the European Union.
Except that did whatever they do it does have an impact on -- it's not like we can just.
Watch them -- where we are interconnected whether we like it or not you know I think many people who looked at the setting feel as I do.
That Europe he's either needs to have a -- more.
Centralized.
A series of policies with regards to -- fiscal policy.
As one course or instead.
You know you'll see more of a disintegration of the respective.
Directions of the poorest nations within the EU has so they're there to -- that they can be taken.
No one is either greater.
Unity and in greater the central direction of the others had to go back towards more of national.
Sovereign oriented.
Policies I think the the current uncertainty as to which way -- we'll go.
Is is something which will be resolved over the next six months and perhaps -- earlier side of that.
And I never had some of your choosing as -- running mid Canadian mid teens about what and that that decision and I it was sort of a hint -- -- -- be done either apple before the convention unless -- happen after.
I have thought about -- made up your mind yet.
I've not made a final decision I don't like in 194050.
Daley's guess I don't know percentages -- -- -- how close you are making a decision now knows our -- nothing for in the VP front -- tried.
Half -- -- thanks.
