Pompeo asserts importance of USA arms sales to Taiwan

He told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he would restore “swagger” to a State Department left in tatters by Rex Tillerson, and strengthen relations with USA partners left ragged after the tumultuous first year of President Donald Trump’s administration.

“If there’s no chance that we can fix it, I will recommend the president to do our level best to work with our allies to achieve a better outcome and a better deal”, he said.

Pompeo said the State Department employees, in the past few weeks, expressed to him their hope to be empowered in their roles and have a clear understanding of the president’s mission. But he did not give a definite answer when asked by Democrats what he would do if Trump decides to pull out.

Under questioning, he said he would be unlikely to resign as secretary of state if Trump were to fire Mueller.

Trump fired Comey less than two months later.

But Mr. Pompeo’s comments on other matters raised alarm bells.

“We would like to once again state that Russian Federation does not engage in regime changes, meddling in domestic affairs of other states or masterminding staged ‘revolutions.’ The US however, has mastered these techniques, as they have quite an experience in this area”, the Embassy said late on Thursday. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) when she decried the “increasing complaints” raised regarding Pompeo during his tenure as Central Intelligence Agency director.

To the dismay of some Democratic lawmakers, Pompeo equivocated when asked about climate change – acknowledging it is occurring but saying only that it’s “likely” that humans are contributing to it.

The future secretary of state argued that to achieve this point, America needs to continue the effort it has undertaken.

Pompeo also offered senators new details about a recent United States strike in Syria that killed “a couple hundred Russians” – a figure that United States government officials have not previously disclosed.

Pompeo said he favored a “fix” and believed Iran was not “racing” to develop a nuclear weapon before the deal was finalized, and that he did not expect it would do so if the deal were to fall apart. If Trump abandons the certification, then economic sanctions on Iran resume, and that would probably upend the multinational nuclear accord.

USA relations with Russia have further deteriorated recently due to the “poisoning attack” of an ex-Russian spy, the following expulsion of Russian diplomats and various sanctions imposed under different charges. “I look forward to doing that if I’m confirmed as well, senator”.

Pompeo described a goal of getting the North Korean leadership to agree to “step away from its efforts to hold America at risk with nuclear weapons”. Senator Chris Coons said he was “confident” Pompeo would be a strong advocate for diplomats. But Pompeo refused to take back his previous statements. At least one Republican-Rand Paul-has already announced he will vote against Pompeo due to his support for the Iraq invasion and for torture.

Unlike Rex Tillerson before him, Pompeo clearly enjoys Trump’s trust.

“I think we’re going with a lot of respect, and we’ll see what happens”.

Menendez also had stern words for Pompeo.

The top diplomat nominee also provided a laundry list of accomplishments the Trump Administration has racked up to counter Moscow, including killing hundreds of Russians. “Will you stand up to President Trump and advise him differently when he is wrong?”

The committee is expected to meet April 23 to consider Pompeo’s nomination.

“Where your job is to work with the worldwide community, our friends and foes alike to try to get diplomacy to work, and yet the United States would be the only country saying we don’t want to talk to you about climate under the arrangements that every other country is dealing with”, Cardin said. He has also been criticized for his past opposition to gay rights.

Markey asked if Pompeo could envision a scenario where USA ground troops would be used.

Pompeo defended himself strongly, saying his “record is exquisite” when it comes to fair treatment of the men and women under his charge as a government official, military officer, and private businessman. “I have worked closely with Muslim leaders, with Muslim countries. This is the core of who I am”, he said.