Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today after meeting with the Indian Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon.

“I expressed my shock and sadness about the barbaric attacks in Mumbai to the Indian Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon, and extended my sincere condolences to the people of India and to all those who have lost loved ones.  This tragic attack is a reminder that terrorism does not distinguish race, religion or national origin.  I call upon all nations in the region to work together to root out and dismantle the terrorist networks that continue to cause violence and heartache throughout South Asia, and I reaffirmed to the Foreign Secretary the United States’s commitment to those efforts.”

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, today issued the following statement after President-Elect Obama announced several nominations for his national security team:

“I applaud President-Elect Obama’s nomination of an experienced national security team.  Hillary Clinton, James Jones, Robert Gates, Janet Napolitano, Eric Holder, and Susan Rice each have a proven record of pragmatic problem-solving and bipartisan cooperation on a host of complex challenges to U.S. national security. 

Latin America is experiencing a positive revolution of sorts. Petty military dictators and East-West ideological struggle are things of the past. Political inclusion has expanded massively through overwhelmingly democratic processes, and millions of South and Central Americans have new expectations of their governments. Like anywhere, democracy in the region is sometimes messy, and mistakes are sometimes made. But the change is good.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, today spoke in support of the U.S. – India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement currently being considered by the Senate.  Dodd is serving as the manager of the bill on the Senate floor today. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today on the Government of Ecuador opening a consulate in New Haven, CT. An estimated 50,000 Ecuadorians live in Connecticut.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) made the following opening statement at today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the U.S. – India Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.  Dodd, who is a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, chaired the hearing at the request of Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE). 

Accepts Award for Work to Promote Human Rights in Latin America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) was honored by the Washington Office on Latin America for his work in Congress to support and strengthen human rights in Latin America.  Dodd accepted WOLA’s 2008 Human Rights Award at their annual gala, where he also addressed his vision for a strategic partnership between the United States and Latin America.

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Prepared Remarks: Last month’s war between Russia and Georgia began in the small region of South Ossetia, but it cast a shadow that crosses continents.  In the aftermath of the conflict, the United States and our allies face serious new challenges. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, took to the floor of the U.S. Senate this afternoon to offer an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization Bill.  Dodd’s amendment, co-sponsored by Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN), would temporarily ease restrictions on certain regulations in order to address the humanitarian crisis in Cuba caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today on the Venezuelan government’s decision to expel United States Ambassador Patrick Duddy.