Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Kerry Urges Lawmakers to Approve Authorisation For Use of Military Force

Top Obama administration officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry, have been making the case to Congress for an updated Authorisation for Use of Military Force against the Islamic State organisation.

The three-page resolution would take the place of the 2002 authorization for the Iraq War, but limits the use of U.S. military forces for "enduring ground operations."

Here's our Washington correspondent Lorna Shaddick.

WRAP

IN: John Kerry was...
OUT: SOC
DUR: 57 seconds
POT: 34, 40 seconds 



AUDIO: 

Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary Kerry said that although progress is being made against IS, a new mandate would send a strong signal of unity: 

IN: The President already... 
OUT: ... the Middle East 
DUR: 22 seconds 


Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary Kerry said US military efforts have already diminished the threat posed by the group, but the President wants a clear mandate to defeat them.

IN: It is clear...
OUT: ...until we prevail
DUR: 22 seconds


Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry explained why the wording of the Authorisation doesn't include any geographic limitations on where US forces can operate against IS:

IN: What a mistake... 
OUT: ...can't afford that
DUR: 14 seconds 


Defence Secretary Ash Carter says the new Authorisation for the Use of Military Force, or AUMF, satisfies two conditions he set: 

IN: First, does it...
OUT: ...AUMF does both
DUR: 26 seconds


General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified that Baghdad will need more help and time to defeat IS, and a new Authorisation would help with that: 

IN: The government of... 
OUT: ...will adapt ours
DUR: 25 seconds