All Former Secretaries of State Urge Support for International Affairs Budget

In an important sign of unity among America’s most respected diplomats, all eight former Secretaries of State have teamed up to write Congress in support of President Obama’s FY11 $58.5 billion International Affairs Budget request. Every Member of Congress received a copy of the letter, which calls on Representatives and Senators to boost America’s vital civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy.

“Increasing the investment in our civilian international capabilities will keep America safer by, among other things, addressing the root causes of terrorism and extremism, supporting key allies, and demonstrating America’s proud tradition of global leadership,” write former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright, James Baker, Warren Christopher, Lawrence Eagleburger, Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and George Shultz.

Secretary of Defense Gates and current Secretary of State Clinton, both wrote individual letters urging that the President’s International Affairs Budget request be fully funded. These letters follow similar petitions from a bi-partisan coalition of Congressional Leaders.

Read all the Letters of Support:

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