Former Top Counterterrorism Official Cofer Black Joins Romney For President

Thursday, Apr 26, 2007

Boston, MA - Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Cofer Black, a former top counterterrorism official at the Central Intelligence Agency and State Department, has joined his campaign for President of the United States. Black will serve as Senior Adviser for counterterrorism and national security issues.

"I am pleased to welcome Cofer Black to our campaign. He has a long and impressive career dedicated to making America safer and more secure in the world," said Governor Romney. "Our country faces a new generation of challenges and Black's experience at the forefront of our nation's counterterrorism efforts will be a tremendous asset."

Joining Romney for President, Cofer Black said, "Our country faces grave threats from abroad - threats that will require us to change our thinking, institutions and strategy if we are to prevail. Governor Romney sees clearly the threat in front of us and will give our military and intelligence professionals the tools and leadership they need to ensure that America remains strong, free and prosperous."

Background On Cofer Black:

Cofer Black Is A Former Top Counterterrorism Official With More Than 30 Years Experience. Black is Chairman of Total Intelligence Solutions. Beginning in February 2005, he became Vice Chairman of Blackwater USA and CEO of The Black Group. Black was the United States Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism with the rank of Ambassador at Large from December 2002 to November 2004. In this role, he was the point person for the U.S. government's international counterterrorism policy in the first term of the Bush administration. Prior to joining the State Department, Black had a distinguished 28-year career in the Directorate of Operations at the Central Intelligence Agency. During his CIA career, Black served six foreign tours in field management positions and served as Task Force Chief in the Near East and South Asia Division, Deputy Chief of the Latin America Division and Director of the CIA Counterterrorism Center.

Governor Mitt Romney On Today's Iraq Vote In The U.S. Senate

Thursday, Apr 26, 2007

Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on the vote in the U.S. Senate setting an Iraq withdrawal timeline:

"Today, the Democrats in the Senate have joined House Democrats in sending to the President a bill setting a date for surrender. In their attempt to micromanage the men and women in our military from Washington, Democrats in Congress have settled on a policy that demoralizes our troops, emboldens our enemies and jeopardizes the prospects for success in Iraq. I urge the President to veto this bill and send a strong message to our troops that we stand with them.

"The policy that the Democrats in Congress have embraced is both reckless and dangerous. We must also thank those Senators who recorded their support for our troops and voted against this timeline for withdrawal."

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt And House Speaker Rod Jetton Endorse Governor Mitt Romney

Thursday, Apr 26, 2007

Boston, MA - Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and House Speaker Rod Jetton have endorsed his candidacy for President of the United States. Governor Blunt and Speaker Jetton have been strong advocates for Missourians on fiscal issues, traditional values and economic growth.

"Governor Blunt and Speaker Jetton have been a powerful voice on the issues that matter most to the people of Missouri, and I am honored to have them as part of my team," said Governor Romney. "Like Matt and Rod, I believe we must reduce the burdensome taxes and regulations holding our businesses back, demand greater accountability and efficiency from government and rise to meet the new generation of challenges facing our nation in the 21st century."

Endorsing Governor Romney, Governor Blunt said, "Mitt Romney's strong conservative principles are right for America. He is a strong leader and a proven problem solver - in private business, the Olympics, and as Governor. Governor Romney lives the American values that we cherish. I believe he has a great vision for the future of the United States."

Joining Governor Blunt, Speaker Jetton said, "Governor Romney is a strong conservative leader who will restore fiscal discipline in our nation's capital. As Governor, he fought for traditional marriage and against tax increases that would have made it harder for businesses to grow. He has the values and the vision that are needed to keep America strong."

Background On Governor Matt Blunt And Speaker Rod Jetton:

Governor Matt Blunt Became Missouri's 54th Governor In 2004. Prior to his election as governor, Matt Blunt served as an active duty Naval Officer, as a member of the Missouri General Assembly and as Missouri's 37th Secretary of State. Governor Blunt has signed meaningful litigation reform to address a health care crisis that was driving doctors out of the state and also implemented significant regulatory reforms that will lower costs for small business owners. He also submitted a balanced budget to the Missouri General Assembly that contains a significant increase in funding for public schools without an increase in existing taxes or the imposition of new taxes on Missouri's working families.

Rod Jetton Was Elected To The Missouri House Of Representatives In 2000 And Became House Speaker In 2005. A Missouri native, Jetton graduated from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. In 1996, he became the youngest-ever elected member of a Missouri county commission. A former Marine Corps Officer who served in Bosnia and Somalia, he founded a real estate business that showed him how difficult his state's business climate had become for small business owners. A member of the Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, he has been a strong advocate for reduced taxes and regulation. In 2000, Jetton won a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives and was chosen as Speaker in 2005.

Policy Briefing: Combating Nuclear Terrorism

Thursday, Apr 26, 2007

Key Excerpts Of Governor Romney's Remarks At Yeshiva University (As Prepared For Delivery):

Governor Romney: "Today, America faces a number of critical challenges. In my view, at the top of the list is the threat of radical, violent Jihad and the associated threat of nuclear proliferation. I think many of us, including many of our leaders, fail to comprehend the extent of this threat. Take former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter thinks that Israel's security fence is the thing that keeps peace from coming to the Holy Land. Having just been to Israel, I came to the opposite conclusion: the security fence is keeping peace in Israel * it is helping prevent bloodshed and terror and violence."

Governor Romney: "We are faced with the horrific proposition that those who speak of genocide are developing the capability to carry it out. Radical, nuclear Jihad is the greatest threat that faces humanity. It cannot be appeased. It can only be defeated."

Governor Romney: "First, I would appoint a senior American official to serve as Ambassador-at-Large to Prevent Nuclear Terror. He or she would have the authority and resources to work across agencies and departments in the United States to ensure that our strategies are coordinated here, and abroad."

Governor Romney's Strategy To Combat The Threat Of Nuclear Terrorism:

Today, Governor Romney Outlined A New Strategy To Prevent Nuclear Material From Ending Up In The Hands Of Terrorists. While there is a threat of nuclear material from nations like Iran falling into the hands of terrorists, we must be vigilant in preventing terrorists and Jihad ists from acquiring what are commonly known as "loose nukes." To guard against this nuclear peril, Governor Romney has proposed several new initiatives including:

• Expanding And Accelerating Actions To Combat Nuclear Terrorism. The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, which was launched last year, was a good start. Yet our efforts need to be greatly accelerated and expanded. Combating the threat of nuclear Terrorism needs to be a top Presidential priority.

• Empowering A Senior Ambassador to Lead Efforts To Prevent Nuclear Terrorism. Governor Romney would appoint a new Ambassador-at-Large to Prevent Nuclear Terror. He or she would have the authority and resources needed to work across government agencies and departments to ensure that our strategies both here and abroad are coordinated.

• Making Nuclear Trafficking A Crime Against Humanity. Governor Romney would promote an international initiative to develop a new body of international law making nuclear trafficking a crime against humanity, on a par with genocide and war crimes. With universal jurisdiction, charges can be brought up in any court, preventing traffickers from hiding in complicit or weak countries. Already, people have been caught attempting to smuggle nuclear materials for sale on the black market. Their acts should not be dismissed as routine violations of the law.

• Creating A Gold Standard For Nuclear Security. Nuclear power can be inexpensive and clean. Countries seeking to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes should reaffirm their commitment to non-proliferation. For years, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty has been at the centerpiece of this effort. But because of recent technological and political developments, we need to update our efforts for the 21st century, including a new commitment to stringent security regimes.

• Frank, Direct Efforts With Russia On Containing This Threat. Governor Romney believes we must engage Russia in a frank and open discussion about the serious and disturbing turn of events in their country. At the same time, we must continue to partner with Russia in securing their vast amount of nuclear material. Russia must play a central role in any effort to prevent nuclear Terrorism.

• Removing The Incentive For Dangerous Civilian Nuclear Capabilities. The United States should take the lead in organizing and financing an international fuel bank to guarantee low-cost supplies of nuclear reactor fuel to countries willing to adhere to heightened security and safety standards. Working with the International Atomic Energy Agency, this initiative would promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy while providing new safeguards against diversion of fissile materials to terrorists.

Governor Romney Also Reiterated His Strategy To Prevent A Nuclear Iran:

Governor Romney Has Outlined A Five-Point Plan To Prevent A Nuclear Iran:

• First, We Should Tighten Economic Sanctions. The Administration deserves recognition for restricting access to banking and credit services. Other nations must act now to follow our lead. In addition, Governor Romney has called for strategic divestment from companies that support the Iranian regime's dangerous actions. As the world's financial center, no state could have a bigger impact than New York. After a new state Comptroller was named for New York, Governor Romney wrote the Comptroller, Governor Spitzer and Senators Schumer and Clinton urging them to join in the effort to stop New York pension funds from aiding Iran's efforts.

• Second, We Should Isolate Iran Diplomatically. Their leaders should be made to feel like those of Apartheid South Africa. Until there are indications that high level engagement would do anything other than reward bad behavior, the United States should not engage Iran in direct, bilateral negotiations over their nuclear weapons program. Finally, Iran's President Ahmadinejad should be indicted under the terms of the genocide Convention for incitement to genocide.

• Third, Arab States Must Join This Effort To Prevent A Nuclear Iran. These states should support Iraq's government; turn down the temperature of the Arab-Israeli conflict; stop the financial and weapons flows to Hamas and Hezbollah; and tell the Palestinians to drop their terror campaign and recognize Israel's right to exist.

• Fourth, We Must Make It Clear To The Iranian People That While Nuclear Capabilities May Be A Source Of Pride, It Can Also Be A Source Of Peril. If nuclear material from their nation falls into the hands of terrorists and is used, it would provoke a devastating response from the civilized world. The military option remains on the table.

• Fifth, Our Strategy Must Be Integrated Into A Broader Approach To The Muslim World. We must work with moderate Muslim communities and leaders to build a lasting Partnership for Prosperity and Progress.