Democratic platform rejects Kyoto treaty, supports war and wall in Israel

Dems Delete Support For Kyoto Treaty in new Platform
In an initial draft of its 2004 platform, the Democratic Party has condemned the Bush’s administration unilateral foreign policy approach but it has decided not to describe the war in Iraq as a mistake or to call for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq.

Half of the 60-page draft, which was released on Saturday, concerns national security. It charges the Bush administration has walked away from more than 100 years of American leadership in the world."

In a shift from the party’s 2000 platform, the Democrats have dropped a reference to endorsing the Kyoto treaty on global warming. The platform also calls for the minimum wage to be raised from $5.15 an hour to $7 and for the roll back of tax cuts to the wealthiest 2 percent. In another shift from the Clinton/Gore years, the platform does not endorse the use of the death penalty.

On Israel, the platform explicitly endorses for the first time an independent Palestinian state but it also supports Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s controversial security measures.

Kerry: ’Israel’s cause must be America’s cause.’
Meanwhile The Boston Globe is reporting Sen. John Kerry has released a new policy paper on Israel in which he fully supports Israel’s construction of the 425-mile wall through the West Bank. Last year Kerry said the wall was a "barrier to peace," but in the new policy paper Kerry writes "the security fence is a legitimate act of self defense." The title of the paper is "Strengthening Israel’s Security and Bolstering the US-Israel Special Relationship." In one part of the paper, Kerry concludes "Israel’s cause must be America’s cause."