U.S Policies and Issues

Colin L. Powell became the 65th Secretary of State on January 20, 2001. As he stated at his confirmation hearing, the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy during his tenure will be that "America stands ready to help any country that wishes to join the democratic world."

Secretary Powell has also been devoted to grasping opportunities as well as to confronting the global and regional security challenges of the 21^st century. He has been at the forefront of the administration's efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide - in the fight against HIV/AIDs, in the promise of the Millennium Challenge Account, and in pursuing a freer trading and investment climate worldwide. These efforts, too, are not separate from the nation's security agenda. As the Secretary said at Princeton University on February 20, 2004, "we must build a better future even as we deal with the security challenges before us. That is how we'll overcome those challenges, because it's not enough to fight against a negative, like terrorism. We must focus on what inspires us, on what brings the good people of the world together. We've got to fight for the positive -- for liberty, for freedom, for democracy."