Senator John Edwards (D-NC)

Q: Both the United States and India have been the victims of international terrorism. Both countries have established working groups and conducted joint anti-terrorism exercises to address this issue. As President, what will you do to support and enhance this relationship?

SEN. JOHN EDWARDSPromoting a strong U.S.-Indian relationship will be one of my highest priorities. India is the world’s largest democracy and is in a critical part of the world, and the United States and India share many common interests ---- and one of the most important is fighting international terrorism. To fight international terrorism, we should enhance our efforts to cooperate in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, and non-proliferation. We also need to continue to seek a permanent end to the cross-border terrorism that India has suffered.



Q: What are your views on India’s bid to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council?

As a strong supporter of the United Nations, I believe that the United States must play an active role in that vital international organization. We must help reform the United Nations to make it more efficient, effective and reflective of 21st century challenges and realities. This includes reform of the United Nations Security Council. As the United States and India draw closer on all issues ---- including non-proliferation ---- I would be prepared to support India’s becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.



Q: The United States and India have recently conducted a series of joint military exercises. As President, how would you approach the burgeoning defense relationship between the United States and India? Would you support greater U.S. defense sales to India?

The United States and India share many common strategic interests. I agree with Prime Minister Vajpayee that as the world’s largest democracies, and with the values and principles that we share, the U.S. and India are “natural allies.” As natural allies, we should continue to cooperate on a wide range of defense issues, including joint military exercises and the sale of military equipment when this enhances India’s security and contributes to regional stability.



Q: As President, would you support establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India?

As one of the world’s largest and most important markets, India is a prominent example of President Bush’s misguided trade priorities. Increased trade with India could create many jobs in the United States. Yet, instead ofng markets like India’s, President Bush is negotiating faulty deals with small countries ---- deals that are unlikely to make a real difference for our economy. Increased trade with India, in a context that provides basic labor and environmental protections, could create many jobs at home.

Q: Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Indian Americans, specifically Sikh Americans, have been the victims of serious hate crimes. Do you support stronger hate crimes legislation? As President, what would you do to curb the occurrence of hate crimes?

America cannot allow fear to motivate crimes based on hate. Such crimes not only harm the victim and his or her family; they also have devastating effects on the community sharing the victim’s traits. That is why I have co-sponsored legislation to strengthen enforcement and penalties for hate crimes.

These laws will help provide needed federal assistance to states that have extraordinary expenses in investigating and prosecuting crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Law enforcement officials must be better trained to recognize and prevent hate crimes, and criminals using children to commit hate crimes should be subject to enhanced penalties.



Q: How do you respond to fears that law enforcement’s increased use, or proposed use, of invasive technology is a violation of basic privacy rights?

New technologies create important opportunities to make us safer, but also great possibilities for abuse. We should use technology in a way that aids the battle against terrorism but safeguards the fundamental liberties that define our country. This requires important checks ---- limits on when different types of data mining are appropriate and with whom results may be shared, for example, as well as data trails and accountability to the public. In Congress, I authored legislation to establish new guidelines for the use of new surveillance and data mining technologies in a way that respects our privacy. Unfortunately, Attorney General John Ashcroft has abused his authority and claimed unprecedented power.



Q: Do you support the Department of Homeland Security’s plans to replace the current visa control system (NSEERS)?

The goals of the new entry/exit system are important ---- facilitating legitimate travel and trade, enhancing national security, and adhering to U.S. privacy laws and policies. We need to ensure that this program is implemented in a way that protects our privacy and does not harm trade or travel. Among other things, we must use more sophisticated screening technology to identify terrorists or other dangerous individuals before they cross our borders while still allowing legitimate travelers to enter our country.



Q: Some estimates place the number of Indian-American physicians at over 35,000. Given this fact, what are your views on addressing the severe medical malpractice insurance problem facing the industry?

The rising cost of malpractice insurance for doctors is getting in the way of good health care. Any solution must free doctors from crippling insurance costs ---- without preventing the most badly injured victims from receiving the compensation they deserve. In my view, the record does not show that premium caps reduce premiums. States with premium caps average the same premiums as states without caps; insurance premiums seem most responsive to insurance companies’ gains or losses on investment, not losses to victims. I do believe we need a solution to the malpractice problem. Here’s what my plan would do. First, it will crack down on price gouging by the industry. Insurance companies can fix prices and divvy up the country in order to drive up their profits. Even when companies don’t explicitly collude, they set their rates based on a trade-group loss calculation that they know other companies will follow. Second, it will take aggressive action against frivolous lawsuits that don’t belong in court ---- not against the serious lawsuits that bring help to the most badly injured. Lawyers who file three frivolous cases should be forbidden to bring another suit for the next 10 years.



Q: What are your views on the efficacy of Affirmative Action as it has been implemented?

We are a country founded on equality, and affirmative action still plays a critical role in ensuring equal opportunity for everyone. I filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Michigan’s admission policy in the recent Supreme Court case. The Court upheld the constitutionality of affirmative action, and recognized that schools have a compelling interest to promote racial diversity. Affirmative action is about expanding opportunities to everyone, and I support it.