WASHINGTON, Oct 31 (AFP) - National security and foreign policy have dominated the White House race between President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry to a degree not seen since the Vietnam War. Here is a sampling of the candidate's views:

GLOBAL STRATEGY

Bush: "The most solemn duty of the American president is to protect the American people. And if our country, if America shows any uncertainty or any weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This is not going to happen on my watch." -- Speech, Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, October 30, 2004

Kerry: "The most important thing to relieve the pressure on all of our Armed Forces is, frankly, to run a foreign policy that recognizes that America is strongest when we are working with real alliances, when we are sharing the burdens of the world by working through our statesmanship at the highest levels, and our diplomacy to bring other nations to our side." -- Third debate, Tempe, Arizona, October 13, 2004

WAR ON TERRORISM

Bush: "I believe that America wins wars by fighting on the offensive. When I saw those images of the fire and death on September the 11th, I made a decision: Our country will not sit back and wait for future attacks. We will prevent those attacks by going after the enemy." -- Speech, Greeley, Colorado, October 25, 2004

Kerry: "As president, I will fight a smarter, more effective war on terror. We will deploy every tool in our arsenal: our economic as well as our military might; our principles as well as our firepower." -- Remarks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 18, 2004

IRAQ

Bush: "Victory in Iraq is essential to victory in the war on terror. ... If a terror regime were allowed to reemerge in Iraq, terrorists would again find a home, a source of funding, and vital support. They would correctly conclude that free nations do not have the will to defend themselves." -- Speech, Greeley, Colorado, October 25, 2004

Kerry: "The invasion of Iraq was a profound diversion from the battle against our greatest enemy -- Al-Qaeda -- which killed more than 3,000 people on 9/11 and which still plots our destruction today. ... As president, I will finish the job in Iraq and refocus our energies on the real war on terror." -- Speech, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 24, 2004

AFGHANISTAN

Bush: "Our coalition is working with President Karzai to help the people of Afghanistan build a modern, peaceful and democratic government. ... We're making progress." -- Speech, Washington, May 18, 2004

Kerry: "Today, warlords again control much of that country, the Taliban is regrouping, opium production is at an all time high and the Al-Qaeda leadership still plots and plans, not only there but in 60 other nations." -- Speech, New York University, September 20, 2004

IRAN

Bush: "We work very closely with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Great Britain, who have been the folks delivering the message to the mullahs that if you expect to be part of the world of nations, get rid of your nuclear programs." -- First debate, Coral Gables, Florida, September 30, 2004

Kerry: "I will reassert American leadership. Iran must verifiably and permanently end the production of nuclear materials for weapons. If Iran refuses, I will lead the world to take tough measures, including sanctions." -- Speech, Waterloo, Iowa, October 20, 2004

NORTH KOREA

Bush: "I can't tell you how big a mistake I think that is, to have bilateral talks with North Korea. It's precisely what Kim Jong Il wants. It will cause the six-party talks to evaporate. It means that China no longer is involved in convincing, along with us, for Kim Jong Il to get rid of his weapons." -- First debate, Coral Gables, Florida, September 30, 2004

Kerry: "We should maintain the six-party talks, but we must also be prepared to talk directly with North Korea. This problem is too urgent to allow China, or others at the table, to speak for us." -- Speech, West Palm Beach, Florida, June 1, 2004

DARFUR

Bush: "We have concluded that genocide has taken place in Darfur. We urge the international community to work with us to prevent and suppress acts of genocide. We call on the United Nations to undertake a full investigation of the genocide and other crimes in Darfur." -- Written statement, September 9, 2004.

Kerry: "The government of Sudan and the people of Darfur must understand that America stands prepared to act, in concert with our allies and the UN, to prevent the further loss of innocent lives." -- Speech before the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 15, 2004

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

Bush: "We're working toward the goal of a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace. Prime Minister Sharon's plan to remove all settlements from Gaza and several from the West Bank is a courageous step toward peace. ... This success will require reform-minded Palestinians to step forward and lead and meet their road map obligations." -- Speech at the US Air Force Academy, June 2, 2004.

Kerry: "When I am president of the United States, my promise to the people of Israel will be this: We will never pressure you to compromise your security. We will never expect you to negotiate for peace without a credible partner." -- Speech to the Anti-Defamation League, Washington, May 3, 2004

SAUDI ARABIA

Bush: "Before September the 11th, in Saudi Arabia, terrorists were raising money and recruiting and operating with little opposition. Today, the Saudi government has taken the fight to al Qaeda, and America and the world are safer." -- Speech, Cambridge, Ohio, July 31, 2004

Kerry: "As president, I will do what President Bush has not: I will hold the Saudis accountable. Since 9/11, there have been no public prosecutions in Saudi Arabia, and few elsewhere, of terrorist financers. I will work with our allies, with the World Bank and international financial institutions to shut down the financial pipeline that keeps terrorism alive." -- Speech, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 24, 2004

INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Bush: "To create jobs, we got to reject economic isolationism and open up markets. ... What I'm saying to places like China: 'You treat us the way we treat you. You open up your markets.' And I'm saying that because I know we can compete with anybody, any time, anywhere so long as the rules are fair." -- Speech, Hobbs, New Mexico, October 11, 2004

Kerry: "I strongly believe that America must engage in the global economy, and I voted for trade opening from NAFTA to the WTO. But at the same time, I have always believed that we need to fight for a level playing field for America's workers." -- Op-ed article, Wall Street Journal, September 15, 2004

ENVIRONMENT

Bush: "The quality of air is cleaner since I've been the president of the United States. And we'll continue to spend money on research and development because I truly believe that's the way to get from how we live today to being able to live a standard of living that we're accustomed to, and being able to protect our environment better -- the use of technologies." -- Second debate, St. Louis, Missouri, October 8, 2004

Kerry: "We will return America to its rightful role as a leader in the global battle against climate change, poverty and the spread of disease. Global problems know no boundaries. The Earth is a small planet where wind and water, poison and pollution, know no borders." -- Speech, New Hampshire, October 20, 2003.

10/31/2004 02:17 GMT - AFP