Joseph R Jr

Vice President Joe Biden promised Saturday that the Obama administration would appeal a U.S. court's decision to drop charges against a group of Blackwater guards involved in a shooting that left at least 14 Iraqi civilians dead. The September 2007 shootings in a busy Baghdad square enraged Iraqis, and tempers were further inflamed last month when a U.S. federal judge dismissed criminal charges against five of the former guards for the security firm now known as Xe. The judge ruled that the prosecution improperly built the case on incriminating statements the guards were forced to give to the State Department.

I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem. The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now and runs counter to the constructive discussions that I've had here in Israel. We must build an atmosphere to support negotiations, not complicate them. This announcement underscores the need to get negotiations under way that can resolve all the outstanding issues of the conflict.

Vice President Joe Biden flew into Baghdad on Friday night with a mission to ease rising tensions over the barring of hundreds of mostly secular candidates from Iraq's upcoming elections. U.S. officials said Biden's visit, his third to the country as vice president, had been planned weeks in advance as a routine engagement with Iraqi leaders as the U.S. prepares to draw down troops this year. But the controversial decision by an Iraqi government commission to ban at least 511 candidates from the March balloting because of suspected ties to the outlawed Baath Party of the former regime has added a sense of urgency to Biden's meetings today with Iraqi leaders.

Vice President Joe Biden was due to arrive Monday in Israel on a mission to mend relations after a rocky first year for new administrations in both countries. During the three-day visit, Biden is expected to consult with Israeli leaders about Iran and kick off peace negotiations -- albeit indirect ones -- between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestine Liberation Organization led by Fatah formally endorsed U.S.-brokered talks on Sunday. But analysts and officials say the primary objective for Biden, the highest-ranking administration official to visit Israel since President Obama's election, is to give Israel's government a diplomatic nod and boost Israelis' confidence in the U.S. president.

Vice President Joe Biden was due to arrive Monday in Israel on a mission to mend relations after a rocky first year for new administrations in both countries. During the three-day visit, Biden is expected to consult with Israeli leaders about Iran and kick off peace negotiations -- albeit indirect ones -- between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestine Liberation Organization led by Fatah formally endorsed U.S.-brokered talks on Sunday. But analysts and officials say the primary objective for Biden, the highest-ranking administration official to visit Israel since President Obama's election, is to give Israel's government a diplomatic nod and boost Israelis' confidence in the U.S. president.

I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem. The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now and runs counter to the constructive discussions that I've had here in Israel. We must build an atmosphere to support negotiations, not complicate them. This announcement underscores the need to get negotiations under way that can resolve all the outstanding issues of the conflict.

Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) has been named co-chairman of Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s exploratory committee for the Democratic presidential nomination, a spokesman said Thursday. The Delaware Democrat is expected to formally announce his bid for the nomination in late May or early June.

Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) continues to improve following surgery last week to correct an aneurysm in an artery supplying blood to his brain, a spokesman for Walter Reed Army Medical Center said Tuesday. Pete Esker said Biden "spent a quiet night" after being transferred out of the intensive care unit.

Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) said Monday that he will formally announce in May his candidacy for his party's presidential nomination. Biden told supporters at a Statehouse news conference that "my intention is to run . . . . I plan on being a candidate for President."

Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) was listed in satisfactory condition Wednesday, one day after surgeons corrected an aneurysm on an artery that supplies blood to the right side of his brain, a Walter Reed Army Medical Center spokesman said. "Sen. Biden spent a restful night and is in good spirits," spokesman Peter Esker said.

Vice President Joe Biden promised Saturday that the Obama administration would appeal a U.S. court's decision to drop charges against a group of Blackwater guards involved in a shooting that left at least 14 Iraqi civilians dead. The September 2007 shootings in a busy Baghdad square enraged Iraqis, and tempers were further inflamed last month when a U.S. federal judge dismissed criminal charges against five of the former guards for the security firm now known as Xe. The judge ruled that the prosecution improperly built the case on incriminating statements the guards were forced to give to the State Department.

Vice President Joe Biden flew into Baghdad on Friday night with a mission to ease rising tensions over the barring of hundreds of mostly secular candidates from Iraq's upcoming elections. U.S. officials said Biden's visit, his third to the country as vice president, had been planned weeks in advance as a routine engagement with Iraqi leaders as the U.S. prepares to draw down troops this year. But the controversial decision by an Iraqi government commission to ban at least 511 candidates from the March balloting because of suspected ties to the outlawed Baath Party of the former regime has added a sense of urgency to Biden's meetings today with Iraqi leaders.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sens. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) and Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) are the first presidential candidates to promise not to campaign in states that hold early nominating contests in violation of Democratic Party rules. They signed onto a pledge circulated by Democratic leaders of the four states that have the party's blessing to hold early contests -- Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Delaware Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. will not enter the Democratic race for the White House in 2004. He said that his campaign would be "a long shot" and that he could wield the most influence in the Senate. Biden, who lost a 1988 presidential bid, had pondered joining the nine Democrats vying for the right to challenge President Bush and had promised a decision by early September.