DIP DOINGS
Ever and always here is, it seems, we find more excuses enabling us to avoid making use of established diplomatic principles in attempting to find solutions for our many international problems.
Political pressures narrow the perspective too much, and the problems take on escapist and make-do qualities which delude those undertaking negotiations for either , or both, sides. Good diplomacy transcends political cant.
We now have the capability of making use of these basic principles once more. In recent years their use has been out of fashion and inhibited by various points of non-alignment between our Executive and State Departments, but Secretary of State Colin Powell is , obviously, moving into new and promising areas of diplomacy which full accord of the Presidential office and staff.
This is a refreshing . Once more the channel through which many feel we might, at last, seek that way to peace and updated understandings which have long eluded us is open.. Capable individuals who have held the main position at “State”but have not always been accorded freedom needed to fashion agreements, to make concessions or adjustments to engender hopes of lasting peace.
This past week we have heard a well-oriented, sensitive and sensible report by Secretary of State Colin Powell concerning the pitiable situation in the Sudan. That which happens far away in Africa's Khartoum is among our vital concerns in spite of the fact that it is, at the moment, overshadowed and upstaged by our war against terrorism in other areas. Those who find it politically difficult, o support fully our present war situation, might well expend some of their protesting energies and funds by earnestly doing what they can to relive the needs of men, women and children suffering terror in the Sudan; genocide, murder and organized rape of wealth and sustenance supplies.
Secretary Powell has set forth the requirements for such service andit remains for resposive individuals and groups here at home to respond to the need insofar as they find it possible. Now that we have a man of such sterling character and purpose at the head of our State Department, we can, once again that area of peacemaking in which diplomacy is the “big stick” rather than force. The Secretary faces a battle on The Hill because there are still liberal lovers of power by purchase up there, well placed, and trying, at every turn, to control such situations to their own political advantage here at home.
We, as a nation, need to earnestly seek to try to pay more attention to the diplomatic resurgence which seems to be underway. All war are settled,
eventually by diplomacy, which is what “peace conferences” are all about when they are, at last, called.
A..L.M. September 11, 2004 [c463wds]
