An Oasis

Strengthen U.S. Diplomacy

, US Politics

Senator Richard G. Lugar, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee argues in the Foreign Service Journal that the U.S. must Strengthen Diplomacy for the War on Terror [PDF].

After President Bush's address to the U.N. General Assembly today which characteristically continued the black and white theme of his diplomacy ("with us or against us", "those who seek order, and those who spread chaos") it is timely to reflect on the methods of international diplomacy and to wonder whether this line of U.S. diplomacy is best serving the people of America or whether the underlying message "with us or against us" serves more powerfully to foment anger amongst a world of proud sovereign nations unused often and unwilling universally to be the target of such an overtly uncaring U.S. Administration.

I can never decide whether it is the words or the delivery that rankles most every time Bush steps up to a podium. Perhaps the same words delivered in a less patronising manner would be less damaging. Different words delivered by a different person would be altogether more promising if, as I believe, peace and security must be achieved through global co-operation and friendship based on interdependence and trust.

Posted by Paul at September 23, 2003 09:38 PM |