Conghaileach
30th March 2003, 14:41
Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale
March 27, 2003
Dismal diplomacy
By Wayne S. Smith
It is true that even had we given the U.N. inspectors more time, in the end we still might have had to use force to disarm Saddam Hussein. But it is also true that with competent diplomacy and a little more patience, we could have gone to war with the full support of the U.N. and of the overwhelming majority of other nations.
That, however, was to expect too much of the Bush administration, for whether we are talking about the Middle East, North Korea, Venezuela or a whole series of other states and episodes, its diplomatic record is dismal. Its inept tactics, its bullying style, have alienated countries around the world -- including many who were once our close friends.
Cuba, of course, was not considered to be among the latter; relations with it were already poor, but they are now nearing a crisis point.
We have read much over the past few days about the Cuban government's deplorable crackdown against dissidents. Dozens have been arrested, including a number connected with the so-called Varela Project. Others are threatened with arrest. Yet, less than a year ago, during his visit to Cuba, President Carter met with many of these same dissidents. He spoke of the Varela Project on national television and his words were carried two days later by the official Cuban press. It was thus that many Cubans learned about the Varela Project for the first time. Further, both before and after Carter's visit, many other Americans, myself included, met regularly with these Cuban dissidents and human rights activists and expressed support for their efforts to encourage a more open society.
Full Story (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/search/sfl-27forum27mar27.story)
March 27, 2003
Dismal diplomacy
By Wayne S. Smith
It is true that even had we given the U.N. inspectors more time, in the end we still might have had to use force to disarm Saddam Hussein. But it is also true that with competent diplomacy and a little more patience, we could have gone to war with the full support of the U.N. and of the overwhelming majority of other nations.
That, however, was to expect too much of the Bush administration, for whether we are talking about the Middle East, North Korea, Venezuela or a whole series of other states and episodes, its diplomatic record is dismal. Its inept tactics, its bullying style, have alienated countries around the world -- including many who were once our close friends.
Cuba, of course, was not considered to be among the latter; relations with it were already poor, but they are now nearing a crisis point.
We have read much over the past few days about the Cuban government's deplorable crackdown against dissidents. Dozens have been arrested, including a number connected with the so-called Varela Project. Others are threatened with arrest. Yet, less than a year ago, during his visit to Cuba, President Carter met with many of these same dissidents. He spoke of the Varela Project on national television and his words were carried two days later by the official Cuban press. It was thus that many Cubans learned about the Varela Project for the first time. Further, both before and after Carter's visit, many other Americans, myself included, met regularly with these Cuban dissidents and human rights activists and expressed support for their efforts to encourage a more open society.
Full Story (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/search/sfl-27forum27mar27.story)