February 21, 2006

Public Diplomacy Watch

Karen Hughes:

Throughout the Islamic world, people are beginning to make their voices heard in free elections. I’ll never forget waking up in the morning and seeing the pictures in my newspaper, somewhat blurry because of the tears in my eyes -- of the long lines of men and women in Afghanistan and later Iraq -- defying the threat of death to vote for a better future -- and raising purple ink-stained fingers in triumph. Think about the enormity of what we have witnessed in a very short time: two elections in Afghanistan for a president and a parliament; three elections in Iraq for a constitution, an interim and permanent government, two in Egypt for President and Parliament, two in the Palestinian territories, one in Lebanon, and municipal elections in Saudi Arabia. Some of these elections were more open and freer than others, each had a very different outcome, yet each was a part of fostering freedom by encouraging debate, stimulating discussion, allowing greater participation of people who deserve to chart their own course to their future.

Recently, the Palestinian people had an election and voted for change. I want the Palestinian people to know that America shares your hope for a better life and your dream of a state of your own living side by side in peace with Israel, and we are working to help you achieve both. We congratulate you on conducting free, fair and open elections. You made your voices heard -- you want better services and an end to corruption. We also believe you want to live and work and raise your children in peace. President Bush spoke of that dream -- of two free and democratic states living side by side in peace and freedom. That vision of course is only possible if we all accept the idea of two states. The two-state concept is at the heart of two peace treaties, and many international decisions, agreements and understandings -- yet it is still not accepted by some. But to live, to work, to go to school, to live free and productive lives, people must feel free from violence and terror -- and must understand that others should have that same freedom from fear. America and the international community, which care deeply about the Palestinian people, have quite reasonably said that we must all share the same principles -- principles we have agreed on through years of negotiations-- to arrive at our common goal of Palestinian statehood. And so to deliver on its promises to achieve a better future for the Palestinian people, it is the responsibility of any Palestinian government to renounce violence and terror, to recognize Israel’s right to exist and to accept previous agreements and obligations, including the roadmap. This is the only way forward.

The best spin on a hugely complex situation--basically trying to sketch a rational middle-way forward as policy is formed reactively, somewhat on the fly, with the general aim of moving Hamas towards the two-state option? Or, worse, uneven rhetoric, riddled with contradictions, hypocrisies even ("better services")--with democratic processes being met by diktats (albeit saccharine-infused), all but guaranteeing a highly skeptical reception?

I'll try to weigh in later, but welcome commenters' views....

The best spin on a hugely complex situation--basically trying to sketch a rational middle-way forward as policy is formed reactively, somewhat on the fly, with the general aim of moving Hamas towards the two-state option? Or, worse, uneven rhetoric, riddled with contradictions, hypocrisies even ("better services")--with democratic processes being met by diktats (albeit saccharine-infused), all but guaranteeing a highly skeptical reception?

Good questions. Please provide your approach which you feel confident to have better success.

I am pleased to report that I don't have any.

Posted by: Kevin P. at February 21, 2006 12:10 PM | Permalink to this comment

"Break(ing) up the sclerotic power structures of the ME" was how I think it was put by the latest retired public servant angling for a book deal. I can't disagree with this assesment. The question is what do you replace these with? We have rolled the dice and will have to bear the consequences. It is entirely naive to think that we would have been able to fight this kind of extremism with an ad campaign.

Posted by: Chuck at February 21, 2006 04:29 PM | Permalink to this comment

One possible explanation is they don't know what to do, so they just kick the can down the road aways.

Posted by: Chris at February 21, 2006 05:03 PM | Permalink to this comment

Hughes: we must all share the same principles

Say, BD... Why don't you explain in a separate essay what you consider the minimum shared principles of society.

Posted by: sbw at February 21, 2006 06:22 PM | Permalink to this comment

I'm sorry but didn't anyone else read the second sentence - the blurry eyes, and see overly dramatic emotionally wrought crap... I mean give me a break - surely people don't actually believe that??

I'd expect Senior Government officials to spare us the dramatics and stick to making objective statements. Or am I alone in this?

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