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and International Studies Programs. Great Decisions Program, 2004 Speakers' Notes. Organized by Prof. Grant Hammond, Air War College. Schools organizers: Emerson Johnson, Margaret Carpenter. (Page by Jeremy Lewis; last revised 24 Jun. '04 with notes.) |
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9 Feb 2004: Amb. Earle Scarlett, "Public Diplomacy: promotion of values to publics, not merely Governments." New interest since 9/11; how can the US present more friendly image? Diplomatic sources, instruments of national power. US dominant in aggregated, cumulative power. Rampant terrorism since 9/11. Diplomacy tool to influence others, promote US via publics not just w/ Governments. Reduce likelihood of terrorism spreading via public diplomacy. Previously USIA scholars, translations, linkages with Universities -- but incorporated into State Dept. 3 years ago. Primarily achieved now via consulates correcting stories in local press, trying to reduce demonstrations against US. Committees now seeking a method to project positive image of US. US TV now shows different imagery than desired by diplomacy -- open society, no longer isolated by geography. Urging now greater intercultural and interfaith relations, ecumenical dialogue -- but many leaders do not provide funding to support public diplomatic efforts. "Gap between talk and action -- and money." Should this effort be based in White House or in depts. -- or should there be one agency responsible, not too bureaucratic. IF White House involved may seem too politically motivated to be useful. Previous efforts: Fulbright, Smith-Mundt act, Exchanges of scholars and performing arts during cold war. Argued that we need that program even more now post cold war because adversaries are nebulous but extremists. They gain support from those outside society, motivated by religion. Scarlett was a political reporting officer -- this info Iron Law of Oligarchy - fewer people make decisions on responding to crisis. Scarlett on China task force in Tiannanmen square -- cross pressured by Tibetan pr group, news services and pro business groups on issue to whether to publicly complain about human rights violations. Realpolitik issues always -- e.g. what was US vital interest in Bosnia, debated among policy makers. Ethnic Lobbies in Washington e.g. Greeks on Cyprus issue, Afro Americans on African issues, Kosovars in Bronx. Local US political dynamic also: position taken about foreign issue also reverberates in domestic policy. Demos outside embassies are common -- even in Ireland, as well as other countries. Texas executions for example -- contrast with Turkey dropping them to enter EU. Middle east -- US policy to Israel cannot be de-linked from general policy w/ terrorism. Pres. Bush initially announced would not send high level envoys ot middle east, but post 9/11 has had to go himself. Should avoid fixed pronouncements. Post cold war linguists reduced till 9/11. E.g. retiree had to be recalled to be US spokesperson in Afghan. USIA folding into State Dept. was bad idea. Wife was in USIA all career -- retired when USIA combined. Report by Baker Institute: New strategic Direction for US public diplomacy ... from Amb.. Djerijian. No previous empires historically had power of current US. No precedent for current [al Qaeda terrorism.] Newt Gingrich, Rogue State Dept. critique -- debate with Scarlett. Lawrence Silberman, political appointee, long article criticizing State Dept. and Foreign Service officers have too much influence n policy. Difficult to run State Dept. like Military -- in fact, ambassadors far more likely to die abroad than generals. Foreign service officers must continue to report events as they see them, living in community unless there is a security problem. Critics are often blatantly ignorant of the way we do business. Student: middle easterners see only democracy is Israel, and not fair to Palestinian children. Public diplomacy tries to persuade people because many governments not real democracies, not representative of people. Voting not enough without responsiveness and accountability. democracies vary -- e.g. in British influenced countries, ministers must be elected. Solution: fund translate books, cultural and intellectual exchange, academic libraries reestablished. in third world cities. Largest used to be in Brazil, speakers brought in. Environment for international living type organizations. Sister cities, promoting commerce and dialogue. Many Chinese students in US, big business for economy -- but they can't return to US now because of Homeland security. This upsets elite parents abroad. Fingerprinting of visitors angers those abroad -- Brazil now wants to finger print American Air pilots -- one arrested for giving the finger. Now an issue for Powell going to Brazil. Monday, March 1— Diversity in Islam roundtable Visiting speakers from Saudi Arabia Mr. Vaughan Fitzpatrick (Saudi Chambers of Commerce), Ms. Samar Fatany (Radio Jeddah) and Mr. Omar A. Bahlaiwa (Saudi Committee on Development of International Trade.) Fatany grew up in Malaysia, daughter of diplomat, now a radio talk show
host
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