Bush just can't get the hang of diplomacy (Cossa / Pacific Forum CSIS)

[struggle4progress]

By RALPH COSSA

<snip> The biggest problem with Bolton is that he does just that, he speaks his mind. As an under secretary of state these past four years, Bolton was supposed to be speaking the mind of then-Secretary of State Colin Powell and his department's -- not his own. Yet the tales of him openly disagreeing with, and on more than one occasion attempting to undermine, State Department policy are legend. This is the real reason that his nomination should be opposed, not his egregious bedside manner. <snip>

This having been said, however, I feel I owe Bolton an apology. Several years ago, I described him as "America's most undiplomatic diplomat." I was wrong! That title must go to the diplomat-in-chief, Bush. He earned it, once again, during the same April 28 press conference in which he defended the Bolton nomination.

During this internationally televised event, Bush expressed his commitment to a diplomatic solution to the North Korea nuclear crisis, citing in particular the need for consensus among the other five participants in order to bring Pyongyang to the table. But he could not resist throwing in a gratuitous personal attack against North Korea's leader, calling him "a dangerous person . . . who starves his people" and "a tyrant." <snip>

The repeated personal attacks lead both the man on the street (especially in Korea) and the seasoned security analyst alike to the same conclusion: Washington's aim is to drive North Korea away from the negotiating table. This makes gaining an international consensus (and building the public support needed in democracies such as South Korea to sustain a bilateral relationship) increasingly difficult to achieve. How this serves America's immediate, much less long-term, national security interest is perplexing. <snip>

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/geted.pl5?eo20050508rc.htm

[ixion]

1. As with all other BushCo policies

the description of the policy and it's true execution are exactly opposite.

Making Jesusland, er 'Murika, er the US more secure really means making us less secure.

The 'Health Forest' initiative really means killing forests.

The 'Clean Air' act really allows more pollution.

The NCLB left many children behind.


The list goes on and on and on. It should come as no suprise. This is the ONE area where these thugs are very consistent.

[theravenseldon]

2. heh

Bush? Diplomacy?
never the twain shall meet