Stew's News: Mar 5, 2009

Thursday, March 05, 2009

(Not so) Smart Diplomacy

I have held off doing this for a while, but these serial diplomatic missteps by the Obama Administration can no longer be ignored.

The United States and Great Britain have enjoyed a "Special Relationship" since Winston Churchill first used the phrase in a speech given in 1946. That is 63 years.

The Obama Administration has begun to unwind that history, first by returning a bust of Churchill that had been on loan since the September 11 attacks.

Katie Connolly of Newsweek writes.

But the British press, as is its wont, smells a snub. The Telegraph speculated that British diplomats' pulse rates would soar, while The Times of London wondered if a shadow had been cast over the special U.S.–U.K. relationship.

Following the latest visit by the UK Prime Minister, the Telegraph of London is reporting.

But on this side of the Atlantic the whole business looked pretty demeaning. The morning papers and TV last night featured plenty of comment focused on the White House's very odd and, frankly, exceptionally rude treatment of a British PM. Squeezing in a meeting, denying him a full press conference with flags etc. The British press corps, left outside for an hour in the cold, can take it and their privations are of limited concern to the public.
But Obama's merely warmish words (one of our closest allies, said with little sincerity or passion) left a bitter taste with this Atlanticist. Especially after his team had made Number 10 beg for a mini press conference and then not even offered the PM lunch.

Did not even offer him lunch?

This occurs after a secret letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin purported to place Poland and The Czech Republic on the bargaining table to secure help from Russia in dealing with Iran.

President Obama, the citizens of those countries were reduced to slavery for nearly 50 years and you want to offer them up to their former slave masters in exchange for help in dealing with a rogue regime? This is your vaunted "Smart" Diplomacy?

Comforting those that wish us harm while shunning those that have been stalwart allies reminds me of another messianic President - you do not want to be another Jimmy Carter.