Diplomatic debts US has to pay
Jocelyn Noveck (AP) (Paris, October 9)
IT'S A basic rule of foreign policy: Nations will act in their own interest. So, as US President George W Bush tries to marshal global support for his campaign against terror, he finds there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Many countries want something in return from Washington, somewhere along the road. For some, it's economic help. For others, diplomatic favours. For still others, the price for cooperation may be Washington's overlooking behaviour it has earlier criticised --such as human rights violations.
Will the price ultimately be too high? That depends on the results. "At some point, the bill will be presented," says Chris Brown, specialist in international relations at the London School of Economics. "But if you're a satisfied customer, you don't mind paying.'
In some cases, bills have been paid in advance. Pakistan, a key ally of the United States since the September 11 attacks, has already seen the lifting of US economic sanctions imposed in 1998 over its nuclear tests. It has also received economic aid.
Russia, too, has reaped an immediate dividend. Moscow is providing important intelligence, has allowed use of its airspace for US deliveries of humanitarian aid, and has lobbied Central Asian nations for their support. In return, Washington, which has been critical of the Russian army's actions in Chechnya, has lightened its tone.
Russia may also reap some diplomatic benefit, such as better relations with NATO. "There is an iron rule in international relations, which must not be violated,'' said Sergei Rogov, a respected Russian political analyst. "Even if you do something in your own interest, you must charge a price from your ally.''
In the Middle East, moderate Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan have pledged their help. In return, the Bush administration has exerted pressure on Israel to get back to negotiations with the Palestinians. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon doesn't like it. Last week he likened the US policy to the West trying to appease Hitler before World War II. Washington called the remarks "unacceptable''.
Less friendly nations such as Syria, Iran and Sudan are a question mark: Their payoff will depend on how much they contribute. One dividend would be better relations with the United States. "It's an opportunity for any country, really, to get off the Bad List,'' says Gideon Rose of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations.
Syria on Monday easily won a seat on the UN Security Council, despite being on the US list of countries that sponsor terrorism. The United States, which managed to block Sudan a year ago for the same reason, didn't oppose Syria's election. Although US diplomats did not act to block Syria even before September 11, the post-attacks climate made it even more important for Washington that Syria become part of the international community.
Sudan, which harboured Bin Laden for several years until 1996, has rounded up as many as 30 foreign extremists since September 11, according to a US official in Washington. Last month the Security Council, with a green light from the United States, lifted five-year-old sanctions against the African country. In some cases, human rights concerns will have to take a back seat to political expediency -- at least for now.
An example is Uzbekistan, which borders Afghanistan and has offered an air base to US forces. Its people have been jailed for simple physical expressions of Islamic faith, such as wearing a beard or a traditional AP
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The give-and-take
* Pakistan: Economic sanctions imposed in 1998 lifted; economic aid provided
* Russia: US tones down its criticism of Chechnya campaign, better relations with NATO likely.
* Middle East: Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan have pledged their help, in return the Bush administration has exerted pressure on Israel to get back to negotiations with the Palestinians.
* Syria: Easily won a seat on the UN Security Council, despite being on the US list of countries that sponsor terrorism
* Uzbekistan: Human rights concerns take a back seat to political expediency following offer of air base
* Sudan: Five-year sanctions lifted following cooperation in post-WTC situation
* European nations: Likely to seek an end to US's go-it-alone foreign policy on issues ranging from global warming to missile defence.
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