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 Will Obama's Change go beyond the borders of the United States? This has been the question asked repeatedly among those who look at the USA as a global police force; and going by Obama's words soon after he become the 44th president of the United states, rouge regimes seem to have been put on alert.
"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals." Obama remarked in his 18 minute speech delivered with candour and determination. The remark, to many political observers was a veiled attack on the foreign policy of his predecessor, which allowed the USA to deal with any regime despite their human rights record as long as they served the American interest. "Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake." And then came the warning; "And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more." True to character when Obama visited Kenya a few years back he candidly criticized the regime's human rights record.
Obama's speech seemed to encourage human rights activists and those struggling under autocratic regimes world over when he opined that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. Obama aware that undemocratic and failed states have been the breeding ground for terrorism when on to add that, "our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."
"We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations." Obama said to a convinced node from many from foreigners in the audience.
Underscoring the fact that America is linked to all nations of the world because of its patchwork heritage drawn from every end of this Earth and the experience of a bitter swill of civil war and segregation, the us will help to ensure that hatreds shall pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
Towards the end of his remarks Obama send a salvo to the dictators cling on to power in the Developing nations. "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
He then made a reassuring pledge to the people of poor nations whom he promised cooperation to make their "farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect.
Than was the spoken world one awaits to see the deed. (Sign in at WWW.crestedjournal.com. and read the complete preview of Obama's foreign policy towards Africa.)
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