Posted by
Wes Fowler on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 1:54:41 PM
Michelle Malkin recently
compared Condoleezza Rice to Nancy Pelosi for meeting with officials in Syria. I think there is a very big difference between the two visits.
Nancy's visit was mainly to appease the terrorists and embarass the president. it was also to initiate her own form of "diplomacy". (She sent that fake message from Olmert to the Syrians, remember?) She was going as a newly minted House Speaker, on behalf of herself, not on behalf of the U.S.
Now, let's look at Dr. Rice's visit. There were specific issues discussed at this meeting. This wasn't a cotillion for the debut of a new House Speaker. At this meeting, Dr. Rice said that Syria needs to
close its borders to terrorists. Face to face meetings with foreign officials, even those we consider our enemies are important. They show foreign officials thhat we take them seriously. It is also the most directy way to convey our message. This is one of Condi's strengths. Many countries will not listen to Bush, but they will listen to her.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am all for the "blow them all up and ask questions later" form of diplomacy for those countries who attack the U.S. or pose an imminent nuclear threat. However, face-to-face meetings with countries are needed to prevent situations from rising to that level. This is true even for countries we consider our enemies.
For a good explanation of her diplomacy philosophy , read
this.