You get what you negotiate
10.14.2004The Qatari ambassador (Omar Bader Al-Dafa) to the US spoke this evening on campus. And it was quite an interesting event. The soft-spoken Western alumnus spoke mainly about the close, friendly relationship between Qatar & the US, about how they're serving as host to the US military regional headquarters (CENTCOM), about how much he enjoyed his education in the US, etc. Of course, he's a diplomat, so he has to sound, well, diplomatic.
Interesting highlights were his praise of the US-sponsored "Roadmap for Peace" between Israel & the Palestinians — and his condemnation for both Sharon and Arafat. He also condemned the lack of democracy in the Arab world & the use of the Palestian question by many states as an excuse to delay reforms.
Al-Dafa spoke enthusiastically about his country's democratization reforms, their opening of a new university focusing on American studies, and the many students who study in American universities. He even praised US media as being "better" than Arab media — though he did have nice things to say about Al Jazeera, which is based in Qatar & will soon launch it's English-language satellite.
What's remarkable, of course, is that many Qataris study in the United States. Many later end up in high government positions. How much goodwill could be fostered between the regions if more such academic exchanges existed? Al-Dafa's praise of America's diversity, it's democratic society, and general esprit was interesting to hear. How much of that is a result of spending years as a college kid in Kalamazoo?
The Q & A period was interesting. There was, of course, the obligatory & lengthy "I believe blah, blah, blah. Don't you?" question. And questions that forced the ambassador to carefully pick his words. Such as ducking the "who would you rather win the election?" question.
My favorite part of the evening, however, were these little quotes he threw out w/in the answer to his last questions. My favorite's the first one:
"You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate."
"It's better to have a wise enemy, than a foolish friend."
Such wonderfully succinct explanations of diplomacy & realpolik.
Posted by Miguel at 07:46 PM
Comments
Those quotes are great.
Posted by: tom at October 14, 2004 09:05 PM