Powerfully Humble

Governments, although they claim they will not bargain with terrorists, ultimately do, in one way or another, for the release of their citizens. Most notably, the United States is famous for the lengths to which it will go to secure the release of Americans held in other countries for purported crimes. Not Americans justly held to account for crimes committed in other countries, but those of their citizens whose actions have been such that they have been vulnerable to apprehension in countries where human rights are regularly abused.

The United States famously used the clandestine services of Oliver North under the Reagan administration to set up an Israeli-operated supply line through secret negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeni, supplying American-produced missiles in exchange for a hoped-for release of hostage-held Americans held in Lebanon by Hezbollah. The scandal and subsequent public airing of the 'arms for hostages' event tarred the reputation of the U.S.

And now, about twenty-five years later, there is the spectacle of a former U.S. president embarking on a humanitarian mission to secure the release from North Korea of two American reporters, arrested on the North Korea-China border, accused of illegal entry and 'grave crimes' and sentenced to 12-year jail terms of hard labour. This is the same North Korea that so recently spurned all entreaties by the UN, US, China, Russia and EU, to halt its nuclear program.

Intransigently resolved to master nuclear weapons and the missiles to carry them, North Korea has suffered dire sanctions, making the lives of its impoverished people yet more impossible. The country's human rights abuses, the insecurity of its future thanks to the lunacy of its Dear Dictator Kim Jong-Il, demands due respect from the international community, and above all, from the world's remaining super power. Because, logically, North Korea considers itself a super power.

And the United States, as the world's sole and undisputed super power humbly swallowed its pride and sent Bill Clinton to meet with Kim Jong-Il, for a photo opportunity that gained Euna Lee and Laura Ling, both journalists who had been sentenced as criminals, their freedom. The theatre of the absurd saw the North Korea choreographed event of the great United States offering sympathetic appeasement resulting in face-saving.

That will most certainly encourage North Korea to change its trajectory, give up its nuclear ambitions, cease bullying its neighbours and starving its people. So, mission accomplished. Well done, President Clinton. What's next? You might consider a visit to Iran, for a personal meeting with newly re-invested President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and a courtesy meet-and-greet with Ayatollah Khameni, as well.

Those intrepid American adventurers have done it again. Blundered obliviously into an area where they shouldn't actually be. Three Americans, 27 year old Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal, and 30 year old Sara Shourd. Backpackers, on the adventure of their lives. In the rugged mountains between Iraq and Iran, where else? Where, as it happens they have been arrested for "illegal entry".

Go along then, do your thing, President Clinton, charm the flowing robes and turbans off the ayatollahs, secure good will all around, and they'll fall all over themselves to promise to turn off the nuclear spigot and make friends all around with all their neighbours, and bring in a true democracy, and sweetness and light will prevail. Sigh.