The Nation's Pulse
Rusthoven, Peter J.
The Nation's Pulse by Peter J. Rusthoven Like the vast majority of journalistic observers of the American scene, both The Alternative and this columnist devote but fleeting attention to the...
...In the past few weeks, our shores have been graced by the arrival of Uganda's far-seeing president, the current chairman of the Organization of African Unity, the redoubtable General Idi Amin...
...and it also seems perfectly appropriate to acknowledge, when one has the chance, an achievement so rare as prudence...
...Our citizens are not much given to empathetic reflection on the burdens of power, or sober commentary on the difficulties of responsible leadership in an ambiguous world...
...Five political terrorists, including members of the Basque separatist movement and a Maoist radical outfit entitled the "Patriotic Anti-Fascist Revolutionary Front" (FRAP), were executed for their participation in a calculated campaign of assassination directed at Spanish civil policemen...
...and it also seems perfectly appropriate to acknowledge, when one has the chance, an achievement so rare as prudence...
...The bottom line of all this reaction, of course, is that Franco was indeed a dictator, his government a constant reminder of the less prudent, more vicious fascist regimes that once ruled Germany and Italy and brought the world to war...
...As is well known, Turkey and The Alternative: An American Spectator December 1975 15 Greece are inclined to square off at semi-regular intervals on the question of which should be permitted to dominate Cyprus...
...Fully 15 European countries recalled their ambassadors from Madrid...
...Yet despite all trendy talk of the need for sensitivity to the "Third World," and the predictable cluckings of much of the press (Newsweek, in a fine display of perspective, headlined the story "Moynihan's Outburst"), the Ford Administration has strongly backed its ambassador and his statement—a development almost as gratifying as the original remark...
...military bases in that country...
...The immediate factual background of this controversy is deceptively straightforward...
...One must understand that unlike the diatribes of an Arafat or an Amin, blunt honesty of this sort violates the spirit of the UN...
...His Holiness Pope Paul VI joined the fray, terming the Spanish action "murderous repression...
...Leaders who enjoy the adulation of the masses (whether spontaneous or coerced) appear considerably more prone to large-scale mischief than their counterparts who must deal with a populace fond of vociferous second-guessing...
...Instead, the nations of the world responded with that loud, self-righteous indignation which they seem to reserve for those occasions when such blathering is particularly unjustified on the facts...
...Needless to say, I do not at all mean to argue that these disparate incidents prove that with Ford in the White House, all's right with the world...
...I do think, however, that three recent incidents in the foreign policy field provide fairly encouraging indications that the current Administration is capable of intelligent use of the variousdiplomatic means at its disposal, and that a few paragraphs of praise are in order...
...foreign policy, Congress decided to intervene by imposing an embargo on arms sales to Turkey...
...Big Daddy," as he is called, came to New York, like Yasir Arafat and many another peace-loving world leader, to address the UN General Assembly...
...Nevertheless, it is only fair that one periodically focus on those actions of our leaders which merit commendation...
...Such language is characteristic of the reasoned discourse that echoes in the halls of peaceful international cooperation...
...Washington, it is true, has not been able to work any diplomatic miracles in attempting to patch things up with Ankara, and pre-embargo relations may never be fully restored...
...America's UN Ambassador, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, promptly and accurately labeled Amin a "racist murderer," whose chairmanship of the OAU was "no accident...
...16 The Alternative: An American Spectator December 1975 The Nation's Pulse by Peter J. Rusthoven Like the vast majority of journalistic observers of the American scene, both The Alternative and this columnist devote but fleeting attention to the occasionally praiseworthy achievements of our erstwhile national statesmen...
...Last time, however, spurred on by Greek-Americans and by that strain of post-Vietnam "wisdom" which contends that a more active role for the legislative branch is the cornerstone of sound U.S...
...On its face, then, the Spanish government's execution of murdering political terrorists would seem no worthier of prolonged attention than the bloody California shoot-out between the FBI and the SLA which led to the demise of that venerated revolutionary, Cinque...
...But by and large, the Ford Administration has done a good job in dealing with a delicate problem, despite the heavy-handed meddling of Congress...
...Not surprisingly, in the course of his lecture the Ugandan ruler opined that the United States was an imperialist aggressor, and, consistent with prior bon mots like "Hitler was right," called for the "extinction of Israel as a state...
...Given the overwhelming Democratic majorities on both sides of Capitol Hill, the current almost petulant assertiveness of the legislative branch in the heady arena of foreign affairs, and the general mood of noncooperation with the Chief Executive that sets in as opposition Senators begin jockeying for the Presidential nomination, the Ford Administration's patient success on the issue of arms for Turkey is quite remarkable...
...Needless to say, I do not at all mean to argue that these disparate incidents prove that with Ford in the White House, all's right with the world...
...Such, however, was not the case...
...For once, however, the United States' response was not so characteristic...
...and his Secretary of State, who all too clearly revels when that accusation is leveled at him, has a far from unblemished track record...
...Our citizens are not much given to empathetic reflection on the burdens of power, or sober commentary on the difficulties of responsible leadership in an ambiguous world...
...In part, no doubt, this restraint was due to ongoing negotiations between America and Spain concerning U.S...
...Instead, the nations of the world responded with that loud, self-righteous indignation which they seem to reserve for those occasions when such blathering is particularly unjustified on the facts...
...Bordering as it does on the Soviet Union, Turkey is a valuable missile installation site, as well as an excellent base for intelligence gathering operations...
...The point is simply that the nation does occasionally react intelligently in dealing with the rest of the globe, and that such occasions should not pass unremarked...
...the Dahomeys of the world took their usual immediate, deep offense...
...The American military presence in Turkey is of no small strategic import...
...Last time, however, spurred on by Greek-Americans and by that strain of post-Vietnam "wisdom" which contends that a more active role for the legislative branch is the cornerstone of sound U.S...
...16 The Alternative: An American Spectator December 1975 The Nation's Pulse by Peter J. Rusthoven Like the vast majority of journalistic observers of the American scene, both The Alternative and this columnist devote but fleeting attention to the occasionally praiseworthy achievements of our erstw...
...The latter activity in particular has suffered in the wake of the arms embargo...
...Washington, it is true, has not been able to work any diplomatic miracles in attempting to patch things up with Ankara, and pre-embargo relations may never be fully restored...
...The bottom line of all this reaction, of course, is that Franco was indeed a dictator, his government a constant reminder of the less prudent, more vicious fascist regimes that once ruled Germany and Italy and brought the world to war...
...As is well known, Turkey and The Alternative: An American Spectator December 1975 15 Greece are inclined to square off at semi-regular intervals on the question of which should be permitted to dominate Cyprus...
...But the positions adopted by the Administration in connection with the events involving Spain, Turkey, and the visit of Idi Amin seem thoroughly prudent ones...
...Not surprisingly, in the course of his lecture the Ugandan ruler opined that the United States was an imperialist aggressor, and, consistent with prior bon mots like "Hitler was right," called for the "extinction of Israel as a state...
...Franco, in short, was fair game, and in many ways justifiably so...
...Given the overwhelming Democratic majorities on both sides of Capitol Hill, the current almost petulant assertiveness of the legislative branch in the heady arena of foreign affairs, and the general mood of noncooperation with the Chief Executive that sets in as opposition Senators begin jockeying for the Presidential nomination, the Ford Administration's patient success on the issue of arms for Turkey is quite remarkable...
...The President, however, stoutly denied that this was the prime factor motivating our stance on the issue, and I believe we should take him at his word...
...Another, less dramatic illustration of sensible leadership by the President and his State Department involves our now strained relations with the government of Turkey...
...military bases in that country...
...The resultant contribution to stabilizing the situation in Cyprus can be charitably described as marginal...
...The latter activity in particular has suffered in the wake of the arms embargo...
...Leaders who enjoy the adulation of the masses (whether spontaneous or coerced) appear considerably more prone to large-scale mischief than their counterparts who must deal with a populace fond of vociferous second-guessing...
...Fully 15 European countries recalled their ambassadors from Madrid...
...America's UN Ambassador, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, promptly and accurately labeled Amin a "racist murderer," whose chairmanship of the OAU was "no accident...
...On its face, then, the Spanish government's execution of murdering political terrorists would seem no worthier of prolonged attention than the bloody California shoot-out between the FBI and the SLA which led to the demise of that venerated revolutionary, Cinque...
...Nonetheless, the Ford Administration managed to display considerable common sense throughout this period of nonsense...
...And on balance, this seems altogether proper in a democratic republic...
...And recently, the Administration succeeded in persuading Congress to back off from its earlier position, a move that augurs well for re-strengthening the Turkish link in the NATO defense structure...
...For once, however, the United States' response was not so characteristic...
...Big Daddy," as he is called, came to New York, like Yasir Arafat and many another peace-loving world leader, to address the UN General Assembly...
...Five political terrorists, including members of the Basque separatist movement and a Maoist radical outfit entitled the "Patriotic Anti-Fascist Revolutionary Front" (FRAP), were executed for their participation in a calculated campaign of assassination directed at Spanish civil policemen...
...Despite notable journalistic and diplomatic pressure, the United States steadfastly refused to join the current chorus of anti-Spanish voices...
...The President, however, stoutly denied that this was the prime factor motivating our stance on the issue, and I believe we should take him at his word...
...The Administration simply refused to seize on the execution of convicted murderers as the appropriate incident about which to express whatever discomfiture it felt at Franco's dictatorship...
...Such, however, was not the case...
...The impact on our relations with Turkey was more direct: the Turkish government toyed with the idea of expelling United States military forces, and at present has placed the 25 American installations in the country under Turkish command...
...No one has accused the President of being a genius...
...But by and large, the Ford Administration has done a good job in dealing with a delicate problem, despite the heavy-handed meddling of Congress...
...The Nation's Pulse by Peter J. Rusthoven Like the vast majority of journalistic observers of the American scene, both The Alternative and this columnist devote but fleeting attention to the occasionally praiseworthy achievements of our erstwhile national statesmen...
...The resultant contribution to stabilizing the situation in Cyprus can be charitably described as marginal...
...One must understand that unlike the diatribes of an Arafat or an Amin, blunt honesty of this sort violates the spirit of the UN...
...Indeed, one suspects that the Founding Fathers, however warmly they would welcome Abraham Lincoln as one of their own, would have counted it a healthy sign that his Presidency was accompanied by frenetic shouts of "baboon" and "dictator" as well as worshipful tributes to the "Savior of the Union...
...In the past few weeks, our shores have been graced by the arrival of Uganda's far-seeing president, the current chairman of the Organization of African Unity, the redoubtable General Idi Amin...
...Although the efficiency of our strategic operations has been hindered, we have notbeen forced to abandon them...
...Somehow, the globe has managed to weather these confrontations without significant permanent damage...
...And on balance, this seems altogether proper in a democratic republic...
...Bordering as it does on the Soviet Union, Turkey is a valuable missile installation site, as well as an excellent base for intelligence gathering operations...
...No one has accused the President of being a genius...
...There was no contention that any of the five were innocent...
...Nevertheless, it is only fair that one periodically focus on those actions of our leaders which merit commendation...
...Adopting a critical tone is, of course, squarely in the historical mainstream of political discourse in this country...
...Nonetheless, the Ford Administration managed to display considerable common sense throughout this period of nonsense...
...The final example of recent wisdom in United States foreign policy yields the greatest immediate emotional satisfaction...
...And recently, the Administration succeeded in persuading Congress to back off from its earlier position, a move that augurs well for re-strengthening the Turkish link in the NATO defense structure...
...Adopting a critical tone is, of course, squarely in the historical mainstream of political discourse in this country...
...The predictable calls for Spain's expulsion from the United Nations were issued, and Swedish Prime Minister Olaf Palme even took to the streets of Stockholm, replete with protest sign, to collect money for the Spanish opposition...
...Yet despite all trendy talk of the need for sensitivity to the "Third World," and the predictable cluckings of much of the press (Newsweek, in a fine display of perspective, headlined the story "Moynihan's Outburst"), the Ford Administration has strongly backed its ambassador and his statement—a development almost as gratifying as the original remark...
...In today's world, unfortunately, this sensible position emerges in context as one of high courage and integrity...
...But the positions adopted by the Administration in connection with the events involving Spain, Turkey, and the visit of Idi Amin seem thoroughly prudent ones...
...Somehow, the globe has managed to weather these confrontations without significant permanent damage...
...I do think, however, that three recent incidents in the foreign policy field provide fairly encouraging indications that the current Administration is capable of intelligent use of the variousdiplomatic means at its disposal, and that a few paragraphs of praise are in order...
...Such language is characteristic of the reasoned discourse that echoes in the halls of peaceful international cooperation...
...Leaders from Mexico to Britain, who would never dream of castigating, say, the North Vietnamese for executing thousands of Catholics, were striving to outdo each other in expressing horror at this latest outrage perpetrated by Fascist Franco...
...In today's world, unfortunately, this sensible position emerges in context as one of high courage and integrity...
...Now I am not proposing a mindless rant of the "Why don't we concentrate on the good news" genre...
...The point is simply that the nation does occasionally react intelligently in dealing with the rest of the globe, and that such occasions should not pass unremarked...
...throw the bums out" tends to strike a more responsive chord...
...throw the bums out" tends to strike a more responsive chord...
...There was no contention that any of the five were innocent...
...Now I am not proposing a mindless rant of the "Why don't we concentrate on the good news" genre...
...The impact on our relations with Turkey was more direct: the Turkish government toyed with the idea of expelling United States military forces, and at present has placed the 25 American installations in the country under Turkish command...
...The Administration simply refused to seize on the execution of convicted murderers as the appropriate incident about which to express whatever discomfiture it felt at Franco's dictatorship...
...His Holiness Pope Paul VI joined the fray, terming the Spanish action "murderous repression...
...and his Secretary of State, who all too clearly revels when that accusation is leveled at him, has a far from unblemished track record...
...Although the efficiency of our strategic operations has been hindered, we have notbeen forced to abandon them...
...In part, no doubt, this restraint was due to ongoing negotiations between America and Spain concerning U.S...
...The immediate factual background of this controversy is deceptively straightforward...
...The final example of recent wisdom in United States foreign policy yields the greatest immediate emotional satisfaction...
...Indeed, one suspects that the Founding Fathers, however warmly they would welcome Abraham Lincoln as one of their own, would have counted it a healthy sign that his Presidency was accompanied by frenetic shouts of "baboon" and "dictator" as well as worshipful tributes to the "Savior of the Union...
...The first of these incidents involves the recent pother over the last days of Generalissimo Francisco Franco's rule in Spain...
...Leaders from Mexico to Britain, who would never dream of castigating, say, the North Vietnamese for executing thousands of Catholics, were striving to outdo each other in expressing horror at this latest outrage perpetrated by Fascist Franco...
...the Dahomeys of the world took their usual immediate, deep offense...
...Franco, in short, was fair game, and in many ways justifiably so...
...The American military presence in Turkey is of no small strategic import...
...Another, less dramatic illustration of sensible leadership by the President and his State Department involves our now strained relations with the government of Turkey...
...The predictable calls for Spain's expulsion from the United Nations were issued, and Swedish Prime Minister Olaf Palme even took to the streets of Stockholm, replete with protest sign, to collect money for the Spanish opposition...
...The first of these incidents involves the recent pother over the last days of Generalissimo Francisco Franco's rule in Spain...
...Despite notable journalistic and diplomatic pressure, the United States steadfastly refused to join the current chorus of anti-Spanish voices...
...foreign policy, Congress decided to intervene by imposing an embargo on arms sales to Turkey...
Vol. 9 • December 1975 • No. 3
