Former US diplomats scold colleagues who attacked Bush policies

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (AFP)

A group of former US diplomats scolded some colleagues for violating the US foreign service's traditional political neutrality by condemning President George W. Bush's foreign policy. ..

In response, Thomas Boyatt, a former US ambassador to Colombia, said at a news conference on Monday: "Their unprecedented political statement elicited considerable comment in both the American and foreign press.

"The impression that is created, that there is consensus among experienced diplomats and military officers about this administration's policies, is simply wrong," Boyatt said.

Boyatt is a member of Diplomats for a Nonpartisan Foreign Service, which has many Republican members, including former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger, George Shultz and Lawrence Eagleburger, and former defense secretary Frank Carlucci. ..

Another group of foreign service officials, calling itself Diplomatic and Military Professionals for National Security, took part in the news conference denouncing the group of 27 Bush critics. ..

I could'nt get a number. 2 plus a group?

[coalition_unwilling]

1. Hogwash

There is no "time-honored" tradition in the U.S. Foreign Service of saluting der Fuhrer when he reverses 50 years of U.S. foreign policy by endorsing a policy of "pre-emptive war" (which, in reality, is the same 'preventive war' that the Nuremburg War Crime trials decisively repudiated).

Fact is, several courageous career U.S. Foreign Service professionals resigned before the invasion of Iraq precisely because they understood what a radical break with the past Der Fuhrer's 2002 National Security Strategy whitepaper represented.

All this story is telling us is that the ruling elite is fracturing, as the true costs of Der Fuhrer's policies become obvious for all to see.

[mikehiggins]

2. Oh, but they're only saying nobody should say anything

not that THEY want to go on record as supporting Bush*.

Like all the crap this administration and its supporters spew out they parse things carefully to make an impression but always leave themselves room to wiggle out of the trap once the jaws start to close.

I hope someone is making a list.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. One should not expect a consensus

Under normal circumstances, Ambassador Boyatt would be correct: professional diplomats should remain neutral in partisan races, including and especially presidential campaigns.

Mr. Bush's legacy will having nothing normal about it. Should, as we hope, Senator Kerry be elevated to the White House, diplomats will have a great deal of work to do in restoring lost American creditbility and good will.

Does anybody really believe that Bush can invade a soveriegn state for reasons that were simply made up and paper things over by in effect saying to the world, "Just get over it"?

The present circumstances are extraordinary. Professional diplomats are right to urge a change in administrations.

[malachi]

4. Any organization that includes henry fuckin' kissinger

among its' members has no credibility and can go straight to hell. Non-partisan my ass, in a perfect world kissinger would be tending his flower garden in some federal pen. It will indeed be a better world when his soul is on the way to hell.

[struggle4progress]

5. Group's former name: "War Criminals for Bush"