Remarks: General Clark Speaks at The United States Holocaust Museum

[Totally Committed]

Occasion of the Salute to the Liberators Dinner
The United States Holocaust Museum
May 4, 2005

Excerpt:

By the end of the war, fewer than 300,000 people came out of the camps alive. We have just completed the celebration of the biblical Exodus during Passover, commemorating the end of years of enslavement of the Jewish people. In the Haggadah, the liturgy of the Seder, most commentators agree that the central idea of the commemoration of the Exodus is the requirement that in each succeeding generation every Jew must internalize the Exodus, the experience of freedom-from-bondage, as though every Jew experienced it at the time. So too all must internalize both the bondage and the subsequent freedom of the remnant that survived. Not that any of us can really understand the Holocaust - only the survivors have that understanding. But we can internalize survival - and we must. . .

Today we are still well short of our ideal, however. In the Darfur region of the Sudan, people are being slaughtered on the basis of their race. To date, our best public estimates read that more than 200,000 men, women and children have been killed, often with blunt force trauma or machetes. Can it be said by our children's children that we are keeping the promise we made in 1945? Will our legacy reflect the commitment the people in this room have to the end of genocide? That will be up to each of us.

We owe it to the people in this room, and all the survivors and liberators who sacrificed so much, to ask ourselves if it is OK to stand by while thousands are exterminated right before our eyes. We must ask ourselves why they don't deserve liberators of their own to someday salute. And when freedom of those now in bondage and suffering does come, we must internalize that freedom as though it was our own.

We are a mighty nation. We are strong as a country because we are strong as a people. You here tonight are among our strongest. To the soldiers, the survivors and the families of both, it is my honor to offer the heartfelt thanks of a grateful nation for your courage, your will to fight and the contribution you all have made to the success and the strength of the American people and the United States. Thank you all and God bless.

Text of entire speech:

http://www.securingamerica.com/?q=node/149#comment-620

TC

[Nothing Without Hope]

1. This is wonderful - the silence of the US gov't on the Darfur genocide

has been an unspeakable hypocrisy - and they're the pious proponents of the "culture of life," right? But the people being killed in Darfur have no oil and their skin is too dark to excite the interest of the neocons and their RW fundie enablers.

Recommended. I'm proud of what Clark said. May it be heard and acted on.

ed:typo

[Colorado Blue]

3. There is oil in Sudan.

And I totally agree, our silence on the genocide there is appalling.

We also did zip in Rwanda. Bill Clinton was the president then, so ignoring African (or other) genocides is hardly a Republican or a Neocon phenomenon.

I'm not sure what we could have done but close to 1,000,000 people died in something like 3 months - in a beautiful, civilized, very normal-seeming country - it wasn't out in the forest somewhere - and people could SEE what was going on the whole damn time.

Did the experience of Somalia sour the US on even trying to help in Africa?

Meanwhile, it took YEARS to get anybody to notice what was going on in Yugoslavia - which is in EUROPE. Right under the noses of the people who brought you two horrendous world wars. FINALLY, the US acted. But the European powers, NATO, the UN, EVERYBODY should have been on this long before action was finally taken.

People wonder how the Holocaust could have happened. Well, guess what. People see things like this going down and they do zip. Then everybody goes tut tut and feels bad. For awhile.

[Nothing Without Hope]

6. I'm wondering if the silence on the genocide is deliberate, to keep the

favor of leaders with access to the oil? I hope that's not true, but I wouldn't put anything past this crew.

But you're absolutely right. It is also just not caring enough to pay the prices for taking action, a moral lack that is not unique to the Bush administration. The military is already stretched thin and the administration does NOT want to do anything that will strengthen the UN's influence.

[Colorado Blue]

9. The pursuit of oil has led ALL of the Great Powers astray

since the 19th century. This is nothing new and unfortunately we are ALL hooked into it, our whole economy is based on oil. The auto industry too - should have been developing alternative fuels 50 years ago but they are so powerful - the car people and the oil people - they have a death grip on global development and little people are just pawns in this scheme, also the environment. I despair.

There is a lot going on in Central Asia, I stumbled upon by accident actually, but you can find it on the 'net, having to do with the Saudis (and probably their investors) possibly stirring up trouble so the Turkmen and their investors can't build pipelines. There's a lot of Central Asian oil, just no way to get it out. This is probably one reason we will be in Afghanistan for awhile.

Apart from that - we are stretched very thin. But that doesn't explain the past, or European silence on Yugoslavia.

Clark's speech is beautiful though! Clark for President! Or maybe Boxer. A team!

As for the UN, I wish they could help - in Rwanda, they were there but didn't - or couldn't - do much. I think they TRIED to help, maybe didn't have the juice? So many awful things have happened. Africa in general is a CATASTROPHE - it is heartbreaking - the illnesses, the fear, the civil wars - people too, are afraid even of our vaccines. There are so many urban myths, people think polio vaccines contain AIDS virus, or will make them impotent. Trying to help is frustrating.

If I were the President, I would establish a Department of Peace, to deal with 1) understanding people better 2) fostering the exchange of ideas, culture, history, art and philosophy and teaching languages 3) KEEPING PEOPLE ALIVE. We should have a whole army, global, WHATEVER, especially trained in intervention, and to cool conflict.

I'd like to say modern weapons are to blame but a lot of this slaughter - Sierra Leone also, and Rwanda - is done with MACHETES.

Modern weapons, bombs, etc. don't help though.

[sharonking21]

11. I remember that in his first book

Clark mentioned that the UN was present in Rwanda but that the US was at fault for not backing a plan that would permit them the authority and resources to stop the killing.

[CarolNYC]

50. I believe

that Gen Clark is a big proponent of intervening in ways to stop conflict before it starts, to alleviate the conditions that bring about conflict...

I like this idea from his Winning Modern Wars book:

"The United States needs a cabinet-level or subcabinet-level agency that is charged with developing plans, programs, and personnel structures to assist in the areas of political and economic development abroad. Call it the Department of International Development. Focusing our humanitarian and developmental efforts through a single, responsible department will help us bring the same kind of sustained attention to alleviating deprivation, misery, ethnic conflict and poverty that we have brought to the problem of warfare."

[Clark2008]

12. Well, of course it is.

Look at Saudi Arabia.
Saudi is nearly always in the Top 20 lists of worst human rights offenders and nearly all the American presidents in recent memory have ignored it.
Granted, Clinton didn't party with them on the White House balcony after the first attempt to down the WTC towers in 1993 as blivet did with Prince Bandar after 9/11, but this country has been most complicit in its silence.

[Totally Committed]

7. Wes has said he wanted to go into Rwanda,

but that Pres. Clinton was afraid to bring it to the Republican House and Senate, because there was such opposition to what had happened there after that copter crash a few years earlier.

Wes has said he asked again and again for something to be done there, but no one was willing to consider it.

TC

[tishaLA]

8. TC, can you remind me what he suggested about the Sudan?

He said it on Maher and I can't recall right now. I think he said we need boots on the ground--presumably UN and American boots--because, unlike Kosovo, bombing wouldn't work in this situation as it needs more work with infrastructure and basic governmentality. Can you remember anything else about that?

[sharonking21]

13. He wrote an Op-Ed on it

I think with someone else together as authors. I can't find it right now. Does anyone else remember it?

[sharonking21]

18. Frenchie Cat posted it below

just as I finally found it.

[Totally Committed]

19. Sorry, I had to go have dinner...

but, I know I can always count on Frenchie Cat to have all those great links available when needed!

What a wonder you are, Frenchie!

TC

[ArkDem]

14. 'boots on the ground' is what he was wanting for Kosovo.

[LandOLincoln]

20. Exactly, and that was also the root of his problems

with Shelton and Cohen.

Of course, it was also the threat of ground troops that brought about Milosevic's capitulation, finally.

[Colorado Blue]

10. I think that crash in Somalia, that whole mess with trying to

relieve the famine and winding up with a shooting war - it has had a terrible effect on our relations with Africa as a whole. And that is a tragedy.

Clark has guts, he was a military person. I loved Bill Clinton but when I saw the movie about Rwanda on HBO it sort of changed my opinion a bit, due to the inaction during the troubles.

The thing is, nobody wanted to risk $ and lives at that point?

[Pilgrim4Progress]

23. Dovetailing - Rwanda movie on PBS tonight

Sometimes in April, another powerful movie about Rwanda, to be shown on PBS tonight.

[Totally Committed]

25. I've already seen it on HBO...

If you watch it, it will break your heart. I still cry when I think of it.

TC

[Hippo_Tron]

31. Alright I'm not a Clinton basher, but that's horseshit

If Clinton knew what was going on, and knew that we could have done something about it, and felt that it was the right thing to do, I believe that as Commander in Chief, he had an obligation to do so.

[Jai4WKC08]

47. In Clinton's book...

He says he wanted to do something, and regrets deeply now that he did not, but that at the time he didn't think there was much he could do. I think his loss of military credibility over the Somalia disaster was a factor. And I also think that the slaughter in Rwanda just happened too fast by diplomatic standards.

As for Clark's role in the issue... remember that he was only a three-star on the Joint Staff at the time. No direct access to the White House. It was mostly his Pentagon superiors who didn't want to get involved, altho I think there were some key NSC players who weren't crazy about the idea either.

That said, I don't recall that Clark ever said that he personally lobbied Clinton or anyone else by name. He has been quite clear that he favored intervention; but in his book, Clark sort of takes on the collective guilt for inaction, noting that it would become a factor in his strong belief in the need to act in Kosovo, before a full-blown genocide could really get started.

Mostly it's Samantha Power, in her Pulitzer Prize winning book, "A Problem From Hell" who credits Clark for being a nearly lone voice in Washington to do something to stop the murders.

[CarolNYC]

49. genocide

Hey, Colorado, if you haven't yet, you should read Samantha Power's book A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide. Interesting and sad...but also inspiring in a way. There's heroes and "villains" on both sides of the political spectrum along the way...but there's always someone willing to stand up and say something, even if it's only one...and that gives me hope. Of course, in Gen Clark's case, with Kosovo, he was also able to make something happen. Most times, those standing up haven't been as successful. :(

[pkspiegel]

2. What a terrific speech!

Even folks who are not ardent Clark followers will say this speech is profound, touching, and wise. Thanks for posting this.

[Totally Committed]

4. Thank you for that...

I think so, too.

TC

[globalvillage]

27. Agreed.

The General has done us all proud with this speech.
:patriot:

[prvet]

5. Thanks TC

The General never fails to inspire

[CarolNYC]

15. Thanks for posting (n/t)

[FrenchieCat]

16. As Clark did about Rwanda and Kosovo, he has been advocating

that the US needs to intervene in Darfur. Again, his cries land on deaf ears. I will say that Kosovo was acted upon BEFORE a Genocide could actually take place, and for that, Clark has been criticized by those who needed 300,000 dead bodies before they would consider it a genocide. Figures!

http://www.eamedia.org/2005/nr05/01.php
US FORCES SHOULD INTERVENE IN DARFUR, SUDAN – GEN. WESLEY CLARK
Almaty, Kazakhstan, April 23 – The United States should intervene militarily to stop the killing in the Darfur province of Sudan, General Wesley Clark told a media conference in Kazakhstan.

“US forces with a mandate and adequate cover should go in and stop the ethnic cleansing and genocide in Darfur,” he said in answer to a question. “It has gone on long enough. Enough is enough. It must stop.”

http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/USATODAY/2004/07/06/501055?extID=10026
Out of time in Darfur
By Wesley Clark and John Prendergast | Jul 06 '04

For the past year, the international community has shamefully acquiesced to the crimes against humanity occurring daily in the Sudanese province of Darfur.

"Janjaweed" militias, Arabs backed by the Sudanese government, are continuing to conduct mop-up operations against non-Arab villagers in a massive ethnic-cleansing campaign in the region. The current conflict flared early last year when two rebel groups in Darfur attacked government forces. The swelling crisis could leave hundreds of thousands dead in the coming months.

Also, Clark is a board member of this group here:
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=3060&l=1
as a Vice Chair -- of which George Soros is a chairman...
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=1139&l=1

And here's some information on the Rwanda-Time line, and some comments about Wes Clark's involvement in attempting to get something done about it.
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/4018.html

[Colorado Blue]

17. Thank you! nt

[Adelante]

21. Out of time in Darfur

Do you have the whole article? I've been looking for it for RR. Thanks.

[sharonking21]

32. Here it is

in whole:

http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=2848&l=1

"Out of time in Darfur"
Wesley Clark and John Prendergast in USA Today

06 July 2004
USA Today

[Adelante]

35. Thanks, Sharon

:hi:

[CarolNYC]

51. I remember being glad to hear him advocate

for intervention in Liberia when they were begging for US assistance to help stop the slaughter, piling up bodies in front of the US Embassy in Monrovia. I had wondered what he thought of us intervening there and, I think it was on a radio interview, I was pleased to hear him say we should help out there when asked about it. I agreed.

[Totally Committed]

22. Shameless kick for a great speech! (n/t)

TC

[Sparkly]

24. Thanks for posting this, TC.

The irony of BushCo's crowing about "liberating" Iraq, while people are being killed in Darfur, is beyond tragic.

Looks like a wonderfully powerful speech for a meaningful and poignant occasion.

[Mass]

26. Great speech

Thanks for posting that.

[Donna Zen]

28. It is important to keep his voice out there!

And what a voice we have...

I'm exhausted but must get over to his blog and post to him.

[jen4clark]

29. thanks TC

It's so weird how something like this is going on in our world right now and no one in a position of power is demanding that something be done. I really don't understand how the "culture of life" or pro-life, whatever the fuck they are gang of thugs can profess to be what they are and ignore this horror. :(

General Clark is a light in the darkness of life for me right now.

[haypops]

30. Great job

Impressive speech. Clark seems to have the religious "talk" that everyone says is so important, down to a science.

[Adelante]

36. That's 'cause he believes it nt

[Clark2008]

33. This and other fine photos from the CAP event

can be seen at:

http://community.webshots.com/album/338645685FNgZeQ

[Sparkly]

34. Wow.

No doubt it meant a great deal to him to be there, on a personal level. Actually on several personal levels.

[CarolNYC]

52. hey, thanks for posting this link! n/t

[Crunchy Frog]

37. Thanks for posting this TC.

I'll have to read it later because I'm supposed to be studying for a final.:scared:

[autorank]

38. Clark is "walking tall"

NEW LEADERS FOR A NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY

[Totally Committed]

43. autorank, have I ever told you...

how much I like your posts? So "to-the-point" and right on target! You have a real knack that always makes me smile. (The pic of Harvey Keitel at the bottom is just perfect.)

TC

[autorank]

53. Totally Committed, thank you so much!

I've been a bit unruly lately elsewhere (and paying the price) so it's especially nice to get this message.
:hi:

[lala_rawraw]

39. Yep,

I read that earlier... amazing:)

[Clark2008]

41. I hear you and I share the correct spelling for

a first name.

No "u".

;)

P.S. Did you get your interview? E.G. asked me the best way to hook you guys up.

[lala_rawraw]

44. me confused...

?

[Donna Zen]

40. May 4th

May 4th has now come and gone. It was not a day of holocaust, but it was a day of violence, hatred and blood in the streets. I survived as did Mr. Z. Fighting for freedom as if it was our own. This speech is breaking my heart.

[FrenchieCat]

42. If more heard it, it would break that many more hearts....

why do we usually wait until too late to do the right thing. Guess the only answer would be by God(s)....."what fools these mortals be!"

[Larry in KC]

45. Thank you very much

for providing that link, TC.

I know it's walking quite a dangerous line to say this here... I have no desire to be attacked. This is for both Clarkies and for the many who may not be Clarkies but who have open minds (others may ignore)...

Many politicians I support or could support sometimes win my agreement, maybe my angry agreement, they may sometimes grab my interest with what they say or do, they may sometimes motivate me to learn more about an issue, but...

As he did in this speech, again and again and again, it's Wes Clark who makes my eyes mist over, and makes a lump form in my throat. I think the main reasons are that he makes so stark the difference between what IS right now and what MIGHT be, and also the better flip side of it, that he gives me hope that if we choose wisely in the coming months and years, much of that "might be" is almost in our grasp.

Duty, honor, country.

[Totally Committed]

46. Thank you for saying that, Larry...

I agree with you... Wes is so much more than the average "politician". I could never support anyone like I support Wes, because it goes beyond the political. I share values, thoughts, feelings, and opinions with him. When he speaks of his positions on issues, I find that he is speaking for me as well.

There will always be those who do not agree with Wes. Every great man has his detractors, but no one will ever be able to say he wasn't a good, decent man of the highest honor and integrity. And, isn't this, after all, what we need at this moment in time?

Thanks again for your post from the heart!

TC

[Adelante]

48. Stop making me cry

:cry: