04 April 2003
Former Diplomat Explains Why Africans Should Back War in Iraq
(Cohen says African democratization is "natural" fit for Iraqis) (470) By Jim Fisher-Thompson Washington File Staff Writer Washington -- Africans who are actively building democracy at home should find it only "natural" to support Coalition forces in Iraq fighting to bring democracy to a land that has been repressed for 34 years by one of the world's most vicious dictators, says retired diplomat and former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Herman Cohen. Cohen, former U.S. Ambassador to Senegal, made his remarks during a break in a recent discussion on a possible new world order sponsored by the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). When the Washington File asked Cohen, 'Why should Africans support the U.S. Government in the War in Iraq?' He answered: "Because it's a natural. Africa is moving toward democracy. The continent used to have one-party states and dictatorial regimes. Now, voluntarily, for the most part, it is moving toward democracy as demanded by the people of Africa. So, when the United States tries to promote democracy around world, Africans are on the same wavelength." Because of their past, Cohen said, Africans know that "in some cases authoritarian states, like Iraq, that continue to be threats to peace and security, have to be dealt with by more than diplomatic means. They have to be dealt with by force." War, of course, should always be the choice of last resort, said Cohen. "And I think the United States has always been very reluctant about using force in the world. I mean what other country has been so reserved and cautious in its use [of force] as the United States. When the British were the greatest power in the world, they conquered all over Asia and Africa. The French when they were strong built an empire and spread their civilization. The United States has never gone that far. "So, as a democratic power, the United States has demonstrated restraint," Cohen averred. "Therefore, when the United States determines certain harsh regimes should be changed, this should not be rejected but should be considered in the entire context of world democratization," he asserted. "When you think about it, there is no African government today that can look at Saddam Hussein and say, 'This is someone we can trust, someone who can be a friend,'" Cohen observed. "This is different from how it was during the Cold War when there was a non-aligned movement and Saddam Hussein was part of it and all of the smaller powers were trying to stay out of the fight between the United States and Soviet Union. Now, everything has changed. Democracy is moving forward. Africa has joined the trend. Therefore, Africa should support our efforts to end this [Iraqi] dictatorship." (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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