Today's Article
U.S. citizens now are
'viewed as withdrawn
and unconcerned with
any views other than
our own,' says
Senator Richard
Lugar (R-IN).
'viewed as withdrawn
and unconcerned with
any views other than
our own,' says
Senator Richard
Lugar (R-IN).
The American Spark
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U.S. Must Repair Damaged Image Around The World, Say Senators
By Cliff Montgomery - May 2nd, 2009
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 13th released a study discussing how the U.S. may
repair its badly damaged diplomatic relations with the rest of the world.
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), the ranking Republican member of the panel, produced a thoughtful introduction
for the study. The American Spark reproduces that introduction below:
"Recent polling suggests that support for the United States throughout the world is on a slight increase but
remains well below the fifty percent mark in many countries, even among those nations normally considered
strong allies. This less-than positive attitude towards our nation has impacts ranging from national security
threats, to lost trade opportunities, to a significant drop in tourism, to parents overseas refusing to allow their
children to be educated in U.S. universities.
"The sources of this problem are many. Some of these include honest disagreements with our policies and our
actions. But many are based on misrepresentations of our goals, values and motives targeted at those
prepared to believe the worst about us. Yet, in spite of recent actions to counter these misperceptions, our
efforts to present our point of view have not been getting through. It is time to re-think how we conduct our
Public Diplomacy.
"With this in mind, I sent Paul Foldi of my Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff to travel to the Middle
East and Latin America in December 2008 to discuss U.S. Public Diplomacy efforts with our Embassy and
local officials. His report focuses on the need for greater direct U.S. engagement with average citizens
overseas who now have virtually no contact with Americans.
"In order to overcome years of mistrust, this re-engagement should be on the same scope and scale as
currently conducted by the British, French and German governments, all of which currently offer language
instruction and information about their countries in their own government-run facilities throughout the world.
"Iran is also dramatically increasing its outreach efforts through its network of Cultural Centers in Africa, Asia
and the Middle East, many of which are located in the very locations where we are reducing our public
presence.
"The United States used to have a similar worldwide program through its 'American Centers,' which taught
English, housed libraries and hosted U.S. film series, and featured exhibitions and lectures by visiting American
authors, scientists, human rights lawyers, and other speakers.
"[But] The consolidation of the United States Information Agency into the State Department--along with
security concerns--resulted in the demise of almost all the Centers (the excellent American Centers in
Alexandria, New Delhi and Rangoon are among the few exceptions) and led to their rebirth as Information
Resource Centers (or 'IRCs') most often housed inside our new Embassies.
"These Embassy compounds place a premium on protecting our diplomats and often convey an atmosphere ill-
suited to encouraging the casual visitor, with almost half of the 177 IRCs operating on a 'by appointment only'
basis.
"Additionally, usage figures demonstrate that our IRCs in the Middle East which are located inside our
Embassies receive six times fewer visitors than similar facilities in the region located outside our compounds.
"This lack of easily accessible facilities, where foreigners can read about United States history and government
and access newspapers and the Internet in an environment free from their own government’s censorship has
hurt us—particularly when over 80% of the world’s population is listed by Freedom House [a neo-conservative
research and publishing organization] as having a press that is either 'Not Free' or only 'Partly Free.'
"Where once we were seen as the world’s leader in intellectual discourse and debate, we are now viewed as
withdrawn and unconcerned with any views other than our own. While the re-creation of the U.S. Information
Agency (USIA) is not realistic, a program to re-establish the American Centers that uses the teaching of
English to offset operating costs would go far to demonstrate that we are committed to re-engaging in a
dialogue with the world.
"Such a program would entail re-locating a small number of Embassy officials outside our diplomatic
compounds in those locations where the security climate permits and where we are able to provide them with
appropriately secure facilities. If we hope to change opinions towards us, we must be able to interact with the
world.
"We have learned much in recent years about keeping our personnel overseas safe; as such, increased
accessibility need not come at the cost of security.
"Mr. Foldi’s report provides important insights into the current state of our Public Diplomacy and offers valuable
recommendations based on his travels and years of work in the field. As the title of his report suggests, we
have been too long on the sidelines of Public Diplomacy in recent years, and it is indeed time for the United
States to 'Get Back In The Game.'
"I hope that you find this report helpful as Congress works with the new administration to strengthen our Public
Diplomacy efforts and look forward to continuing to work with you on these issues.
Sincerely,
RICHARD G. LUGAR,
Ranking Member.
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newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
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By Cliff Montgomery - May 2nd, 2009
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 13th released a study discussing how the U.S. may
repair its badly damaged diplomatic relations with the rest of the world.
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), the ranking Republican member of the panel, produced a thoughtful introduction
for the study. The American Spark reproduces that introduction below:
"Recent polling suggests that support for the United States throughout the world is on a slight increase but
remains well below the fifty percent mark in many countries, even among those nations normally considered
strong allies. This less-than positive attitude towards our nation has impacts ranging from national security
threats, to lost trade opportunities, to a significant drop in tourism, to parents overseas refusing to allow their
children to be educated in U.S. universities.
"The sources of this problem are many. Some of these include honest disagreements with our policies and our
actions. But many are based on misrepresentations of our goals, values and motives targeted at those
prepared to believe the worst about us. Yet, in spite of recent actions to counter these misperceptions, our
efforts to present our point of view have not been getting through. It is time to re-think how we conduct our
Public Diplomacy.
"With this in mind, I sent Paul Foldi of my Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff to travel to the Middle
East and Latin America in December 2008 to discuss U.S. Public Diplomacy efforts with our Embassy and
local officials. His report focuses on the need for greater direct U.S. engagement with average citizens
overseas who now have virtually no contact with Americans.
"In order to overcome years of mistrust, this re-engagement should be on the same scope and scale as
currently conducted by the British, French and German governments, all of which currently offer language
instruction and information about their countries in their own government-run facilities throughout the world.
"Iran is also dramatically increasing its outreach efforts through its network of Cultural Centers in Africa, Asia
and the Middle East, many of which are located in the very locations where we are reducing our public
presence.
"The United States used to have a similar worldwide program through its 'American Centers,' which taught
English, housed libraries and hosted U.S. film series, and featured exhibitions and lectures by visiting American
authors, scientists, human rights lawyers, and other speakers.
"[But] The consolidation of the United States Information Agency into the State Department--along with
security concerns--resulted in the demise of almost all the Centers (the excellent American Centers in
Alexandria, New Delhi and Rangoon are among the few exceptions) and led to their rebirth as Information
Resource Centers (or 'IRCs') most often housed inside our new Embassies.
"These Embassy compounds place a premium on protecting our diplomats and often convey an atmosphere ill-
suited to encouraging the casual visitor, with almost half of the 177 IRCs operating on a 'by appointment only'
basis.
"Additionally, usage figures demonstrate that our IRCs in the Middle East which are located inside our
Embassies receive six times fewer visitors than similar facilities in the region located outside our compounds.
"This lack of easily accessible facilities, where foreigners can read about United States history and government
and access newspapers and the Internet in an environment free from their own government’s censorship has
hurt us—particularly when over 80% of the world’s population is listed by Freedom House [a neo-conservative
research and publishing organization] as having a press that is either 'Not Free' or only 'Partly Free.'
"Where once we were seen as the world’s leader in intellectual discourse and debate, we are now viewed as
withdrawn and unconcerned with any views other than our own. While the re-creation of the U.S. Information
Agency (USIA) is not realistic, a program to re-establish the American Centers that uses the teaching of
English to offset operating costs would go far to demonstrate that we are committed to re-engaging in a
dialogue with the world.
"Such a program would entail re-locating a small number of Embassy officials outside our diplomatic
compounds in those locations where the security climate permits and where we are able to provide them with
appropriately secure facilities. If we hope to change opinions towards us, we must be able to interact with the
world.
"We have learned much in recent years about keeping our personnel overseas safe; as such, increased
accessibility need not come at the cost of security.
"Mr. Foldi’s report provides important insights into the current state of our Public Diplomacy and offers valuable
recommendations based on his travels and years of work in the field. As the title of his report suggests, we
have been too long on the sidelines of Public Diplomacy in recent years, and it is indeed time for the United
States to 'Get Back In The Game.'
"I hope that you find this report helpful as Congress works with the new administration to strengthen our Public
Diplomacy efforts and look forward to continuing to work with you on these issues.
Sincerely,
RICHARD G. LUGAR,
Ranking Member.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark e-
newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
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