Breakfast with Barack
Well not quite, but the US Consul Susan Elliot did organise a breakfast event at the Stormont Hotel this morning. Some of you may have heard my colleague Wendy Austin broadcasting on Good Morning Ulster from the event.
The Consul is reassuring anyone who asks that the new administration will continue to appoint a US Special Envoy to succeed Paula Dobriansky. During the campaign Senator Obama questioned the need for an Envoy, but later went back on that stance after running into opposition from Irish Americans.
The President Elect will now work on his policies and personnel in the run up to his inauguration on January 20th. There are rumours that Caroline Kennedy could be his ambassador in London, which would represent pay back for the Kennedys' support during his battle against Hillary Clinton. At the same time it might be a little ironic, as the last Kennedy to occupy this post was associated with isolationism and appeasement, a stance which Senator Obama roundly attacks in his book "The Audacity of Hope".
Flicking through the book overnight I was struck by how the President Elect's belief in multilateralism and "soft power" might draw him towards a greater emphasis on conflict resolution. Here are a few quotes. "We have an obligation to engage in efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East, not only for the benefit of the people of the region, but for the safety and security of our children as well". "We will have to go beyond a more prudent use of military force. We will have to align our policies to help reduce the spheres of insecurity, poverty and violence around the world". And finally "the struggle against Islamic based terrorism will be not simply a military campaign but a battle for public opinion in the Islamic world, among our allies and in the United States".
The First and Deputy First Minister have joined just about every other politician in the world in congratulating the President Elect. On Monday, the DFM was talking about conflict resolution when he answered questions about the future of the Maze site. The location remains highly contentious but the kind of work he envisages for the proposed international centre for conflict transformation dovetails with some of the President Elect's analysis.
So could our future relationship with the United States involve more emphasis on what me might be able to give the rest of the world, rather than what we might take? One barometer of how far down the agenda of the new administration we are will be how the new President chooses to play his first St Patrick's Day, just a couple of months after he takes office.
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Further proof of what Pan-dora said at the top of No Cobwebs in the Castle - Mark's blogs are top drawer.
I hope there is some sort of conflict analysis study centre built, and that it has an article right at the top of its constitution that imposes upon it a duty to ensure the people of Northern Ireland always know the cost of being as stupid as we were.
But let's face facts, ours isn't the first conflict to end, neither is it the first to be analysed in the hope of preventing or stopping other conflicts.
Barack, if you're reading this, congratulations. I hope you do help bring about peace in the middle east, maybe even with a tiny little bit of help from something learnt here.
After all, you are the wee skinny black guy who has performed in the greatest show on earth without putting a foot wrong, and made it to the top job in the world. No reason you can't do anything now.
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I think Barack is a bluffer. He campaigned for 9 months on the ticket of change. Nobody knows what this change is. If I campaigned for 9 months on the ticket of change will I get into the Assembly or Parliament?
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Reality sinks in
the first minister has welcomed a pro choice incumbent to the white house.
Some may sharpen knives those who live in the real world say free at last free at last thank god almighty I free at last.
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i'd just like to take this chance to join -rj- in using the d' diaries to speak directly to barack obama.
barack, what about ye? do you know a guy called billy with a mohawk from modesto? he says he knows you. anyway, well done, it would seem that 'yes, you could'.
and to john mccain, if you are also reading this, i just want to say commiserations and better luck next time. high five!! :))
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RJ
TIME TO DITCH PALIN
Is Sarah Palin still on your list of top political women?
Surely it's now time to replace Sarah with your old stand-by.
Susie
Carryduff
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Obama will have his hands full resolving current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as potential conflicts with North Korea, Iran (about to go nuclear) and Russia. As well as this he has promised to fix the economy, save the planet by changing the ways of inefficient and gas guzzling Americans and....but a puppy....! Not sure he will turn up on these shore too soon. When he does the executive may well have agreed to build "two" conflict resolution centres....!
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I am glad we dont have to see Sarah Palin any longer. Her nonsense was unbelievable. It will be interesting to see which off our MLA's will be the first to the White House when Obama takes up office. My money would be on Reg. Let's face it Reg is flirting with everyone else.
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I am going to miss her, yes Susie, and I can assure you she will be on my list of political women for a long time to come.
I presume the words "your old stand-by" link to a picture of Ann Widdecombe looking far from radiant.
Thus far I have refused to acknowledge your mischief, but if anybody is reading this who has not been following it, I do not, have not and never will have Ann Widdecombe in my list of top political women. The whole business is a figment (by proxy?) of Susie's imagination.
Mind you, I'd rather have her flirting with me than Reg. (By 'her' I mean Ann Widdecombe, not Susie).
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