The Ugly American

— It is interesting to note that, during the mid-20th century, the US with its revolutionary past and Statue of Liberty had loomed as a guiding beacon for all nations trying to extricate themselves from European imperialism. Contradictions within the US, such as denial of civil rights to coloured people, had been ignored, while its role in ending the Hitler scourge had invested it with leadership of the free world. But then came Vietnam and Nixon, and abruptly the image of the Ugly American loomed large on the global horizon, that of an affluent bully coercing less empowered nations to kowtow to its diktats! Successive US Presidents of both the Republican and Democratic parties did not quite succeed in eradicating such a perception despite the end of the Cold War or well-meant efforts at brokering peace in troubled spots of the world. The nadir came during the George W Bush regime, which brought about global hostility against the US on ideological as well as religious grounds. Not only sworn enemies like the Taliban or Iran, but also certain European nations which had been traditional allies, turned against the US, and it stood isolated from a greater part of the globe. The endeavour of the new US President to reach out to perceived enemies of the past has to be seen within such a context of American isolation.

While refusing to compromise with fundamentalist forces. Barack Obama since his inauguration has been sending out conciliatory signals towards countries openly inimical to the US, his assurance of holding direct talks with Iran being one salutary example. The recently concluded Fifth Summit of the Americas at Port of Spain had offered him yet another forum to present the new face of America, and he used the opportunity to good effect. Having already proved through previous actions that he wanted to end American unilateralism, his promise of cooperative partnership of equals with his peers carried conviction with the 33 other heads of State. Even those Latin American countries which had earlier labelled the US as a symbol of imperialistic oppression felt reassured that a change was in the offing, no matter that Obama refused to commit himself to immediately lifting the US trade embargo on Cuba. The best illustration of this was the response of congenital US baiter, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who was impressed enough to propose restoration of US-Venezuela diplomatic ties. It is too early to say how successful Obama’s attempt to reach out will prove, given the intricacies of international politics. Yet, considering the enormous fractures that have developed in the global geo-political scenario and given rise to violence and terrorism, the sanest route to a safer world, as also a makeover to Uncle Sam’s image, would surely be the one Obama is trying to take. ASSAM TRIBUNE