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Former Undersecretary of State of Democracy and Global Affairs Urges Obama Administration to Support Democracy and Human Rights through Community of Democracies
April 27, 2009 | Printer Friendly

In a special section in the online edition of the Sunday, April 26 Washington Post, CCD Board Member and former Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky, urges the Obama administration in the next 100 days in office to take a leadership role in support of democracy and human rights. She specifically suggests that the July Ministerial of the Community of Democracies in Portugal is an important opportunity to recognize the efforts of democratic countries around the world to support democratic principles, and that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should attend the Ministerial:

PAULA J. DOBRIANSKY

Undersecretary of state for democracy and global affairs in the George W. Bush administration; senior fellow at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

The Obama administration has asserted that strong international partners make for a strong America. However, American leadership on democracy and human rights remains essential. In the next 100 days, the administration must properly balance realism and idealism in its foreign policy. Strength without astute diplomacy is not a viable strategy. This administration, which has placed a premium on multilateral engagement, has an opportunity to clarify its policies on democracy promotion through its own initiatives and by supporting other country's efforts.

President Obama has identified Afghanistan and Pakistan as a top priority and increased U.S. troop levels. To foster stability in the region, our military efforts must be complemented by a robust strategy of economic and civil society development. We should press global partners that are reluctant to shoulder a greater military burden to focus on promoting entrepreneurship, the rule of law and human rights -- and demonstrate our continued commitment to these issues.

In July, Portugal will host the Community of Democracies Ministerial, bringing together a network of democratic countries to assess the state of global freedom. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should attend and embrace the efforts of countries such as Hungary, which created the International Center for Democratic Transitions; India, which has contributed significantly to the U.N. Democracy Fund; Mali, which has spearheaded work on democracy and development; and Chile, which assisted in the launch of the OAS-AU democracy dialogue. Her participation would reaffirm our support for the leadership of our friends.

Washington Post: Topic A: The Next 100 Days