Word: diplomatic
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...major reason for the silence, say former Administration officials and Asian diplomats, was an ongoing struggle over the Bush Administration's North Korea policy. The State Department, led by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the U.S. point man for North Korea talks, still believe the only sensible path is the one they have been on for the last two years: trying, oh so patiently, to come to a deal with Kim that will at least eliminate his regime's plutonium program and the weapons it produced. Everything else, they believe, is secondary...
...Boucher may have ended the verbal spat, but the episode has once again highlighted India's diplomatic dilemma, as it cozies up to the world's only - but highly unpopular - superpower while not annoying traditional allies and preserving its own self-interest. "Iran is the litmus test for India's foreign policy," says former diplomat Rajiv Sikri. "India and Iran have been allies historically, and India's interests are bound with Iran's. If India cannot take a free stand on Iran, it can hardly hope to claim an independent foreign policy...
...spite of the hoopla over the formation of the new government, many observers remain skeptical about its prospects. A senior Western diplomat in Nairobi was blunt: "Kenyans welcomed the apparent agreement, though their media ridiculed the prospect of a Cabinet of 40 thieves. We're still keen to work with a genuine power-sharing government, but we'll watch closely how efficiently and transparently it uses resources." Kenyans will be watching whether or not Odinga and Kibaki will actually share power. They remember 2005, when Kibaki dismissed many members of his Cabinet - including Odinga - because it was riven by internal...
...diplomat, journalist, scholar and WW II Navy veteran, David Newsom wore many hats. But his greatest gift was for adept negotiation; Newsom's expertise was often called for during the most delicate and urgent situations, notably while he served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 1978 to '81. During that period he had to contend with Pakistan's growing nuclear program, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the 444-day Iranian hostage crisis, in which 52 Americans were held captive in Tehran. A lifelong public servant, Newsom always advocated negotiation and debate before resorting to conflict...
...When Annan got the two leaders to sign up to real power-sharing, he meant real [sharing]. The international community is still focused on Kenya," said a senior Western diplomat, who insisted on anonymity. "Its stability and prosperity matters to the region. We won't ignore those who put this at risk...