Word: reformator
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...sounded cautious, and who can blame her? Than Shwe "remains impervious to the appeal of reform or compromise with the opposition because he wishes at all costs to maintain a personal monopoly on power," says Seekins. So will a fresh diplomatic onslaught work? The new U.S. approach on Burma is the product of a White House that stresses diplomacy over confrontation. "It's more a change in tactics than overall strategy," says Fink. Also driving the policy review are Washington's concerns over China's influence over Burma and Than Shwe's apparent nuclear ambitions. Seekins believes Washington risks overestimating...
...happen anytime soon. It would send "the wrong signal," warned Campbell. His boss agrees. "Sanctions remain important as part of our policy," said Hillary Clinton, describing them and engagement as "tools" to achieve the same goal: democracy in Burma. Considering Than Shwe's nonexistent track record on reform, U.S. officials are right to downplay the impact of engagement. Barring any real concessions from the hard man himself - starting with the release of Suu Kyi and other political prisoners prevented from running in next year's polls - democracy remains a distant prospect. "Everyone is calling for reform...
Then what? First, perhaps, a pause for breath. In 1989, when the Berlin Wall came down, there were 12 members of the European Community, as the E.U. was then known. Now there are 27. Inevitably, institutional reform of this metastasizing body has dominated debate for years, as its members have tried to figure how to make the damn thing work. The attention of political leaders has been directed inward, at just the time when tectonic movements outside Europe - the revival of political Islam, the economic rise of Asia - have both threatened and diminished Europe's centrality in world affairs. (Read...
Given the fact that the meeting took place when debate over health reform was already in full swing, it's likely that the two sides were simply hearing what they wanted to hear. Whatever the case, they have certainly been talking past each other ever since. Obama added abortion funding to the list of "myths" like death panels that he dismissed in his public appearances. When he said in his address to the joint session of Congress in September that "under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions," the President was referring to direct funding...
Democrats may still find a way to address the USCCB's concerns in health reform - and they're negotiating separately with the pro-life Democrats who will be needed to pass health-reform legislation. But some feel burned by earlier attempts at negotiation and are ready to forget about courting the bishops' support. They point out that the Catholic Health Association, which represents more than 1,200 Catholic health systems and facilities, has been more encouraging of Democratic proposals (although the CHA has yet to endorsed any bill). Obama recently appointed CHA's president and CEO, Sister Carol Keehan...