wfn.org | MCC Commentary: America Acts Alone

[Mennonite Central Committee Communications]

TOPIC:  MCC Commentary: Superpower solitaire; America acts alone
DATE:   September 13, 1996
CONTACT:  Pearl Sensenig
V: 717/859-1151 F: 717/859-2171
E-MAIL ADDRESS:  mailbox@mcc.org

SIDEBAR:  MCC COMMENTARY: SUPERPOWER SOLITAIRE;
AMERICA ACTS ALONE

WASHINGTON -- The United States is stumbling to find its way as
the world's sole superpower.  Since the end of the Cold War, the
United States has, with frightening frequency, acted unilaterally to
impose its political will on other countries.

  In March, President Clinton signed the Helms-Burton legislation that
tightens the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba by pressuring other
countries to reduce their economic activity in Cuba.  The action drew a
harsh rebuke from Canada and the Organization of American States.

  In August, the President signed legislation that imposes sanctions on
foreign governments and businesses that invest $40 million or more in
the oil and gas sectors of Iran or Libya.  European countries and
Japan, who favor "critical dialogue" with Iran, were outraged that the
United States should presume to define their trade partners.

  Then, in early September, the United States acted alone to punish
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for his incursion into the Kurdish area
of northern Iraq, by firing 44 cruise missiles into southern Iraq.  Arab
countries in the region did not support the U.S. military strike.

These unilateral U.S. actions come at a time when the United States
seems to display an increased disregard for the United Nations -- the
one international governmental body with some potential for holding
the sole superpower accountable.    

Superpower solitaire is a dangerous game.  Instead of exercising the
patience to collaborate with other countries about creative and
nonviolent resolutions to conflicts, the temptation seems overpowering
to impose American will through military might and economic
embargoes.   The result can only be a growing resentment of the
United States and a breakdown in international dialogue, the life blood
of diplomacy. 

Perhaps if the United States hopes to retain friends in the global
family, now, more than ever, is the time reduce its idolatrous
dependency on economic and military power and to join other nations
on more equal footing.  
                         -30-
J. Daryl Byler, MCC Washington Office
pls13september1996