ONE OF THE most impressive and far-reaching statements in President Barack Obama’s inaugural address was his rejection of “any false choice between our safety and our ideals”. He used the phrase again yesterday after signing an order to close Guantánamo prison in Cuba within a year. This is a welcome indication that he understands just how damaging a symbol it has become.
The further announcements last evening that Mr George Mitchell and Mr Richard Holbrooke are to be his special envoys on Israel-Palestine and Afghanistan-Pakistan are equally significant, confirming the decisive and well-judged character of his first 48 hours in office.
The question of whether to try the Guantanamo prisoners or release them is difficult indeed given the fact that only 18 of the 245 people being held have been charged. Some are suspected of being involved in the 9/11 attacks. Mr Obama said he will not abandon those ideals for the sake of expedience.
“The message that we are sending around the world is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism and we are going to do so vigilantly,” he said, “in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals”. That is much the better way for a civilised society that wants to continue its global leadership role.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern says the Government is now willing to allow some of these prisoners settle in Ireland if other European Union states do likewise. It would be a fitting gesture, given the huge and distinguished role played by Mr Mitchell in the Irish peace process. His appointment makes Ireland a potential model in the Middle East. The wider question of what to do about the thousands of prisoners detained by the US or allied states like Iraq is also addressed in the order Mr Obama signed yesterday. It should be addressed in accordance with his offer to “seek a new way forward, based on mutual interests and mutual respect” with the Muslim world.
Mr Obama must have that principle in mind as he signals urgent attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to his promised withdrawal from Iraq, the growing US military commitment to Afghanistan and his proposal that Iranian leaders should be engaged in tough talks without preconditions. In announcing the appointments of Mr Mitchell and Mr Holbrooke yesterday he did not refer directly to Iran, but he should maintain this commitment. A logical corollary of that should be a readiness to engage with Hamas, as it asserts itself politically in Gaza after the end of Israel’s 23-day attack. Whether that comes through encouraging fresh Palestinian elections and pursuit of a national government with Fatah in the West Bank and Gaza capable of conducting effective negotiations with Israel remains to be seen.
There is thus a real opportunity for imaginative US diplomacy in these areas during the early months of this new administration. That can build on the goodwill and high expectations Mr Obama has generated. His first burst of activity shows he properly appreciates these realities.