A panel of speakers debated American foreign policy last nightin front of an audience of almost 500 at Southern MethodistUniversity.
The People Speak, which is hosting 25 of these events, bringsmajor global issues to high schools, colleges and various civic andreligious groups nationwide.
Among the three panelists were former Speaker of the House, TomFoley; former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Robert Jordan; and formerAmbassador to Zaire, Somalia, and Pakistan, Robert B. Oakley.
ABC Nightline correspondent, David Marash, moderated the event.Marash asked questions with a commonly held theme: the media as achief influence in worldwide attitude toward America.
“In a nation of audiences, we are what we watch,”Marash said. “So what changes must be made in diplomacy in aworld of global news coverage?”
Panelists discussed how the Arab news channel, Al-Jazeera, oftenshows only one side of the story to an audience of impressionableyoung adults. Ambassador Foley noted that the one-sidedness of theprogram could be partially attributed to failed efforts in thedevelopment of American programs in diplomacy.
“The U.S. has a much better case to make than it hasmade,” Foley said. “But America has to be convinced asa people and [must know] we cannot do it alone.”
Agreeing with Foley, Ambassador Oakley noted that the visualaspect of news captures emotionally charged messages.
“Part of this is not necessarily the process, but themessage,” he said. “[We must] find the root ofwhat’s infecting the entire Muslim world—andwe’re far away from that.”
Marash explained that between one-third and one-half of Iraqihomes have satellite dishes, which exposes them to state of the arttelevision every day. He noted that, as a world leader, the UnitedStates must keep up with the messages the media gives.
All panelists agreed that, despite a recent poll showing that 80to 90 percent of Iraqis want American troops out of their country,it would be a mistake to retreat.
“Victory by coming home is not an option,”Ambassador Foley said. “We must face the consequences ofhaving gone.”
Ambassador Jordan stressed the danger in relying on these polls,arguing that opinions could change drastically within six months.He noted the importance of having Arab students at Americanuniversities, claiming that the opportunities presented to themwould make a more positive impression on their people.
Ambassador Oakley summed up the discussion by addressingAmerica’s lack of credibility.
“We have to have a different vision of where we’regoing,” he said.
The discussion was followed by a student-panelist question andanswer session and a brief speech from SMU’s Student BodyPresident Chip Hiemenz.
The People Speak will be hosting panels on issues such as globalsecurity, environmental challenges and prosperity in the globaleconomy through October 19, 2004. For more information, visit theorganization’s website at http://www.thepeoplespeak.org.