Insight Lukewarm Support for Three Heroes of Freedom

JUNE 12, 2012

Thirty years ago this week, former President Ronald Reagan posited: “The ultimate determinate in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas – a trial of spiritual resolve; the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideas to which we are dedicated.” Speaking to the British Parliament, Reagan called for a new American commitment to supporting freedom across the globe, urging: “We must be staunch in our conviction that freedom is not the sole prerogative of a lucky few, but the inalienable and universal right of all human beings.”

Today, America’s resolve in defense of freedom continues to be tested. Recent cases involving three individuals in China, , and Russia illustrate lukewarm commitment by the Obama Administration.

China

First consider the case of blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng. Chen had escaped illegal house arrest and appealed to the U.S. embassy for help on the eve of a major bilateral summit. Embassy officials, after commendably helping sneak him into the embassy, told him his wife’s safety could be compromised unless he moved into a Chinese hospital. Chen agreed, but once there, found himself again under the watch of Chinese security officials, without contact with the embassy. Not surprisingly, Chen reconsidered his plans and decided he would prefer to go with his family to the U.S. Travel documents were procured to allow him to study at New York University, where he is today.

While the story has a basically happy ending, sloppy work along the way made the U.S. appear less than fully committed to Chen’s wellbeing. Chen clearly was rushed out of the embassy in order to prevent his case from interfering with the summit. Intentionally or not, embassy officials appear to have used his wife’s safety as a bargaining chip. Then, U.S. officials either disregarded or failed to think through such basic issues as ensuring access to Chen in the hospital. With such poor planning, it was inevitable that the original deal would collapse, leaving our diplomats with egg on their faces.

The Obama administration could have used the episode to elevate the issue of human rights in the U.S.-China

AMERICANACTIONFORUM.ORG bilateral relationship. Instead, Obama and other senior officials declined to talk about the case. Administration officials also missed the opportunity to defend Chen’s work in opposing China’s one-child policy – a policy which Vice President Biden in August 2011 said he understood and wouldn’t “second guess.”

At the end of the day, the world was left with the impression of an administration willing, but extremely reluctant, to stand up for American values, particularly if the timing is inconvenient.

Pakistan

Obama administration officials likewise have been too complacent in their defense of Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani doctor who assisted U.S. intelligence in the run-up to the raid on ’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. After the raid, Pakistani authorities arrested Afridi for cooperating with a foreign intelligence agency. Last month he was sentenced to 33 years in prison.

If Afridi’s help indeed was “instrumental in taking down one of the world’s most notorious murderers,” as Secretary of State put it, the U.S. ought to be relentless in seeking his release. Instead, when pressed on the issue, spokespersons at the State Department and White House have been evasive, promising continued “conversations” between the two nations as diplomats “raise the issue.” Congress, for its part, essentially fined Pakistan by withholding $33 million in aid, a mere fraction of the nearly $1 billion total annual package.

The case raises more questions regarding Pakistan’s sympathies in the fight against al Qaeda. It also illustrates a troubling lack of American influence in Pakistan, despite significant American assistance dollars.

In the continuing fight against terrorism, we need more heroes like Dr. Afridi. The Obama administration needs to stand up for him so that others will stand with us.

Russia

Finally, consider the Obama administration’s lack of enthusiasm for the Magnitsky bill, legislation named for Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who was arrested after exposing a massive corruption scheme involving

AMERICANACTIONFORUM.ORG Russian officials. Magnitsky was tortured and denied medical treatment. He died in prison three years ago.

Congress has been considering a bill that would impose a travel ban and asset freeze on any person responsible for the extrajudicial killing or of those who, like Magnitsky, seek to expose illegal activities by Russian government figures or to promote human rights and democracy. The Kremlin has vowed to retaliate if the bill becomes law.

While the legislation comes too late to help Magnitsky, it will hold his abusers accountable, and serve as a tool to help the U.S. respond to other human rights travesties committed by the Russian government. The Obama administration should pay tribute to Magnitsky’s memory by supporting the bill. Instead, it has worked to delay the bill’s passage.

It’s no coincidence that these high-profile human rights cases involve countries of great significance to the United States. That should not preclude the Obama administration from standing up vociferously for American values. Reagan believed in American leadership through strength. He also knew that “no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.” Obama’s reluctance to exert American leadership is well known, but it would be nice to see a bit more moral courage.

AMERICANACTIONFORUM.ORG