Diplomatic Words in War Time
By C Naseer Ahmad
Washington, DC
President Obama spoke eloquently and honestly on Memorial Day commemorating all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Most striking were his remarks about the Vietnam Conflict half a century ago. "Patriots can support a war, patriots can oppose a war and whatever our view, let us always stand united in support of our troops who we've placed in harm's way," he said removing the stigmatization of having a sometimes unpopular view.
Not long ago Afghanistan was considered the former Soviet Union’s Vietnam. But by happenstance or by missteps America finds itself in a conflict that not only is the longest war but eerily parallels the tragedies of Vietnam and Cambodia. Bad news arrives on the doorsteps through the daily newspaper delivery of reports about Afghanistan and Pakistan – just like it did decades ago about Vietnam and Cambodia.
In these heated times, unfortunately, nothing that President Obama says - with good intentions to convey the message that America is a force for good - is convincing the public in these war torn countries. Tragically, the Raymond Davis affair provided further ammunition to those who harbor both suspicions and antipathy towards the United States. So it is not surprising the US diplomats are more likely to be viewed with suspicion and derision.
The real goodness in American public servants – soldiers, diplomats and Peace Corps volunteers – is exemplified by a former Minnesota farm boy called David J. Garms. Through a long dedicated professional service, people like Garms put themselves in harm’s way to make life better for fellow human beings in far flung villages in Africa and the rugged terrain near Islamabad. They adapt themselves to unfamiliar cultures and learn different languages to solve human problems.
From the first interaction with Garms at a friend’s dinner table in the Franklin Farm neighborhood in Northern Virginia, one could immediately notice that he still remembered Urdu words from his trips to Pakistan and a stint in Bihar, India. So much for the arrogance of American diplomats! As we broke bread together, he expressed his interest in providing “halal meat” for the Muslims in Northern Virginia from his farm near Toms Brook, Virginia.
The book “With the Dragon’s Children” by Garms, published by Exposition Banner some forty years ago, and not the cups of tea with diplomats like him reveal the true goodness in Americans who are called on to serve overseas. It is a “true story of a Minnesota farm boy who was sent to rehabilitate Viet Cong (the Taliban of that era) and instead learned the truth about a way of life and war”.
Through nine chapters, as a reader I found out about a brief history of Vietnam, a town in Mekong Delta, about the men who changed sides and about hearts and minds. Not to mention an uncomfortable question - “will you eat dog meat?” - which for some in today’s conflicts could just as easily be asked “will you eat humble pie?” In less than 200 pages, Garms brought the real story of the armed conflict in my hands to enjoy. With remarkable humility he dedicated the book to the people of Go Cong, whom he served. “Whatever their destiny, may it be their own,” he added echoing the real sincerity of his fellow Americans.
“Governments have struggled and caused their people to suffer in the name of these people, but who knows their names?” Garms wrote more than forty years ago and provided names of a few he worked with. Governments like people make mistakes too as the history of Vietnam War shows us. Because governments are made up of people, they can learn from their mistakes also.
But it will be a folly to deduce the wrong lessons from the Vietnam War which may have led to the end of South Vietnam but it did not result in the end of America and its influence. Quiet contrarily, it is America to which both Vietnam and Cambodia seem to turn to for security as well as for gaining access to the marketplaces for their products.
Creating a welcoming atmosphere for diplomats as well as technical experts could deliver tangible benefits for Afghani and Pakistani people. This is the positive lesson from the Vietnam conflict. Angry rhetoric in the name of sovereignty is neither diplomatic nor promises to bring food to the table of the needy people in the region.
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