WEST WING LOYALTY: A FINE LINE
WEST WING LOYALTY: A FINE LINE
Christian Science Monitor: During his father's administration, George W. Bush was dubbed the "loyalty thermometer" for his unofficial job at the White House of monitoring and controlling leaks and criticism.
As president, he's used that gauge on his own political appointees more effectively than any White House in modern times. One indication of that came with the recent removal of his two top economic officials, which also raises a question about whether such discipline stifles internal White House debate and, indirectly, national debate.
Before he was forced to resign, former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill broke the code that limits criticism to inside the White House only. He publicly voiced doubts about broad tax cuts and warned about looming deficits. Top economic adviser Larry Lindsey strayed when he told a newspaper that an Iraq war could cost $200 billion. These were not the main reasons for their ousters, but the White House certainly was displeased with their comments.
Early this year, Mike Parker, director of the Army Corps of Engineers, testified on the Hill that Bush budget cuts would have a "negative impact" on the Corps and that he had no "warm and fuzzy" feelings toward the administration. Soon after, he was given 30 minutes to resign or be fired. Even after an official leaves this administration, he can feel the heat of rebuke. John DiIulio, who once led the president's faith-based initiative office, recently told Esquire magazine that the White House was completely run by the "political arm" of Karl Rove, the president's senior political adviser. Mr. DiIulio called it the "reign of the Mayberry Machiavellis," and at first stood by his comments. But after White House spokesman Ari Fleischer denounced them as "baseless and groundless," DiIulio retracted them -- as "groundless and baseless."
Tell the truth
One can argue that the White House must not air internal disputes once the president makes a decision. It contributes to a smooth-running White House, and certainly in wartime adds impetus for unity. But sometimes truth-telling in public is needed. Looming deficits, for instance, concern many people in the U.S.
Mr. Rove and others insist the White House itself is a safe zone for debate. Bob Woodward's new book, "Bush at War," shows this to be true at least in the case of Secretary of State Colin Powell, who often has been odd man out, compared with the hawkish vice president and defense secretary.
But could Mr. Powell be an exception? Because of his stature, he's mostly untouchable. Perhaps others might not feel as safe. After Mr. Parker was forced out, an official from another agency said he didn't want to take on the Office of Management and Budget because "we don't want to wind up like Mike Parker and others."
Loyalty has a very fine edge at the White House. Just over the line from discipline and unity is the fear of speaking up, which in turn can suppress debate.
A GAIN FOR SRI LANKA
Los Angeles Times: The suicide bombings and assassinations that have plagued Sri Lanka for nearly two decades have so poisoned the air that neutral locations are needed to discuss how to stop the killing. Norway has played a key role in mediating between the Tamil terrorists and the Sri Lankan government, and Oslo was chosen for talks this month that centered on how to maintain the cease-fire that has worked well for a year. The meetings produced an unexpected bonus: The terrorists gave up their demands for independence.
The minority Tamils on the beautiful island off the southern tip of India long have claimed that the majority Sinhalese discriminate against them. Nineteen years ago the Tamil Tigers demanded a separate homeland and launched a civil war in which 64,000 people have been killed -- this in a country of fewer than 20 million.
Fighting was especially savage in the northeast, where rebels held so much territory they established their own police stations and courts. India sent troops in the 1980s in an unsuccessful attempt to enforce a cease-fire. A Tamil suicide bomber who crossed into India assassinated former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 as he was campaigning for reelection.
A Tiger negotiator said his group would have to explain to followers why it had abandoned its demand for independence. But giving up the impossible dream of a new nation and acceptance of a "federal" state were important steps in making the cease-fire more solid. So was the trip by Tamil leaders to Switzerland last week to examine the Swiss government's relationship with the cantons.
Human rights
The Oslo talks were the third round in a year, resulting in what should be a clear road map to ending the civil war. The Tigers claim to have stopped recruiting children as soldiers or kidnapping them, and the next talks, scheduled for Thailand in January, will include human rights and possible constitutional changes to allow the Tamils the autonomy both sides have agreed on.
Washington considers the Tamil Tigers a terrorist organization and has helped Sri Lanka in the peace process by providing aid and financing the clearing of land mines. Some three dozen foreign nations gathered in Oslo in November to show support for the cease-fire and promise additional funds to rebuild from the devastation.
Past attempts to end the bloodshed have failed, but both sides appear sufficiently weary of the killing to give this cease-fire a greater chance for success.