Former Political Councilor to Greece John Brady Kiesling spoke about U.S. diplomacy Thursday evening to a crowded Chapel at Hamilton College, as a guest in the Alpha Delta Phi Lecture Series. Kiesling submitted his resignation to Secretary of State Colin Powell, effective March 7, in protest of U.S. action in Iraq.
Kiesling, who spent 20 years with the State Department, most recently as political counselor in the U.S. Embassy in Athens, said, "My resignation was an act of misery and frustration …which has given me a license to speak as much as you have given me an audience to listen." He said, "I was a naïve young aspiring archeologist when I entered the State Department… when I resigned I lost my right to a pension but I gained the right to speak my mind."
When asked, by a student, about his courageous act in resigning, Kiesling said, "I have never felt courageous- is it courage that when a coyote chews off its leg to escape a trap? I did what I needed to do and I feel better because of it." He explained he wants to speak out as best he can, with no illusions that he can actually stop the war, and encouraged the audience to contact their elected representative. He said, "I urge that you make clear to your representatives that an American government that is not a force for justice and peace in the world can not be a force for justice and peace at home."
Corbin Butcher '05, who introduced the speaker, said, "I thought he gave a great perspective based on his experience. Before I heard the talk I was more in favor of a swift militaristic solution to Iraq. After hearing him talk I believe that the United States should still strive for a solution in Iraq but be more thoughtful of our allies. I thought the point he made about the strains we are putting on our traditional alliance is important. Straining those strong alliances could be detrimental to our future but he (Kiesling) stressed, although we may be heading down the wrong track, we haven't irreparably damaged our relations with these allies."
Kiesling believes the U.S. should lead the world by example, saying, "We will not rule the world by fear… It's been a shock to me to find our friends are afraid of us…The world is afraid of us, not only our enemies, but our friends and allies have joined in being afraid of us… what are they afraid of?" He compared American to a wounded bull elephant in blinders determined to crush its foes, no matter the cost to its friends.
"I firmly believe Americans want to do good in the world," said Kiesling. "I do not believe that September 11 eliminated our desire to be good, or our ability to be good…When we look at the world and see fear and contempt and selfishness, let us be very clear that we are not just seeing ourselves in the mirror."
