[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1410 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1410

Supporting efforts to advance United States international diplomacy and 
    engagement in order to restore United States credibility abroad.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 1, 2008

  Ms. Moore of Wisconsin (for herself, Ms. Lee, Ms. Schakowsky, Mrs. 
  Christensen, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Hastings of Florida, and Mr. Carson) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting efforts to advance United States international diplomacy and 
    engagement in order to restore United States credibility abroad.

Whereas America's global stature and standing is an asset in its efforts to 
        achieve foreign policy goals and respond to threats to building a more 
        secure and prosperous world;
Whereas in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001, there was an 
        international showing of sympathy and support for the United States, and 
        since then, polls conducted by the Government of the United States and 
        other entities have showed a troubling and sharp decline in public 
        opinion toward the United States around the globe;
Whereas according to the results of the Pew Global Attitudes Survey, conducted 
        between 2002 and 2007, the number of people with a favorable view of the 
        United States fell in 26 countries out of the 33 surveyed;
Whereas according to the results of the Pew Global Attitudes Survey, a majority 
        of those surveyed said they have a very or somewhat favorable opinion of 
        the United States in only 8 of 23 countries;
Whereas according to the results of the Pew Global Attitudes Survey, in many 
        countries central to the fight against terrorism, the general public 
        deeply distrusts the United States, with solid majorities in France, 
        Germany, and Spain continuing to express unfavorable opinions;
Whereas according to the Pew Global Attitudes Survey, in Turkey, which is a 
        secular, Muslim, non-Arab democracy and a member of the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization, only 9 out of 100 people have a favorable view of 
        the United States, a 43 percent decline from 2000;
Whereas the Pew Global Attitudes Survey found that the American people, 
        considered separately from United States foreign policy, were viewed 
        positively by majorities in 14 countries, including at least 70 percent 
        in South Korea, Lebanon, Poland, and Great Britain;
Whereas the Advisory Group on Public Diplomacy for the Arab and Muslim World 
        (Advisory Group), a subcommittee of the Congressionally-created Advisory 
        Commission on Public Diplomacy, reported, ``Although the objective of 
        foreign policy is to promote our national interests and not, 
        specifically, to inspire affection, hostility toward the United States 
        makes achieving our policy goals far more difficult'';
Whereas a report by the International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight 
        Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign 
        Affairs stated that the decline in United States standing and 
        credibility abroad was not caused by a rejection of shared values such 
        as democracy, human rights, tolerance, and freedom of speech, and that a 
        number of reports have found that people worldwide, including Arabs and 
        Muslims, support our values but believe that our policies do not live up 
        to those standards;
Whereas reasons put forward for this decline in global public opinion include 
        the war in Iraq, instances of torture and rendition, and a perception 
        that American decisions and actions are made unilaterally and without 
        regard to international laws or standards;
Whereas the decline in global public opinion has also been attributed to the 
        unfortunate and ill-advised use of words and rhetoric by American 
        officials, which has increased skepticism of motives and actions;
Whereas specifically, the use of words to arouse strong fear-based emotions that 
        tarnish entire peoples or religions has been cited as a reason behind 
        the decline in perceptions of America abroad, which hinders, not helps, 
        American national policy objectives;
Whereas the Advisory Group noted that ``a single word from the President of the 
        United States (or from a Congressman or even an American entertainer) 
        can harden into formidable antagonism the view of an Arab citizen who 
        was wavering on a policy question'';
Whereas soon after the September 11, 2001 attacks, President George W. Bush 
        recognized the importance of words, and renamed the United States 
        response ``Operation Enduring Crusade'', when experts pointed out a 
        reference to the religious wars could be interpreted as inflammatory;
Whereas President Bush recently expressed regret about using phrases such as 
        ``bring them on'' or ``dead or alive'', which may have led people around 
        the world, including our allies, to believe that he was ``not a man of 
        peace'';
Whereas President Bush recognized these terms made the world think ``he was a 
        guy anxious for war'' in Iraq and that ``in retrospect, [he] could have 
        used a different tone, a different rhetoric'';
Whereas in testimony before the 9/11 Commission, then Deputy Secretary of State 
        Richard Armitage stated that Americans have been ``exporting our fears 
        and our anger'', not our vision of opportunity and hope;
Whereas Harold C. Pachios of the United States Advisory Commission on Public 
        Diplomacy testified before Congress that in the information age, the 
        statements of American officials travel to ``villagers in Jordan, 
        Indonesia and Pakistan [who] will see and hear it simultaneously with 
        people in Wichita, Portland, and Louisville . . . the same words and 
        ideas reach our global audience, sometimes with unflattering editing, as 
        quick as it reaches domestic audiences'';
Whereas the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Civil Rights and Civil 
        Liberties has recommended that United States officials use language 
        strategically in their outreach to certain communities, noting the need 
        to be ``conscious of history, culture, and context'' and warning that 
        ``in an era where a statement can cross continents in a manner of 
        seconds, it is essential that officials consider how terms translate, 
        and how they will resonate with a variety of audiences'';
Whereas the success of American diplomacy and the achievement of foreign policy 
        goals will rely in part on the United States repairing its diminished 
        reputation and credibility worldwide and consistently reaching out to 
        and partnering with countries around the world, in both words and deeds, 
        where current views of our Nation are very low;
Whereas the United States cannot have a constructive foreign policy in regions 
        like the Middle East, northern Africa, or South Asia if its organs of 
        national policy do not engage in thoughtful and constructive dialogue 
        and policy making;
Whereas there are mainstream and moderate groups in the Middle East and 
        throughout the world willing to work to achieve peace;
Whereas tough-sounding rhetoric is not an effective substitute for consistent 
        and multilateral diplomacy and statecraft, financial or military 
        assistance, or leadership;
Whereas Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has noted the ``need for a dramatic 
        increase in spending on the civilian instruments of national security--
        diplomacy, strategic communications, foreign assistance, civic action, 
        and economic reconstruction and development'';
Whereas while it is appropriate to denounce violence against innocent civilians 
        and terrorist acts, diplomacy does not consist solely or largely of 
        denouncing, condemning, or threatening;
Whereas it should be noted that Israel has entered into talks with Syria, 
        mediated by Turkey, to discuss the Golan Heights; struck a deal with 
        Hezbollah to exchange the remains of soldiers and prisoners, with 
        Germany acting as a mediator; and media reports continue to indicate 
        that Israel may be working to reach a cease fire with Hamas, through 
        mediators, in Gaza; and
Whereas the 9/11 Commission recommended that ``The United States Government must 
        define what the message is, what it stands for . . . [and] should offer 
        an example of moral leadership in the world, committed to treat people 
        humanely, abide by the rule of law, and be generous and caring to our 
        neighbors'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that support for free speech, especially as 
        protected by the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, is a 
        hallmark of our Nation's political discourse;
            (2) recognizes that achieving important national security 
        and international priorities will require restraint and wisdom 
        on the part of our Nation's leaders and diplomats, particularly 
        the use of provocative language which may undermine legitimate 
        diplomatic and national security efforts;
            (3) expresses concern about the potential adverse effects 
        of growing negative perceptions of the United States around the 
        globe on efforts to address global threats facing our Nation;
            (4) reaffirms support for policies and actions that address 
        and reverse the dangerous degradation of America's global 
        standing and influence, which should stress the use of 
        statements and policies that emphasize American values and 
        focus on our diplomatic goals and objectives, not personalities 
        and characterizations;
            (5) recognizes that diplomacy, engagement, and gaining 
        international support will be critical to the success of 
        American efforts, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to reach 
        agreements on issues such as securing peace between Israelis 
        and Palestinians, furthering international efforts to curb 
        Iran's nuclear ambitions, bringing an end to the genocide in 
        Darfur, and addressing the global food crisis and HIV/AIDS 
        pandemic;
            (6) urges the Department of State and other Federal 
        agencies to continue to make proactive efforts to recognize and 
        incorporate the importance of using communications and language 
        wisely and strategically in diplomatic and other efforts to 
        deal with the threats facing our country;
            (7) recognizes the need for international players to stop 
        using rhetoric that merely promotes and fosters animosity; and
            (8) calls on all parties, including the Administration and 
        the international community, to engage in constructive 
        activities, statements, and resolutions that promote an 
        environment conducive to dialogue and diplomacy.
                                 <all>