While the folks at the State Department have generally been considered a millstone on President Bush's policy of promoting political, economic, and religious freedom throughout the world. Well, according to this piece in the Financial Times, it seems that the President has finally appointed some folks over at Foggy Bottom who seem to be on the same page and are finally rapping the fingers of the folks in North Korea. One person that seems to be standing out in the crowd and demonstrating a firm grasp on moral clarity is Jay Lefkowitz, who is the US Special Envoy on Human Rights in North Korea. Though most people in the diplomatic corp are unwilling to say anything that might seem offensive to another country, Lefkowitz is one who won't mince words or offer diplo-speak on the condition of human rights in North Korea but will lay blame were blame should go. Just see for yourself:
But Mr Lefkowitz said there were increasing signs that more information was making its way into isolated North Korea. "As dark as the situation may seem today, there may be some light beginning to peer through," he said. " Once light begins to shine on authoritarian regimes, the march of democracy cannot be far behind."The only thing I'd suggest is that Lefkowitz needs to follow the lead of President Reagan and start naming the folks who are being held in these prison camps to give them confidence that we know they're there and let the thugs in North Korea know that we've got our eye on them. I just wish that more folks in the State Department would step up to the plate and take up for the folks suffering at the hands of a dictator rather than shying away because they're scared to offend someone. So here's one to Jay Lefkowitz and his stand.
In a message he addressed to North Koreans, Mr Lefkowitz said: "I want you to know that you are not forgotten. Those of you who live and languish in prison camps should know that there is a growing number of people who keep you in their thoughts and prayers."
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