Amitai Etzioni Notes

Three Cheers for the French Safety Corridor

The suggestion to employ military force to open and safeguard a corridor from Chad into Sudan, to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, has much more importance than at first meets the eye. The suggestion has just been made by France's new foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, who has much experience in these matters (he is a co-founder and former president of Doctors Without Borders).

The suggestion's global importance of this idea arises out of the fact that it further underscores a profound change in international norms that have been highly regarded and very often honored since the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia; namely, that sovereign states are not to interfere in one another's internal affairs.

Turkey’s Misunderstood Moderate Muslims

The constitutional amendment that would lead to direct elections of the Turkish president, replacing the current election by parliament, is in the interest of the United States. This course is best followed despite the fact that direct elections are likely to lead to a head of state who is an observant Muslim.

The parliamentary election of an observant Muslim, Abdullah Gul, was recently annulled by the Turkish high court following a brazen ultimatum from the military. The military insists on secular heads of state, making a mockery of the much-vaunted Turkish democracy.

Walls Do Slow Terrorism

You can be very critical about what President Bush does and says and stands for, and still see considerable merit in the walls that are finally being erected in Baghdad. They separate Shia and Sunni neighborhoods, protecting each from the other's car bombs and death squads. True, these walls do not stop the bloodshed.

Nothing does. However, given the rank anarchy and violence that prevails the area, any peaceful measure that enhances security should be welcomed.