Obama's Attempt at Foreign Policy Intervention

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:22:20 PM EST
Tags: Barack Obama, Kenya (all tags)

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Update: Odinga has changed his mind and now agreed to meet with President Kibaki. It may be that Barack Obama's telephone call was successful.

*****

The U.S. today urged Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga to engage in bi-lateral talks to resolve Kenya's political crisis.

Barack Obama called the opposition leader to urge him to agree to the talks.

Barack Obama, whose late father was Kenyan, spoke with the opposition leader Raila Odinga for about five minutes from New Hampshire, asking the opposition leader to meet directly with President Mwai Kibaki, said the Democratic presidential candidate's spokesman.
"He urged an end to violence and that Mr. Odinga sit down, without preconditions, with President Kibaki to resolve this issue peacefully," said the spokesman, Bill Burton.

The outcome (from first linked article): [More...]

But Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday rejected a government offer of bilateral talks to end a crisis that has killed at least 500 people and displaced some 255,000, saying that without international mediation such a meeting would be a sideshow.

More here.

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Obama's Attempt at Foreign Policy Intervention | 75 comments (75 topical)

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being a cousin of obinga (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by Turkana on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:03:03 PM EST

obama would be useless as a negotiator. if he can convince obinga and the luo to remain calm, that would be wonderful, but the excitement over his having called obinga is, well, typical...

for more context, i had a couple posts at tlc:

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011632.php#011632

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011677.php

The first thing i thought (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by Jgarza on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:21:33 PM EST

when i saw that he asked them to meet with out precondition, what powerful a statement it will be when he is president and the US talks with countries we don't like, without preconditions.

You know I didn't think invading Iraq or voting for Kyl Leberman was a good idea. So clearly my idea pf good foreign policy differs greatly with Clinton supporters.

wow... (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by mindfulmission on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:52:45 PM EST

... anything to make Obama look bad.

I can't wait for this to be over so that we can start talking about crime and justice issues again.

fwiw (5.00 / 1) (#72)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:57:36 PM EST

wiki says Odinga named his eldest son Fidel in honor of, well, you know who...

: OMG, Talk about swift boating fodder. (none / 0) (#75)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 05:44:31 PM EST

Add in the possibly Marxist H.S. teachers of Obama's mother and the fact his parents became Unitarian. What else will they need?

Yes, this is clearly Obama's fault. (none / 0) (#1)
by Geekesque on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:24:30 PM EST

How dare he try to help the situation.

But isn't it somewhat surprising he is (none / 0) (#3)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:27:42 PM EST

not only making these contacts but that also his campaign is publicizing his efforts?


No to the first and a "link please" to (none / 0) (#5)
by Geekesque on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:31:59 PM EST

the second.


Newsday AP Jan. 8/08: (none / 0) (#8)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:37:29 PM EST

NEWSDAY


Chicken/Egg? n/t (none / 0) (#31)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:25:31 PM EST

How so? (none / 0) (#34)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:27:59 PM EST

What I'm saying is that (none / 0) (#45)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:41:03 PM EST

we don't know if the reporters sniffed it out and asked or if Obama's people brought it up.

And there's this.


: Interesting addition. Thanks. (none / 0) (#62)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:06:38 PM EST

of course it's good (none / 0) (#4)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:27:46 PM EST

he tried. The point is he failed.


So, you're blaming him (none / 0) (#6)
by Geekesque on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:32:20 PM EST

for the failure of talks to get underway?


I'm pointing out (none / 0) (#7)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:36:25 PM EST

he was not successful.


This is perilously close to the Edwards killed (none / 0) (#9)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:40:08 PM EST

Theresa meme.

I think the issues are: (1) should a Presidential primary candidate (including Edwards re Musharraf) directly contact a foreign leader before the candidate is elected President? and (2) if the candidate does so, is it appropriate for the candidate's campaign to provide this information to the media?


And the answer is.... (none / 0) (#12)
by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:50:28 PM EST

No and no.

They aren't President yet. And it is likely to confuse any attempts the ACTUAL President might be trying to do.
If they do, they have to take the results, in this case failure, and admit it the same what they hucked the attempt.

just my take (none / 0) (#13)
by Judith on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:54:56 PM EST

I have no problem with someone trying to end violence. I didnt read the article yet but I wonder if anybody at the State Dept knew he was making those calls...

It is dumb to talk about it before you have a positive outcome.


Read the AP article. Obama talked to (none / 0) (#15)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:56:20 PM EST

Rice and later made a Voice of America spot.


so she was okay with it (none / 0) (#17)
by Judith on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:59:24 PM EST

I assume or he wouldnt have done it.

I have no problem with this.

It sucks that he failed - not sure he had any clout to get it done anyway...sorta a reach. I can imagine the response -"who wants me to do what?"

anyway I will read it before thinking of responding further.

Bye


: okay (none / 0) (#21)
by Judith on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:10:21 PM EST

I read it an my comments stand other than I think everyone knew who Obama was.

Yep (none / 0) (#33)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:26:36 PM EST

He was working with the State Department...


According to Obama's spokesperson. (none / 0) (#36)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:28:47 PM EST

I guess that's a lie that would be quickly (none / 0) (#39)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:31:30 PM EST

demolished. Any denial from the State Department?


No info one way or the other. (none / 0) (#42)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:37:20 PM EST

They confirmed it n/t (none / 0) (#48)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:44:10 PM EST

Source? (none / 0) (#50)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:53:30 PM EST

Besides the AP article that you (none / 0) (#51)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:55:36 PM EST

suggested someone else read?


Obama's campaign spokesperson (none / 0) (#55)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:58:19 PM EST

provided the information to the media. Have you seen anything from the State Dept. about Obama's contacts with anyone in the State Dept. and/or with anyone in Kenya? Latest AP article quotes our Ambassador to Kenya, who says she has been working on this for three days. Who knows?


: There's (none / 0) (#59)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:02:39 PM EST

this...

Oh Oculus... (none / 0) (#53)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:56:55 PM EST

...you and your sources. Next thing you know, you'll be wanting accountabilty in government! :>)


: Its always good to harbor some good ole (none / 0) (#58)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:02:17 PM EST

Midwest skepticism.

you can also (none / 0) (#43)
by Judith on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:38:23 PM EST

take the view that Obama is loved by the GOP so they have no problem with him making his calls.

Anybody who is co opted by the GOP makes me nervous.


Well (none / 0) (#46)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:43:39 PM EST

this might also be important..

"My maternal uncle'

"Barack Obama's father is actually my maternal uncle," said Odinga, who is battling to overturn disputed presidential elections which have plunged Kenya into turmoil. "

His family is there. They like him there. Diplomacy is a good thing. Let's not forget that...


heh (1.00 / 0) (#66)
by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:21:49 PM EST

Nothing like getting involved in tribal politics...

Thought the Left condemned that kind of stuff..

Wait. That's in Iraq.... never mind.


: hehe (none / 0) (#77)
by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:05:44 AM EST

Having watched you insult the US military for years I find your comments odd. As you wrote:

The fact that you don't want to touch (none / 0) (#24)
by Dark Avenger on Wed Sep 12, 2007 at 12:59:30 AM EST
...People will think either I'm crazy or used to be in Naval Aviation, and I don't know which one is worse.

Have you figured out the difference??

not necessarily (none / 0) (#52)
by Judith on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:56:26 PM EST

you have to have some reason why you think you matter - if he was seen as just connected to one side and not an impartial broker then he couldnt help, didnt help, and looks kinda naive.


Except now they're agreeing to talk. See below n/t (none / 0) (#56)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:59:27 PM EST

I updated the post (none / 0) (#57)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:01:37 PM EST

and put that right at the top.


: I just saw that. (none / 0) (#61)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:04:30 PM EST

Hope it works out for the Kenyans. I can't imagine living through that kind of thing. My SO is a teacher and her students just sent/received letters to kids in Kenya and she's concerned that one of the schools (or churches) she saw on the news where kids were killed is the same one that her students' penpals were at.

Uncle and cousin! (none / 0) (#63)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:09:56 PM EST

Odinga told the British Broadcasting Company Tuesday that Obama's late father is his maternal uncle, making them cousins. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said Odinga and Obama's father are from the same Luo tribe, but he isn't aware that they are related.

Bewsday AP


First Pelosi, now Obama. (none / 0) (#10)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:43:52 PM EST

Makes one wonder who these people think they are. A visit or a 5 minute phone call will change a millennia of tribal/ethnic hatred. Right.

Do you have a better suggestion for how to (none / 0) (#11)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:47:15 PM EST

acquire foreign policy experience in a hurry?


"How to acquire foreign policy experience (none / 0) (#20)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:09:08 PM EST

in a hurry."

Sounds like an 3:00AM infomercial on channel 115 - right after an hour of "Girls Gone Wild" and before an hour of "How to get rock hard abs in just 5 minutes."

Sad thing is, we have a sitting US Senator and a Speaker of the House who probably agree with your premise.

Who do these people think they are. Seriously.


SUO (1.00 / 0) (#67)
by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:26:20 PM EST

Who do these people think they are. Seriously.

The question is, who do we think these people are.

Me? I think most of'em are power hungry gas bag.

The rest are gas bags who are power hungry.


Not sure what your next to final (none / 0) (#23)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:13:56 PM EST

sentence means. [I was being snarky anyhow.]


[I was being snarky anyhow.] (none / 0) (#25)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:17:32 PM EST

Thanks. I went back and forth over your comment before I responded and still wasn't quite sure if you were being serious or not.


All the Obama v. Clinton stuff is so (none / 0) (#26)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:18:56 PM EST

predictable, I just can't help myself. Sorry.


: Fari einogh. (none / 0) (#35)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:28:29 PM EST

Looks like it's going to rain.

better to have tried and failed (none / 0) (#14)
by Jlvngstn on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:55:30 PM EST

than to have not tried at all.

Aw heck, that is what got is into Iraq...


: Indeed. And now all the Dem. candidates (none / 0) (#16)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 02:57:04 PM EST

will rush into Pakistan.

He was working with the State Department (none / 0) (#37)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:30:22 PM EST

It's clear more is involved than you suggest.


So tried and failed (none / 0) (#19)
by Jgarza on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:03:45 PM EST

compared to Hillary who has never tried, and hasn't articulated how she would try.

How low will it go?

If we have a president (none / 0) (#22)
by Jgarza on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:11:05 PM EST

willing to try diplomacy, it won't work every time. This is attack is republicans framing, if it fails just once, it is hopeless.

Shame

A president... (5.00 / 0) (#27)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:21:10 PM EST

...willing to try diplomacy? That is such pre-9/11 thinking!

Attack first, ask questions (like how the heck are we going to pay for this) later...


: That's the "change" I'm banking on. (5.00 / 0) (#30)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:23:07 PM EST

: If there is no "later" (1.00 / 0) (#78)
by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 09, 2008 at 07:11:28 AM EST

it really doesn't matter, eh??

"If we have a president . . ." (none / 0) (#24)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:16:15 PM EST

I think Obama should hold off until he is President.


he asked people to meet (none / 0) (#29)
by Jgarza on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:23:02 PM EST

that really isn't foreign policy, sounds more like common sense.


and it sounds (none / 0) (#32)
by Jgarza on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:26:31 PM EST

like he had the blessing of the sec of state. Bush is so desperate he is turning to Barack Obama to help his diplomacy.


: Or the Bush admin. or some of it (none / 0) (#38)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:30:25 PM EST

is gaming the primaries.

Um. This is a bit confusing considering your post. (none / 0) (#41)
by JayR70 on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:33:43 PM EST

"Under U.S. pressure, Kenya's president and his chief rival agreed to talks and made other concessions to end their deadly election dispute."

: Just noted the update (none / 0) (#47)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:43:52 PM EST

and change at the top of my post. Thanks!

Odinga is his uncle? (none / 0) (#54)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 03:57:04 PM EST

I retract everything I said.

yeah (none / 0) (#60)
by Judith on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:02:40 PM EST

not an impartial broker.

I say good on him. His uncle was (none / 0) (#64)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:16:57 PM EST

the hold out.


huh? (none / 0) (#68)
by Judith on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:29:59 PM EST

good on whom?


Obama, for calling his uncle. Yes, I (none / 0) (#70)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:37:15 PM EST

changed my mind. I was not in favor of an officious inter meddler acting w/o State Dept. sanction.


: ok (none / 0) (#73)
by Judith on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 05:02:31 PM EST

fine with me

oculus, they both were "hold outs." No? (none / 0) (#71)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:44:28 PM EST

Odinga's spokesman, Salim Lone, said Odinga will meet with Kibaki, as long as the meeting is part of the mediation process with African Union chairman John Kufuor, the Ghanaian president. Kufuor's trip to Kenya had been delayed repeatedly as the government [Kibaki] rejected outside mediation in the disputed vote, but was to begin talks in the capital as early as Wednesday.
Frazer had won an offer from Kibaki to form a unity government over the weekend. Odinga then said he was willing to drop demands that Kibaki resign and was willing to discuss sharing power, but only through a mediator empowered to negotiate an agreement that the international community would guarantee.

Kibaki then backed down from his rejection of the mediator.


: Looks like it. (none / 0) (#74)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 05:42:13 PM EST

Am I missing something, (none / 0) (#65)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:18:59 PM EST

or were the two sides at an impasse in even meeting for talks because Odinga wanted an international mediator and Kibaki didn't. Odinga then reiterated this to Obama when Obama called. Some time after the call, Kibaki agreed to a mediator.

Did Obama have a part in Kibaki's decision to compromise on the mediator? If so, kudos to him.

: Per Newsday AP: (none / 0) (#69)
by oculus on Tue Jan 08, 2008 at 04:32:32 PM EST

He spoke to Odinga for about five minutes Monday before going into a rally in Lebanon, N.H., and was trying to reach Kibaki Tuesday as New Hampshire voters went to the polls.

Amnesty International's Day of Action for Kenya (none / 0) (#80)
by aiuan on Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 02:13:49 PM EST

On February 27, people around the world are reaching out for Kenya to call for an end to the violence and protect all Kenyans' human rights. Amnesty International is holding demonstrations in cities around the world from Washington, DC, to Kampala. We want Kenyans to know we stand with them, so we have started a Reach Out for Kenya Facebook group and Flickr.com page for photos and messages from our members to Kenyans. Please take a minute to post messages of solidarity and hope for those who are suffering in Kenya. Check out AI's blog at http://blogs.amnestyusa.org/urgentaction

Check out Amnesty International USA's Kenya page to learn more: http://www.amnestyusa.org/By_Country/Kenya/page.do?id=1011181&n1=3&n2=30&n3=931