Powell’s Vibrant Exit
By the Editor

AS was being envisioned—the US Secretary of State Colin Powell—has tendered his resignation from his exalted status with the advent of the second term of President George W Bush in the White House—following his re-election in the November-2 polls.

President Bush has accepted his resignation and has nominated his much-trusted national security adviser Condoleezza Rice for the apex and vital slot. Three more secretaries of Bush administration—including Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage—have also resigned.

If analyzed pragmatically—Collin Powell’s resignation has caused no surprise. He had already indicated to leave the job after the worldwide ridicule that he had to face as an upshot to the CIA’s fabrication of the report vis-à-vis WMDs presence in Iraq on which he had built his case in the UN Security Council to justify US attack on Baghdad.

Even otherwise, Powell was a misfit amongst the hawks and neo-cons in the US Cabinet, since he represented—a dignified and moderate face of the Bush administration—and was thus at odds with people like Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleezza Rice.

Powell was, in fact, under great stress and strain over the past two years since he has to act, most of time, against his conscience.

As a matter of fact, with his exit, the world has lost a man of integrity, dignity and moderation—at the helm of affairs in the United States.

Pakistan has certainly lost a good friend in the Bush administration due to his resignation. It’s obviously premature to infer that the departure of Colin Powell, three more Cabinet secretaries and some other officials known for their moderation and objectivity will mark US foreign policy’s drift towards a greater hard line tendency.

Yet the track record of extremists and neo-cons in the US Cabinet, who continue to be in the saddle, doesn’t hold much hope for the world in general and the Muslims in particular—although the US Presidents are usually more realistic—in their second term and wish to leave a positive legacy behind.

Let’s pray for—the world—to be a safer place to live during the next four years of Bush’s presidency as there has been enough of turmoil, insecurity and bloodshed in the world in his first-one.

The international community looks forward to a US role in President Bush’s second term that leads to the creation of an atmosphere of peace, security and coexistence in the comity of nations.

The concept of might is right—by all perceptions—needs to be eschewed as it’s incompatible with the overtones of the 21st century epoch.

At the same time, we feel optimistic that Condoleezza Rice shall—opt for a judicious approach on global issues—explicitly the scenario in South Asia.

As an erudite lady—who has an all-out back-up of President Bush—shall get injected into her heart and soul that pragmatic outlook—hallmarked by equilibrium—is the solo icon of success on such a gigantic assignment and this the only way which open vistas—for a fabulous triumph in every aspect of ones’ life.

With such a frame of mind, the hawkish Rice shall have to abandon her ‘love or leaning’ towards a specific country—as, prima facie she is known for atypical adore for India, a country which is callously violating human rights in the forcibly-held part of the Himalayan State of Jammu & Kashmir.

We feel optimistic that glittering Condoleezza Rice would not only meet the truthful expectations of a peace-loving world—but would also shield—from all types of discomfitures—not only her own nation, but exclusively the US President, who is already faced with a lot of challenges—the world-over.

Isn’t it an accurate, logical, sane and rational plea Ms Condoleezza Rice?●