Idealism is a mix of pragmatism, optimism and hope

Perhaps I have been watching too much West Wing lately. I know I’ve always been classified as an idealist and the fictional world of the television series has done little to change this perspective. For those who are rusty on this show or never caught onto the craze, let me explain what I’m talking about. President Bartlett and his staff are confronted with serious world issues such as preventing war between China and Taiwan or dealing with U.S. agent captured by Columbian rebels.

The reason this has been on my mind is that on Monday the chief prosecutor of International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced that he would be asking the judges at the Hague to issue an indictment of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for ten counts including three counts of genocide.

In response two major things have happened:

1) The National Congress Party has threatened an increase of violence if the pursuit for an indictment of Bashir continues.

For a government that claims to no longer be directly connected to the operations of the Janjaweed militia directly responsible for the acts of murder and to rhetorically claim to be committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the Darfur crisis, this seems to be an awfully contradictory statement. Roughly translated the National Congress Party stated, “We are innocent, but if efforts to indict our leader continue, we will increase the violence. Did we say increase… well we’re innocent!”

This tacit admission of guilt is not what shocks me the most, but that such a statement is responded to with vague, weak calls for “sides to remain calm in the wake of this decision” (White Press Secretary Dana Perino).

2) The United Nations African United Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has decided to relocate non-essential personnel temporarily in response to the greater security risk in Darfur.

I cannot express the respect I have for the individuals who have volunteered to join this unprecedented peace keeping force. Risking your life to serve your country is admirable, but risking your life to protect civilians in another country for the cause of peace, transcending national allegiance, is beyond heroic.

Therefore after some thought I respect the decision of the United Nations to relocate non-essentials in the aftermath of last week’s attack on UNAMID forces resulting in the death of seven peacekeepers, but I still have to disagree with it. Regarding the current situation, more must be done to protect and equip the current peacekeepers while boosting the overall number of peacekeepers.

The danger these brave soldiers are in is alarming, but in the face of security risks and threats after Monday’s ICC announcement now is not the time to weaken the already undermanned and underequipped force with the withdrawal of personnel. A strong presence needs to be maintained to attempt to ward office further violence against the civilians of Darfur and the peacekeepers themselves. The relocation may be seen as a sign that when the big bad NCP wolf blows, the United Nations house is built of sticks not bricks.

My mention of the West Wing is not to argue that things can be wrapped neatly as they would be in a 45 minute episode of a fictional work, but to express the disappointment that when a clear victory for both peace AND justice is accomplished world leaders cannot even muster the conviction to do what is needed in stark contrast of a fictional character. In the West Wing, episodes often ended with President Bartlett or a member of his staff making a strong statement eloquently and passionately expressing both morality and pragmatism.

I believe idealism can be a mix of pragmatism, optimism and hope.

Thus far the only world leader to make a statement in support of Mr. Moreno-Ocampo’s work was the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner along the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The lack of accompanying strong statements by other world leaders has been due to the argument of a handful of experts who believe they have a monopoly on pragmatism. These critics argue that Bashir and the NCP will become increasingly uncooperative if the call for an indictment continues which may in turn jeopardize peacekeeping, humanitarian and diplomatic operations in Darfur.

I agree with John Norris of the ENOUGH Project who said, “with more than 300,000 dead and millions displaced in Darfur, it is shocking that these charges are even remotely controversial. President Bashir has orchestrated the Darfur tragedy from day one, and any efforts to sweep his actions under the rug are both shameful and counterproductive.”

The international community is quickly losing an opportunity to turn the tide and earnestly work toward peace in Darfur AND justice for the crime of genocide. The idealistic pursuit of justice can and must work hand in hand with the pragmatic pursuit of negotiated peace. For justice to mean anything the international community must support the work of the chief prosecutor. Despite the fact that the United States has not signed onto or ratified the ICC, President Bush must show his support for justice in Sudan in order to preserve the work his administration has done on Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the effort to achieve Darfur peace.

By stepping up in support of justice, the pressure will be placed squarely on where pressure is deserved, President Bashir. He will then have the choice to cooperate with peace or suffer further isolation both internationally and domestically as his direct involvement in the genocide is further revealed. If obstructionism continues, Sudan will become even more of a pariah state leaving the people of Sudan to decide: violence and isolation with Bashir or peace and international acceptance without him.

If the international community continues to send mixed messages, back peddle and appease the work of Moreno-Ocampo will mean nothing, Bashir will go on orchestrating mass murder with impunity. The situation may not be quite as ideal as what may be seen in an episode of the West Wing, but we’ve been presented with a turning point and must seize the opportunity.

If we want peace, we need justice.