McFarlane was apparently contracted by the Sudanese government (for a salary of $410,400 channeled through Qatar) to lobby officials in the Obama administration to improve the relationship between the two. He "dismisses suggestions that he has done anything improper, saying he has adhered to U.S. restrictions while focusing on his work to unify feuding tribal leaders and help create jobs in Darfur". I'm not sure if McFarlane is acting on behalf of the Sudanese government or not, but it definitely appears that way from the article:
"What followed was a month-long exchange
of e-mails and documents between McFarlane and Babiker (a Sudanese diplomat), culminating with McFarlane's contract with Qatar. Sudanese officials asked McFarlane to approach four former U.S. diplomats to ask whether they were interested in assisting in the effort; a proposed budget set aside $100,000 a month to pay them." Looks like a pretty obvious attempt by the Sudanese government to bribe U.S. officials for political support. Gration's plan to ease sanctions on the Khartoum regime seems to be an act that will support a corrupt government led by a convicted war-criminal.
5 comments:
Nothing new beneath the sun.
A terrible, terrible shame. Well, like I said earlier, they're just Africans, I mean, what good are they to us? Remember, the US is only interested in a foreign country's affairs if they can benefit us one way or another. It's a sick, hypocritical foreign policy but I'm just wasting my breath. I'm just another American with yet another opinion. Who cares right?
Drew's right, the real thing you should ask yourself is if you're really that surprised. The US is corrupt and greedy...
Nope, can't really think of a time where we haven't been. Even the revolution was started because we didn't want to pay, I mean can we really sit here and go "shame on you!" When every other politician does the same sort of thing. Yeah it's bad but there isn't much we can do short of an angry mob which I would be all for. We really don't seem to have enough angry mobs anymore. Either we're less angry, or people are just starting to care less about the dumb stuff our government does.
I totally agree with you on the bribery attempt Liza but with regards to McFarlane being contracted.....it looks a little more on the fishy side. I Believe that the sum of money is actually too small to be a pull for McFarlane. $410,000 of course is A LOT of cash but if you were the former National Security Adviser it would not really appeal considering the consequences of being convicted for possible treason. On average for McFarlane's job status, his salary would be about $153,000 a year (found on the Washington Post). Now, he could either keep the money from the Sudanese government and be discovered as he could very possibly have been now, or refuse the money and keep his name, current salary, and stay out of jail. At least for me, I could not take the more vice-ridden option but who truly knows what McFarlane chose or didn't choose? As the smoke clears answers will come available and then we will know.
Also, I feel like McFarlane would be doing a good thing to improve relations between the U.S. and Sudanese governments so long as it was done properly and diplomatically.
And to Drew's comment: they are not just Africans, they are human beings. Their government treats them like crap so as a more developed country it should be our duty to set the example and help where we can. Put yourself in their shoes Drew, running from the fear of the Janjaweed, saving your dearth resources, and having to cross dangerous terrain without shoes or many clothes.
I met a lost boy of Sudan last year who escaped the Janjaweed and went to Santa Clara University for an education. If you saw how that man's face contorted in pain when he talked about his struggle you would not be thinking "oh, they are just Africans."
Respectfully,
Seth Klebe
I completely agree with you Seth, but to be fare to Drew I think he was being...satirical? sarcastic? I believe it was a mocking tone. Too much English vocab...
and that must have been amazing to meet a lost boy of Sudan. STAND club invited a native of Darfur to speak at Aragon in a few weeks, definitely check it out of you're interested.
Oh, and hopefully McFarlane wasn't that idiotic, but politicians have been bribed for a lot less.
haha my bad Drew if you were being sarcastic; I simply couldn't tell if you were being serious or not. Either way however, what I wrote still highlights the issues of how Sudanese refugees and people are going through terrible travesties and hardships every single day.
Post a Comment