Keynez
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 12, 2007
- 2,405
- 3,889
Tundu Lissu's situation is a very sensitive matter, don't let others fool you into thinking that it is not. We are now walking in unchartered territory.
If Lissu was Chinese or Iranian, chances are high that he would've been received in Washington with a heroes welcome.
For a high profile politician like Lissu who just survived a serious attempt on his life to go to a high profile American university and be relegated to a mere classroom of hardly 30 people is a serious statement that some historian somewhere has noted down. Someone somewhere has also certainly appreciated that American gratitude! I can't help but to wonder what he is prepared to give them in return to show his appreciation.
To attentive eyes, Lissu's low key reception in Washington also reveals the importance of our stability to their interests.
Some of us, silent political analysts that is, have always been intrigued by the relationship between these two countries. I remember there is one thread I made years ago asking if this relationship is sort of Machiavellian. That is, two parties that don't really trust each other but have learned to use one another in a way that makes both parties happy but the mistrust is always there. There hasn't been a single person to expose this relationship for what it really is.
I am sure privately, American officials are expressing to Mr. Lissu how 'hurt' they are with his situation. They are probably trying not to cause any diplomatic rift with Tanzania, considering Tanzania had no problem kicking out the EU ambassador few months ago.
But to some of us their silence to this matter is not a mystery. Mr. Lissu has to promise them something bigger than they are receiving now from Tanzania if they are to say and do anything. Too bad the cold war is over and there is no Soviet Union to use as a bait against the Americans.
For some time, in my personal opinion I believe Lissu has been making some serious tactical and strategic mistakes. Now that he is caught between a rock and a hard place, it isn't going to be easier.
Lissu means well and he is certainly a very brave man. We should feel lucky to live in his lifetime and to witness the birth of a legend. If he can surround himself with very smart people, there is hope that history is going to favor him.
Mwalimu Nyerere once asked, "Watanzania, who is your uncle?" At the moment, it depends on which side on the curr8ent political climate you are on.
If Lissu was Chinese or Iranian, chances are high that he would've been received in Washington with a heroes welcome.
For a high profile politician like Lissu who just survived a serious attempt on his life to go to a high profile American university and be relegated to a mere classroom of hardly 30 people is a serious statement that some historian somewhere has noted down. Someone somewhere has also certainly appreciated that American gratitude! I can't help but to wonder what he is prepared to give them in return to show his appreciation.
To attentive eyes, Lissu's low key reception in Washington also reveals the importance of our stability to their interests.
Some of us, silent political analysts that is, have always been intrigued by the relationship between these two countries. I remember there is one thread I made years ago asking if this relationship is sort of Machiavellian. That is, two parties that don't really trust each other but have learned to use one another in a way that makes both parties happy but the mistrust is always there. There hasn't been a single person to expose this relationship for what it really is.
I am sure privately, American officials are expressing to Mr. Lissu how 'hurt' they are with his situation. They are probably trying not to cause any diplomatic rift with Tanzania, considering Tanzania had no problem kicking out the EU ambassador few months ago.
But to some of us their silence to this matter is not a mystery. Mr. Lissu has to promise them something bigger than they are receiving now from Tanzania if they are to say and do anything. Too bad the cold war is over and there is no Soviet Union to use as a bait against the Americans.
For some time, in my personal opinion I believe Lissu has been making some serious tactical and strategic mistakes. Now that he is caught between a rock and a hard place, it isn't going to be easier.
Lissu means well and he is certainly a very brave man. We should feel lucky to live in his lifetime and to witness the birth of a legend. If he can surround himself with very smart people, there is hope that history is going to favor him.
Mwalimu Nyerere once asked, "Watanzania, who is your uncle?" At the moment, it depends on which side on the curr8ent political climate you are on.