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PAGE 12
PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JULY 12, 1985
A. Of course, that applies to the Middle East, probably to a lot
of Latin American countries and to a certain number of African
countries. There, the hatred of America's power and the feeling
that it epitomizes the more-corrupt and brutal side of the West
is paramount.
Q. Is that.portrait justified?
A. If you look back over the whole of history, you can't come
across any other leading power--with the possible exception of
Britain in the 19th century--which has exercised its power in the
world in such an unselfish, prudent and sensible manner as
America has over the past 40 years.
Q. Why doesn't much of the world see America in that light?
A. Partly,
.!
think, because the America projected _eY its own
media is not favorable. Take the image of the CIA: What many
American newspapers, magazines and television networks project is
a kind of worldwide conspiracy by the CIA. I think that is one
reason why American aircraft get hijacked and American citizens
get kidnapped--because this false image of America is actually
believed by humble, ordinary people out there.
Q. Is there anything the U.S. might do to counter these negative
feelings?
A. The worst thing is to S2 around asking to be loved. That in
vites contempt. The best thing Americans can do is do what they
believe right, do it firmly and above all do it quietly without a
lot of shouting and arguing. The hate el€ment doesn't come to
the surface when America is acting�ongly. It comes
.EE
wheri
America appears to be weak and indecisive.
The point made by Mr. Johnson about the media and the CIA is especially
critical. The July 14, 1985 AIM REPORT newsletter (published by Accuracy
in Media) pointed out the connection between a recent story in the WASHING
TON POST and the TWA hijacking. The POST had attributed a car-bombing inci
dent in the Beirut suburb of Bir al Abed, which killed 80 Shiite Moslems, to
a counter-insurgency unit trained and supported by the CIA. When the TWA
hijackers murdered Navy diver Robert Stethem, one of the murderers was
heard to say, in an answer as to why he did it: "Did you forget the Bir al
Abed massacre?"
Thus the unsubstantiated POST story (which infuriated
State Department officials) had possibly put American lives in the Middle
East in jeopardy.
Regardless of the exact causes for each incident, America is hated more and
more. Her enemies express "quiet glee" at the least, open denunciation and
reviling at worst. The passages in Lamentations 1:17, 2:2-3, 13, 15 and
3:46 come to mind, perhaps best summarized in chapter 1:2: "Among all her
lovers she has none to comfort her� all her friends have dealt treacher
ously with her, they have become her enemies" (RSV).
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau
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