A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Thursday, July 27, 2017
Great Things Can Happen and Not Just for America
President Trump lives up to promises made. He maintains his support for more balanced trade relations and the requirement for all nations to pay a fair contribution for the benefits they obtain from the United States.
( July 26, 2017, Washington DC, Sri Lanka Guardian) When
President Trump attended the G20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany, the
aspects publicly reported were mainly uncontrolled demonstrators,
burning Porsche cars and police at the end of their rope. Few benefits
were attributed to the meeting. That is incorrect.
A longer term, all embracing perspective shows important progress.
Traditionally, Europeans and their media undertake little effort to
learn and contemplate about US plans, visions, and constraints. It’s
like they are measuring in meters while we measure in yards which can
lead to bias and error. The 10% difference might not appear large, but
it sure matters in the long run.
U.S presidents tend to be attacked on a global scale for their thinking
on trade, investments, collaboration, and innovation. Many
misunderstandings emanate from differences in context and background.
Meetings offer opportunities to clarify, explain, and build consensus.
President Trump reflects U.S. leadership when raising the need for
greater circumspection in trade, investment, and defense. No longer can
there be continuous special flows of funds and privileges from the
United States to Europe. Times have changed and Europe has the privilege
and obligation to stand on its own.
In preparation for Germany’s September election, Chancellor Angela
Merkel seeks to claim a leadership vision when she warns that Europe may
need to assume responsibility for its own fate. Such a leitmotiv
invokes belated and hollow comparisons to the past due to a lack of
commitment. It also bypasses progress due to a lack of implementation
for the future. Aside from Trump’s comments, both exploratory and
forward moving, little else from the G20 meeting was long term, silo
busting, or innovative.
Trump has explained before that he does his best work one on one with
leaders, rather than in a consortium. This was demonstrated by the
improved mutual relations between the United States and France. In the
past, ties often have been strained. Now President Trump has developed a
new rapport with President Macron with new steps to help develop a
relationship in which trade and investments and joint intentions can
prosper.
The French President worked his way through the crowd of international
leaders to ensure his position next to Trump. The two shared a firm
handshake and a hug and a smile, proving President Trump might have a
way with the French after all.
There also was the ceasefire in Syria, a major win for Trump. Earlier,
attempts to create peace in the bombed-out nation failed. Now we seem to
have a working cease-fire agreement. The atrocities that have infected
Syria for the past years have diminished. In fact, groups have rested
their weapons.
This could be one of Trumps biggest achievements in the first year of
his presidency. This peace-treaty, if it holds, is not only a pat on the
back for the US, but will improve all global relationships.
The Trump approach aims to shape the future both of economies and
countries. It sets far-ranging priorities, in which partners with good
intentions rectifications and recognizes their responsibilities and lead
in their implementation both spiritually and financially. They also
accept rectifications made necessary by shifts.Government based on
responsibility is not always fun to implement. By contrast, Europeans
are much more transaction-oriented and opaque.
President Trump lives up to promises made. He maintains his support for
more balanced trade relations and the requirement for all nations to pay
a fair contribution for the benefits they obtain from the United
States. He also aims to change formerly strained relationships to
flourishing ones, not only for the benefit of international trade but
for the viable maintenance and success for spheres of interest.
Change links new thinking, a new context, improved approaches, and
incorporation of new parameters into newly structured partnerships. That
is good and long overdue in an era of boiling liquids just below the
surface. Relationships that are rigidly frozen cannot last. It is time
for the emergence of new bonds and new trust bridges, which substitute
for prejudice, uninformed claims, and rabble rousing. There is also no
longer room for failed treaties. Progressive positive relationships are
upon us.
Michael Czinkota is
a Professor of International Business and Trade at Georgetown
University, Washington, DC, U.S. and University of Kent, Canterbury, UK –
http://www.faculty.msb.edu/index.htm
http://www.twitter.com/#!/michaelczinkota
http://www.facebook.com/169628456631