President Bush too busy

to discuss Joint Commission

Report with General LaJoie

 

   The five year summary of work done by the Joint Commission was finalized not long ago. U.S. Joint Commission Chairman General Roland LaJoie wanted to present the report to President Bush, and perhaps discuss with the President some of the challenges facing the commission in its effort to investigate the reported transfer of American POWs to the former Soviet Union.

 

     As we understand it, General LaJoie received a letter from Steve Hadley, Deputy National Security Advisor, saying essentially, “Thanks, but the President is too busy to meet with you.” General LaJoie then presented the report up the chain of command within DoD, and also to the State Department.

 

     If the President has time to host a T-ball game for children on the White House lawn, visit churches around the country, and throw baseball pitches onto the field, he should certainly be able to find a few minutes to discuss with General LaJoie the reported transfer of American servicemen to Soviet gulags.

 

     We heard campaign promises that the POW/MIA issue would enjoy a high priority with this president, and we have received numerous similar assurances since the election from officials down the chain. We have not, however, seen any concrete action or policies in furtherance of those promises and assurances.

 

     While we would have been delighted to see indications of a pro-active interest in the issue early on by this administration, it is, perhaps, still too soon to throw up our hands in despair that we will be subjected to another four-years of Clintonesque treatment. It is not, however, too soon to express concern that we have seen no involvement by the President, nor the slightest reference to the issue in any of his publicized foreign policy initiatives.

 

     Promises can evolve into action taken, or they can deteriorate into lip service. We are waiting with growing impatience to see some leadership.