Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFormer Secretary of State Powell speaks of country's reputation
By John Hill
Posted: 10/20/05, 3:00 AM EST Section: News
BUFFALO - Several Syracuse University students got the opportunity to hear former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell speak on the United States' reputation at the University at Buffalo.
Powell said in a speech Wednesday night at the UB that he believes the United States' status in the world is still positive and the nation still has many friends worldwide, contrary to what people might see in the media.
Powell, speaking to a full house at the University of Buffalo's Alumni Arena, was generally positive about the United States' standing in the world, but he also recognized some mistakes made during his tenure in the State Department, most notably the way that Iraq was handled following the fall of Baghdad.
While he said he hopes the number of troops in Iraq can be reduced in the near future, he added that the United States should have brought in more troops to exert more control in the months after the fall of Baghdad.
"But we are where we are," Powell said. "We have to stay the course."
The country's former top diplomat pointed to recent cooperation with formerly hostile communist nations Russia and China as evidence of the continued strength of America's influence. He said other nations are still willing to work with the United States.
"The world still trusts us," Powell said. "We have never gone after somebody to take their land or sovereignty."
Powell said he believes the key to defeating anti-American sentiment is to make sure the United States remains open and free. Some adjustments that were made to secure the borders in the months following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks had a negative effect on foreign travel, especially among foreign college students. However, the foreign visitors to the United States bring positive feelings about the back to their own countries, helping the nation's image.
"The best way to make sure that (terrorists) don't win is to make sure that we don't change," Powell said.
Seven members of the SU College Republicans attended the speech with a group of students from Lemoyne College.
Powell said in a speech Wednesday night at the UB that he believes the United States' status in the world is still positive and the nation still has many friends worldwide, contrary to what people might see in the media.
Powell, speaking to a full house at the University of Buffalo's Alumni Arena, was generally positive about the United States' standing in the world, but he also recognized some mistakes made during his tenure in the State Department, most notably the way that Iraq was handled following the fall of Baghdad.
While he said he hopes the number of troops in Iraq can be reduced in the near future, he added that the United States should have brought in more troops to exert more control in the months after the fall of Baghdad.
"But we are where we are," Powell said. "We have to stay the course."
The country's former top diplomat pointed to recent cooperation with formerly hostile communist nations Russia and China as evidence of the continued strength of America's influence. He said other nations are still willing to work with the United States.
"The world still trusts us," Powell said. "We have never gone after somebody to take their land or sovereignty."
Powell said he believes the key to defeating anti-American sentiment is to make sure the United States remains open and free. Some adjustments that were made to secure the borders in the months following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks had a negative effect on foreign travel, especially among foreign college students. However, the foreign visitors to the United States bring positive feelings about the back to their own countries, helping the nation's image.
"The best way to make sure that (terrorists) don't win is to make sure that we don't change," Powell said.
Seven members of the SU College Republicans attended the speech with a group of students from Lemoyne College.
