Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell on Thursday urged caution in the United States’ efforts to impose sanctions on Russia, noting the possible actions that President Vladimir Putin may take in return on the U.S. KSMU’s Scott Harvey has more on Powell’s visit to Springfield.
http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/general-powell-condemn-russia-focus-ukraine_80174.mp3
Powell says the U.S. and its European allies have several business interests in the Russian Federation that can be used against us, mentioning services like U.S. research facilities and technical centers in Russia, plus Russian companies under United States’ supervision that make products for U.S. consumers.
“So this is a time for us to sort of be cautions, respond to the provocation – condemn it, because it is deserving to be condemned – but at the same time try to find a principled, diplomatic and economic solution to this problem,” Powell said.
Powell, who rose to the rank of four-star general in the U.S. Army and served as secretary of state under President George W. Bush, addressed reporters in Springfield Thursday ahead of his keynote address at Missouri State University’s Spring Public Affairs Convocation.
Powell’s remarks came just hours after the United States and Russia exchanged sanctions against one another, both imposing financial sanctions and travel bans on top government officials.
He said while the international community’s opposition to Russia for their annexation of Crimea is just, Powell feels the more pressing issue is Ukraine itself.
“To make sure that we can help them put in place a Democratic form of government and one that is representative of the people and one that can build an economy in a non-corrupt manner that is based on the rule of law.”
Powell served as secretary of state during the Orange Revolution 10 years ago, when protests erupted in Ukraine following a presidential run-off vote believed to be tainted by corruption.
Powell’s speech at MSU Thursday was titled Global Perspectives: Why it Matters, to which he said about Ukraine that we should be concerned anytime liberty is taken away from a country.
Speaking on a student point of view, Powell said there is no longer an alternative; a global perspective is vital to achieving success.
“Young people coming along and getting an education in college have to learn that they’re gonna be participating and contributing into a world that is a… no longer the red and blue side of the map but one great mosaic. And they gotta find their place in that mosaic,” Powell said.
He added that global perspective means showing tolerance, adaptability, and an understanding of the diversity of views of other people, places and cultures.