Donald Trump’s TV attorney Rudy Giuliani spoke to the former Ukrainian officials and came up with a very negative opinion on Marie Yovanovitch, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. They told Giuliani that she was a straight arrow an expert in working in troubled locations. But he would hinder Giuliaini in his goal. Finally, Yovanovitch is able to speak out.
After working for the State Department for almost 34 years, she decided to step down. That meant she was free to tell her story. She began by writing an op-ed for The Washington Post.
She came to the U.S. with her parents escaping a destroyed Europe for a better life, a strong Democracy where “freedom was cherished and dissent protected.” The ambassador noted that “These are treasures that must be carefully guarded by all who call themselves Americans.’
The ambassador told us why she was writing: to answer the question so many have asked: What do the events of the past year mean for our country’s future?’ She began by describing dictatorships:
‘I have seen dictatorships around the world, where blind obedience is the norm and truth-tellers are threatened with punishment or death. We must not allow the United States to become a country where standing up to our government is a dangerous act. It has been shocking to experience the storm of criticism, lies and malicious conspiracies that have preceded and followed my public testimony, but I have no regrets. I did — we did — what our conscience called us to do. We did what the gift of U.S. citizenship requires us to do.’
Then, Yovanovitch said that now Americans must fight for our democracy:
‘”Freedom is not free” is a pithy phrase that usually refers to the sacrifices of our military against external threats. It turns out that same slogan can be applied to challenges which are closer to home. We need to stand up for our values, defend our institutions, participate in civil society and support a free press. Every citizen doesn’t need to do everything, but each one of us can do one thing. And every day, I see American citizens around me doing just that: reanimating the Constitution and the values it represents. We do this even when the odds seem against us, even when wrongdoers seem to be rewarded, because it is the right thing to do.’
She pointed out that she believed American’s institutions “would forever protect us:”
‘I had always thought that our institutions would forever protect us against individual transgressors. But it turns out that our institutions need us as much as we need them; they need the American people to protect them or they will be hollowed out over time, unable to serve and protect our country.’
Then, Yovonvitch added, that only works under certain circumstances:
‘The State Department is filled with individuals of integrity and professionalism. They advance U.S. interests every day — whether they are repatriating Americans vulnerable to a pandemic, reporting on civil unrest, negotiating military basing rights or helping a U.S. company navigate a foreign country. As new powers rise, alliances fray, and transnational threats require international solutions, our diplomats are more than ready to address these challenges.’
The former ambassador noted that the nation needed “ethical political leadership:’
‘But our public servants need responsible and ethical political leadership. This administration, through acts of omission and commission, has undermined our democratic institutions, making the public question the truth and leaving public servants without the support and example of ethical behavior that they need to do their jobs and advance U.S. interests.”
She noted that “the next generation of diplomats is counting on something better:
‘The next generation of diplomats is counting on something better. Our newest diplomats fill me with hope. They are smart, motivated and idealistic — and yet realistic about the unprecedented challenges facing the United States. While it is bittersweet to retire from a job that I love, I know there is a new generation of experts who will advance our interests in an increasingly dangerous world.’
She continued, reminded the country about the hope for the future:
‘This Feb. 14, the newest class of diplomats will swear an oath, to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”; and “bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”’
On Valentine’s Day, the latest crop of diplomats with swear their promise:
‘[To] support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic [and] bear true faith and allegiance to the same.’
Yet, Yovanvitch added that trying times will not stop Americans:
‘These are turbulent times, perhaps the most challenging that I have witnessed. But I still intend to find ways to engage on foreign policy issues and to encourage those who want to take part in the important work of the Foreign Service. Like my parents before me, I remain optimistic about our future. The events of the past year, while deeply disturbing, show that even though our institutions and our fellow citizens are being challenged in ways that few of us ever expected, we will endure, we will persist and we will prevail.’
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
