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Powell Says Information Technology Will Spread Democracy
Nick Simeone, Voice of America WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Colin Powell says the information and technology revolution that helped end the Cold War is irresistible and will eventually bring pro-democratic change to other countries including Iran and Iraq. The retired general believes governments that resist satellite television and the internet will eventually go the way of the Soviet Union. Secretary Powell told American diplomats around the world Thursday the explosion of information and technology is doing more to bring about political change and openness than old fashioned diplomacy. "Anywhere in the world that you can get a satellite dish that can look up at the right angle, you have changed that part of the world because knowledge, information and culture will come down," he said. "I'm absolutely persuaded in the transforming nature of this new technology and what it's going to do to the world." His comments suggest he considers cutting edge technology to be one of America's strongest diplomatic tools for shaping world opinion and that governments that don't embrace the internet and satellite television do so at their own risk. "And by the way, you better get on it quickly because your kids are all watching MTV," he said. This was his first address to much of the American foreign policy establishment since he was sworn in as Secretary of State. The former general, who can command as much as $50,000 for a single speech, was given a standing ovation when he told employees he intends to bring the same technology that is changing the world to the State Department. He envisions embassies around the world being able to communicate with each other securely over the internet, and may even bring in some titans in the information industry including America Online chairman Steve Case to help him do so.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
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