good afternoon so in the summer of 1993 I was sitting at my desk in the
I was sitting at my desk in the
I was sitting at my desk in the legislative office building here in
legislative office building here in
legislative office building here in Albany New York working for the New York
Albany New York working for the New York
Albany New York working for the New York State Senate and I got a call out of the
State Senate and I got a call out of the
State Senate and I got a call out of the blue asking if I would be interested in
blue asking if I would be interested in
blue asking if I would be interested in going to the Republic of Congo to be an
going to the Republic of Congo to be an
going to the Republic of Congo to be an election observer I’d never been to the
election observer I’d never been to the
election observer I’d never been to the Republic of Congo I’d lived in North
Republic of Congo I’d lived in North
Republic of Congo I’d lived in North Africa for a while but that’s a long
Africa for a while but that’s a long
Africa for a while but that’s a long ways from Congo and I’d never been an
ways from Congo and I’d never been an
ways from Congo and I’d never been an election observer but I was interested
election observer but I was interested
election observer but I was interested in this not just because it was
in this not just because it was
in this not just because it was something wildly different but I was
something wildly different but I was
something wildly different but I was interested in it also because it was a
interested in it also because it was a
interested in it also because it was a time when this history was unfolding
time when this history was unfolding
time when this history was unfolding when the Cold War had ended when
when the Cold War had ended when
when the Cold War had ended when elections seemed to be in democracy was
elections seemed to be in democracy was
elections seemed to be in democracy was breaking out all over at least so it
breaking out all over at least so it
breaking out all over at least so it seemed that as the scholar Francis
seemed that as the scholar Francis
seemed that as the scholar Francis Fukuyama said it was the end of history
Fukuyama said it was the end of history
Fukuyama said it was the end of history it was the triumph of liberal democracy
it was the triumph of liberal democracy
it was the triumph of liberal democracy at the end of this long Twilight
at the end of this long Twilight
at the end of this long Twilight Struggle of the Cold War and so there
Struggle of the Cold War and so there
Struggle of the Cold War and so there were elections happening all over the
were elections happening all over the
were elections happening all over the place and there were election observers
place and there were election observers
place and there were election observers going all over the place to make sure
going all over the place to make sure
going all over the place to make sure that these elections were somehow free
that these elections were somehow free
that these elections were somehow free and fair and so now I had an opportunity
and fair and so now I had an opportunity
and fair and so now I had an opportunity to do this so I went to talk to my boss
to do this so I went to talk to my boss
to do this so I went to talk to my boss the senator and asked him for some time
the senator and asked him for some time
the senator and asked him for some time off he was very supportive he also noted
off he was very supportive he also noted
off he was very supportive he also noted that it was probably the most unusual
that it was probably the most unusual
that it was probably the most unusual request for time off that he’d ever
request for time off that he’d ever
request for time off that he’d ever gotten to go to Congo and so I was on my
gotten to go to Congo and so I was on my
gotten to go to Congo and so I was on my way the next day I was in Washington for
way the next day I was in Washington for
way the next day I was in Washington for briefings about our mission as election
briefings about our mission as election
briefings about our mission as election observers and the sorts of things that
observers and the sorts of things that
observers and the sorts of things that we are going to be doing but the things
we are going to be doing but the things
we are going to be doing but the things that we shouldn’t do that we shouldn’t
that we shouldn’t do that we shouldn’t
that we shouldn’t do that we shouldn’t meddle in the process we shouldn’t
meddle in the process we shouldn’t
meddle in the process we shouldn’t insert ourselves ourselves in Congolese
insert ourselves ourselves in Congolese
insert ourselves ourselves in Congolese politics we were there to observe and
politics we were there to observe and
politics we were there to observe and observe only that night I was on a plane
observe only that night I was on a plane
observe only that night I was on a plane across the Atlantic and after transfers
across the Atlantic and after transfers
across the Atlantic and after transfers and several stops and refuelings finally
and several stops and refuelings finally
and several stops and refuelings finally landed in the capital of brazo Ville
landed in the capital of brazo Ville
landed in the capital of brazo Ville where I spent a couple days with the
where I spent a couple days with the
where I spent a couple days with the whole team of observers being briefed on
whole team of observers being briefed on
whole team of observers being briefed on Congolese politics on society on
Congolese politics on society on
Congolese politics on society on security issues and just getting to know
security issues and just getting to know
security issues and just getting to know each other and I met the person that I
each other and I met the person that I
each other and I met the person that I would be working with
would be working with
would be working with over the next week or so a Canadian
over the next week or so a Canadian
over the next week or so a Canadian judge from the province of Quebec who
judge from the province of Quebec who
judge from the province of Quebec who had done many observations already and
had done many observations already and
had done many observations already and was a great guide to this experience and
was a great guide to this experience and
was a great guide to this experience and really a great mentor for me on this
really a great mentor for me on this
really a great mentor for me on this first election observation that I was
first election observation that I was
first election observation that I was going to be part of so we met with our
going to be part of so we met with our
going to be part of so we met with our driver we headed off to the district
driver we headed off to the district
driver we headed off to the district that we were going to be observing in
that we were going to be observing in
that we were going to be observing in and it was several hours of drive
and it was several hours of drive
and it was several hours of drive through the Congolese countryside
through the Congolese countryside
through the Congolese countryside absolutely beautiful countryside
absolutely beautiful countryside
absolutely beautiful countryside listening to great music on the radio
listening to great music on the radio
listening to great music on the radio and traveling across the bumpiest
and traveling across the bumpiest
and traveling across the bumpiest possible roads you can imagine that had
possible roads you can imagine that had
possible roads you can imagine that had been washed out by rains hadn’t been
been washed out by rains hadn’t been
been washed out by rains hadn’t been properly kept up and had been cratered
properly kept up and had been cratered
properly kept up and had been cratered by all the fighting that was going on in
by all the fighting that was going on in
by all the fighting that was going on in the country and there was a lot of
the country and there was a lot of
the country and there was a lot of fighting going on in the country so we
fighting going on in the country so we
fighting going on in the country so we got to the small town that was our base
got to the small town that was our base
got to the small town that was our base of operations we toured around a little
of operations we toured around a little
of operations we toured around a little bit we met with the local officials we
bit we met with the local officials we
bit we met with the local officials we saw what was happening just in the
saw what was happening just in the
saw what was happening just in the immediate run-up to to the elections and
immediate run-up to to the elections and
immediate run-up to to the elections and the night before Election Day we decided
the night before Election Day we decided
the night before Election Day we decided that we’d have a good meal a few
that we’d have a good meal a few
that we’d have a good meal a few Congolese beers which were fantastic and
Congolese beers which were fantastic and
Congolese beers which were fantastic and Gok beer highly recommended if you’re
Gok beer highly recommended if you’re
Gok beer highly recommended if you’re ever in Brazzaville or anywhere nearby
ever in Brazzaville or anywhere nearby
ever in Brazzaville or anywhere nearby and that we would turn in early the
and that we would turn in early the
and that we would turn in early the electricity in this town went off at 9
electricity in this town went off at 9
electricity in this town went off at 9 o’clock every night so we thought well
o’clock every night so we thought well
o’clock every night so we thought well that’s a good time for us to go to bed I
that’s a good time for us to go to bed I
that’s a good time for us to go to bed I didn’t sleep very well that night
didn’t sleep very well that night
didn’t sleep very well that night because I was really nervous about the
because I was really nervous about the
because I was really nervous about the next day there was a lot of things that
next day there was a lot of things that
next day there was a lot of things that we had to do and I was I just wanted to
we had to do and I was I just wanted to
we had to do and I was I just wanted to get it right I mean the stakes are high
get it right I mean the stakes are high
get it right I mean the stakes are high this is somebody’s first elections in
this is somebody’s first elections in
this is somebody’s first elections in their country and I’m there as an
their country and I’m there as an
their country and I’m there as an observer I want to get it right I also
observer I want to get it right I also
observer I want to get it right I also didn’t sleep very well because when I
didn’t sleep very well because when I
didn’t sleep very well because when I did finally fall asleep I woke up a
did finally fall asleep I woke up a
did finally fall asleep I woke up a little while later with some sort of a
little while later with some sort of a
little while later with some sort of a weight pressing down on my chest not a
weight pressing down on my chest not a
weight pressing down on my chest not a huge weight but enough of a weight and
huge weight but enough of a weight and
huge weight but enough of a weight and in my sleep in s I sort of brushed
in my sleep in s I sort of brushed
in my sleep in s I sort of brushed whatever it was and I realized that I
whatever it was and I realized that I
whatever it was and I realized that I had a noteworthy number of very large
had a noteworthy number of very large
had a noteworthy number of very large very fuzzy spiders all over me
very fuzzy spiders all over me
very fuzzy spiders all over me that was my reaction to and in fact I
that was my reaction to and in fact I
that was my reaction to and in fact I would say you know they hadn’t briefed
would say you know they hadn’t briefed
would say you know they hadn’t briefed me on this particular eventualities
me on this particular eventualities
me on this particular eventualities but in in technical terms I would I did
but in in technical terms I would I did
but in in technical terms I would I did what I would call I freaked out the
what I would call I freaked out the
what I would call I freaked out the lights are off there’s no electricity I
lights are off there’s no electricity I
lights are off there’s no electricity I hadn’t left my little gas lantern near
hadn’t left my little gas lantern near
hadn’t left my little gas lantern near enough to me who knows where the matches
enough to me who knows where the matches
enough to me who knows where the matches were but you know when you’re out in the
were but you know when you’re out in the
were but you know when you’re out in the middle of nowhere and there’s nobody
middle of nowhere and there’s nobody
middle of nowhere and there’s nobody there to help you and you’re freaking
there to help you and you’re freaking
there to help you and you’re freaking out you realize you have to stop
out you realize you have to stop
out you realize you have to stop freaking out you have to figure out what
freaking out you have to figure out what
freaking out you have to figure out what to do I found the gas lantern I found
to do I found the gas lantern I found
to do I found the gas lantern I found the matches I got rid of the spiders and
the matches I got rid of the spiders and
the matches I got rid of the spiders and found a way to get a little bit more
found a way to get a little bit more
found a way to get a little bit more sleep the next morning we were up early
sleep the next morning we were up early
sleep the next morning we were up early we wanted to get to the first polling
we wanted to get to the first polling
we wanted to get to the first polling station before it opened up and the
station before it opened up and the
station before it opened up and the first polling station was far away and
first polling station was far away and
first polling station was far away and so we had to go to a town on the shores
so we had to go to a town on the shores
so we had to go to a town on the shores of the Congo River because the first
of the Congo River because the first
of the Congo River because the first polling station was on an island in the
polling station was on an island in the
polling station was on an island in the Congo River and so we got to this town
Congo River and so we got to this town
Congo River and so we got to this town and the first person we met with was the
and the first person we met with was the
and the first person we met with was the chief of the of the village probably the
chief of the of the village probably the
chief of the of the village probably the most noteworthy thing about this photo
most noteworthy thing about this photo
most noteworthy thing about this photo is how much hair I have in 1993 as you
is how much hair I have in 1993 as you
is how much hair I have in 1993 as you can see the democracy business has been
can see the democracy business has been
can see the democracy business has been tough on my hairline if nothing else
tough on my hairline if nothing else
tough on my hairline if nothing else that’s really my whole message of this
that’s really my whole message of this
that’s really my whole message of this talk but we it took us a long time to
talk but we it took us a long time to
talk but we it took us a long time to get there we started late we arrived
get there we started late we arrived
get there we started late we arrived late the roads were terrible and I was
late the roads were terrible and I was
late the roads were terrible and I was really eager to get going to get moving
really eager to get going to get moving
really eager to get going to get moving and you know we had a lot to do in this
and you know we had a lot to do in this
and you know we had a lot to do in this very long day ahead of us this important
very long day ahead of us this important
very long day ahead of us this important day for us and for the nation of Congo
day for us and for the nation of Congo
day for us and for the nation of Congo the judge who I was with saw my kind of
the judge who I was with saw my kind of
the judge who I was with saw my kind of agitation and eagerness and anxiety and
agitation and eagerness and anxiety and
agitation and eagerness and anxiety and she took me aside and she said you know
she took me aside and she said you know
she took me aside and she said you know we we really need to spend some time
we we really need to spend some time
we we really need to spend some time with the chief of the village these
with the chief of the village these
with the chief of the village these conversations are an important part of
conversations are an important part of
conversations are an important part of why we’re here they’re part of the
why we’re here they’re part of the
why we’re here they’re part of the process it’s not just casting the
process it’s not just casting the
process it’s not just casting the ballots it’s not just checking the boxes
ballots it’s not just checking the boxes
ballots it’s not just checking the boxes on our reports we need to talk with the
on our reports we need to talk with the
on our reports we need to talk with the chief and we need to hear him out and so
chief and we need to hear him out and so
chief and we need to hear him out and so we sat down and she said she said this
we sat down and she said she said this
we sat down and she said she said this to me too she said we need to do this
to me too she said we need to do this
to me too she said we need to do this and she said in French use the word do
and she said in French use the word do
and she said in French use the word do small slowly gently sweetly and it’s a
small slowly gently sweetly and it’s a
small slowly gently sweetly and it’s a great word because it encapsulates all
great word because it encapsulates all
great word because it encapsulates all of
of
of and so we did and we sat down we had tea
and so we did and we sat down we had tea
and so we did and we sat down we had tea we talked about our respective countries
we talked about our respective countries
we talked about our respective countries where we’re from our families and
where we’re from our families and
where we’re from our families and eventually the chief introduced us to
eventually the chief introduced us to
eventually the chief introduced us to the guy who could rent us the boat the
the guy who could rent us the boat the
the guy who could rent us the boat the boat as it turns out is a hollowed-out
boat as it turns out is a hollowed-out
boat as it turns out is a hollowed-out tree trunk in French of P log and this
tree trunk in French of P log and this
tree trunk in French of P log and this is the boat that we rented and then we
is the boat that we rented and then we
is the boat that we rented and then we had to rent the motor for the boat we
had to rent the motor for the boat we
had to rent the motor for the boat we had to rent the gas for the motor and we
had to rent the gas for the motor and we
had to rent the gas for the motor and we had to hire the services of the guy who
had to hire the services of the guy who
had to hire the services of the guy who would operate the motor and then a
would operate the motor and then a
would operate the motor and then a navigator and then the last person whose
navigator and then the last person whose
navigator and then the last person whose services we secured which was a guy with
services we secured which was a guy with
services we secured which was a guy with his own personal ak-47 who would be
his own personal ak-47 who would be
his own personal ak-47 who would be travelling up the river with us and so
travelling up the river with us and so
travelling up the river with us and so we headed off up the river and the judge
we headed off up the river and the judge
we headed off up the river and the judge at some point we’re chatting amongst
at some point we’re chatting amongst
at some point we’re chatting amongst ourselves and it’s absolutely beautiful
ourselves and it’s absolutely beautiful
ourselves and it’s absolutely beautiful the river is just enormous the currents
the river is just enormous the currents
the river is just enormous the currents are very strong and she says well you
are very strong and she says well you
are very strong and she says well you know maybe while we’re going up the
know maybe while we’re going up the
know maybe while we’re going up the river each of us should sing a song from
river each of us should sing a song from
river each of us should sing a song from our country and so the Congolese guys
our country and so the Congolese guys
our country and so the Congolese guys each had really beautiful songs
each had really beautiful songs
each had really beautiful songs the judge sang this absolutely beautiful
the judge sang this absolutely beautiful
the judge sang this absolutely beautiful song from her childhood in Quebec and
song from her childhood in Quebec and
song from her childhood in Quebec and all the while I’m thinking I’ve got
all the while I’m thinking I’ve got
all the while I’m thinking I’ve got nothing like I don’t have I don’t
nothing like I don’t have I don’t
nothing like I don’t have I don’t remember songs I don’t know and so
remember songs I don’t know and so
remember songs I don’t know and so they’re in June in the middle of the
they’re in June in the middle of the
they’re in June in the middle of the river in Congo I belt it out Santa Claus
river in Congo I belt it out Santa Claus
river in Congo I belt it out Santa Claus is coming to town
is coming to town
is coming to town and I have to say I did it with feeling
and I have to say I did it with feeling
and I have to say I did it with feeling I really think I nailed it and and I was
I really think I nailed it and and I was
I really think I nailed it and and I was feeling pretty good about myself and
feeling pretty good about myself and
feeling pretty good about myself and feeling like you know just a few days
feeling like you know just a few days
feeling like you know just a few days ago I was in Albany and Here I am this
ago I was in Albany and Here I am this
ago I was in Albany and Here I am this is really cool and then the motor conked
is really cool and then the motor conked
is really cool and then the motor conked out and now we’re drifting backwards and
out and now we’re drifting backwards and
out and now we’re drifting backwards and not only back but we’re drifting toward
not only back but we’re drifting toward
not only back but we’re drifting toward the opposite shore which is another
the opposite shore which is another
the opposite shore which is another country
country
country it’s the Democratic Republic of Congo
it’s the Democratic Republic of Congo
it’s the Democratic Republic of Congo there’s a year known to some and things
there’s a year known to some and things
there’s a year known to some and things over there are even in worse shape than
over there are even in worse shape than
over there are even in worse shape than they were in the Republic of Congo and
they were in the Republic of Congo and
they were in the Republic of Congo and it wouldn’t have been particularly good
it wouldn’t have been particularly good
it wouldn’t have been particularly good for any number of reasons if we were to
for any number of reasons if we were to
for any number of reasons if we were to end up over there and so there was a lot
end up over there and so there was a lot
end up over there and so there was a lot of nervousness in the boat there was a
of nervousness in the boat there was a
of nervousness in the boat there was a lot of frantic working on the motor
lot of frantic working on the motor
lot of frantic working on the motor didn’t seem to be going anywhere
didn’t seem to be going anywhere
didn’t seem to be going anywhere making it work
making it work
making it work then the word went out does anyone have
then the word went out does anyone have
then the word went out does anyone have a screwdriver now this is an unusual
a screwdriver now this is an unusual
a screwdriver now this is an unusual question but it just so happened I had
question but it just so happened I had
question but it just so happened I had my Swiss Army knife on me I turned it
my Swiss Army knife on me I turned it
my Swiss Army knife on me I turned it over they used it on the engine
over they used it on the engine
over they used it on the engine voila it worked we headed on our way we
voila it worked we headed on our way we
voila it worked we headed on our way we got to where now it that were really
got to where now it that were really
got to where now it that were really delayed we get to the first polling
delayed we get to the first polling
delayed we get to the first polling station which is in this island village
station which is in this island village
station which is in this island village and guess what they’re not having the
and guess what they’re not having the
and guess what they’re not having the election they’re not holding it that day
election they’re not holding it that day
election they’re not holding it that day we’ve spent hours getting there and
we’ve spent hours getting there and
we’ve spent hours getting there and they’re not having the election so we
they’re not having the election so we
they’re not having the election so we decided that we should at least
decided that we should at least
decided that we should at least interview the people in charge and find
interview the people in charge and find
interview the people in charge and find out why they’re not having the election
out why they’re not having the election
out why they’re not having the election and so we sat down in what was like the
and so we sat down in what was like the
and so we sat down in what was like the equivalent of the Town Hall on this
equivalent of the Town Hall on this
equivalent of the Town Hall on this island village a cinderblock building
island village a cinderblock building
island village a cinderblock building the whole town all the residents crowded
the whole town all the residents crowded
the whole town all the residents crowded around looking through the windows
around looking through the windows
around looking through the windows looking through the doors and the two
looking through the doors and the two
looking through the doors and the two guys who were in charge the judge went
guys who were in charge the judge went
guys who were in charge the judge went into one corner with one guy and was
into one corner with one guy and was
into one corner with one guy and was chatting with him and I went to the one
chatting with him and I went to the one
chatting with him and I went to the one corner with another guy and I was
corner with another guy and I was
corner with another guy and I was chatting with him and in pretty short
chatting with him and in pretty short
chatting with him and in pretty short order these two guys started accusing
order these two guys started accusing
order these two guys started accusing each other across the room of
each other across the room of
each other across the room of undermining the election and then they
undermining the election and then they
undermining the election and then they started yelling at each other and then
started yelling at each other and then
started yelling at each other and then they were up and out of their seats and
they were up and out of their seats and
they were up and out of their seats and they were coming at each other and they
they were coming at each other and they
they were coming at each other and they were grappling with each other and then
were grappling with each other and then
were grappling with each other and then it was a really a fist fight a
it was a really a fist fight a
it was a really a fist fight a knock-down drag-out fight was ensuing
knock-down drag-out fight was ensuing
knock-down drag-out fight was ensuing and then all sorts of fights outside
and then all sorts of fights outside
and then all sorts of fights outside started to erupt I thought this is not
started to erupt I thought this is not
started to erupt I thought this is not exactly how I planned this going our
exactly how I planned this going our
exactly how I planned this going our guys in the boat are some yards away
guys in the boat are some yards away
guys in the boat are some yards away over by the shore with the boat all they
over by the shore with the boat all they
over by the shore with the boat all they know is there’s this melee breaking out
know is there’s this melee breaking out
know is there’s this melee breaking out and their charges the judge and me are
and their charges the judge and me are
and their charges the judge and me are in the middle of it so this guy fires
in the middle of it so this guy fires
in the middle of it so this guy fires off a few shots into the air now I don’t
off a few shots into the air now I don’t
off a few shots into the air now I don’t know that it’s into the air now I just
know that it’s into the air now I just
know that it’s into the air now I just know I hear machine-gun fire on top of
know I hear machine-gun fire on top of
know I hear machine-gun fire on top of all of this and but he was firing in the
all of this and but he was firing in the
all of this and but he was firing in the air everyone came to a quick pause and
air everyone came to a quick pause and
air everyone came to a quick pause and now I’m thinking well for any number of
now I’m thinking well for any number of
now I’m thinking well for any number of reasons we need to get out of here we’re
reasons we need to get out of here we’re
reasons we need to get out of here we’re really late we haven’t seen an election
really late we haven’t seen an election
really late we haven’t seen an election yet
yet
yet everything has disintegrated things are
everything has disintegrated things are
everything has disintegrated things are falling apart here we need to move on
falling apart here we need to move on
falling apart here we need to move on and again
and again
and again the judge very wisely said let’s finish
the judge very wisely said let’s finish
the judge very wisely said let’s finish our conversation with these two guys
our conversation with these two guys
our conversation with these two guys again she said do small let’s proceed
again she said do small let’s proceed
again she said do small let’s proceed this way and we had civil conversations
this way and we had civil conversations
this way and we had civil conversations with them and they had a civil
with them and they had a civil
with them and they had a civil conversation with each other we moved on
conversation with each other we moved on
conversation with each other we moved on we saw lots of other votes being cast it
we saw lots of other votes being cast it
we saw lots of other votes being cast it was a difficult election was a violent
was a difficult election was a violent
was a difficult election was a violent time in Congo but in the midst of that
time in Congo but in the midst of that
time in Congo but in the midst of that violence I saw so many people coming out
violence I saw so many people coming out
violence I saw so many people coming out and walking for miles in the hot Sun and
and walking for miles in the hot Sun and
and walking for miles in the hot Sun and casting their ballots in many cases for
casting their ballots in many cases for
casting their ballots in many cases for the first time in their lives that it
the first time in their lives that it
the first time in their lives that it mattered that the election really
mattered that the election really
mattered that the election really mattered and after that election I
mattered and after that election I
mattered and after that election I worked in lots of other elections in
worked in lots of other elections in
worked in lots of other elections in Guinea Conakry in West Africa again you
Guinea Conakry in West Africa again you
Guinea Conakry in West Africa again you can see people turning out with babies
can see people turning out with babies
can see people turning out with babies on their back standing in long lines
on their back standing in long lines
on their back standing in long lines putting up with was very challenging
putting up with was very challenging
putting up with was very challenging bureaucratic obstacles in 2000 I worked
bureaucratic obstacles in 2000 I worked
bureaucratic obstacles in 2000 I worked in the first elections in Kosovo after
in the first elections in Kosovo after
in the first elections in Kosovo after the war a place that had been ravaged by
the war a place that had been ravaged by
the war a place that had been ravaged by crimes against humanity where the people
crimes against humanity where the people
crimes against humanity where the people that who were working for me the
that who were working for me the
that who were working for me the Kosovars
Kosovars
Kosovars were coming to work under death threat
were coming to work under death threat
were coming to work under death threat every day were voting in the shadows of
every day were voting in the shadows of
every day were voting in the shadows of mass graves and where the town that I
mass graves and where the town that I
mass graves and where the town that I worked in had very few buildings left
worked in had very few buildings left
worked in had very few buildings left they had either been bombed by NATO or
they had either been bombed by NATO or
they had either been bombed by NATO or had burned burned down by either side
had burned burned down by either side
had burned burned down by either side during the war
during the war
during the war later in Macedonia you can see here that
later in Macedonia you can see here that
later in Macedonia you can see here that I’ve upgraded myself I’ve got Noah not
I’ve upgraded myself I’ve got Noah not
I’ve upgraded myself I’ve got Noah not only a tie but also an armband and the
only a tie but also an armband and the
only a tie but also an armband and the armband really makes it I think but it
armband really makes it I think but it
armband really makes it I think but it was a it was an important time to be
was a it was an important time to be
was a it was an important time to be there in that country at that moment in
there in that country at that moment in
there in that country at that moment in bosnia-herzegovina a country that we
bosnia-herzegovina a country that we
bosnia-herzegovina a country that we know has has suffered so much and and
know has has suffered so much and and
know has has suffered so much and and has a very precarious political system
has a very precarious political system
has a very precarious political system yet people turned out and we’re working
yet people turned out and we’re working
yet people turned out and we’re working very hard as you can see at this polling
very hard as you can see at this polling
very hard as you can see at this polling station in in good cheer and most
station in in good cheer and most
station in in good cheer and most recently in Ukraine in 2014 so following
recently in Ukraine in 2014 so following
recently in Ukraine in 2014 so following the uprisings in Ukraine
the uprisings in Ukraine
the uprisings in Ukraine in Maidan in Kiev the ouster of their
in Maidan in Kiev the ouster of their
in Maidan in Kiev the ouster of their president then the elections for a new
president then the elections for a new
president then the elections for a new president the politics were very intense
president the politics were very intense
president the politics were very intense Russia had annexed Crimea there was
Russia had annexed Crimea there was
Russia had annexed Crimea there was out-and-out combat going on in the
out-and-out combat going on in the
out-and-out combat going on in the southeastern part of the country men
southeastern part of the country men
southeastern part of the country men were being called to Millie’s military
were being called to Millie’s military
were being called to Millie’s military service from across the country and
service from across the country and
service from across the country and people were putting on this election and
people were putting on this election and
people were putting on this election and I worked with some just extraordinary
I worked with some just extraordinary
I worked with some just extraordinary people the international observers it
people the international observers it
people the international observers it was a huge mission for the organization
was a huge mission for the organization
was a huge mission for the organization and Security and Cooperation in Europe
and Security and Cooperation in Europe
and Security and Cooperation in Europe which the u.s. is a member state of and
which the u.s. is a member state of and
which the u.s. is a member state of and the Ukrainians who I worked with here is
the Ukrainians who I worked with here is
the Ukrainians who I worked with here is a picture of the people at the district
a picture of the people at the district
a picture of the people at the district office of the electoral district where I
office of the electoral district where I
office of the electoral district where I was working and they worked over 24
was working and they worked over 24
was working and they worked over 24 hours straight to make sure that the
hours straight to make sure that the
hours straight to make sure that the votes were tallied and that the results
votes were tallied and that the results
votes were tallied and that the results were sent on to the capital and they did
were sent on to the capital and they did
were sent on to the capital and they did this in the face of the whole election
this in the face of the whole election
this in the face of the whole election election system the electronic system
election system the electronic system
election system the electronic system being hacked by a foreign power we don’t
being hacked by a foreign power we don’t
being hacked by a foreign power we don’t know what power exactly I don’t know
know what power exactly I don’t know
know what power exactly I don’t know exactly I would just say sometimes you
exactly I would just say sometimes you
exactly I would just say sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets
get the bear and sometimes the bear gets
get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you it was a very tough day these people
you it was a very tough day these people
you it was a very tough day these people worked very hard the day after the
worked very hard the day after the
worked very hard the day after the election i sat down with some of the
election i sat down with some of the
election i sat down with some of the Ukrainian election workers and some of
Ukrainian election workers and some of
Ukrainian election workers and some of my fellow observers and had this
my fellow observers and had this
my fellow observers and had this extraordinary meal this time to kind of
extraordinary meal this time to kind of
extraordinary meal this time to kind of just commune over great food
just commune over great food
just commune over great food conversation many toasts a fair amount
conversation many toasts a fair amount
conversation many toasts a fair amount of homemade vodka singing some songs
of homemade vodka singing some songs
of homemade vodka singing some songs there was no singing of Santa Claus is
there was no singing of Santa Claus is
there was no singing of Santa Claus is coming to town I think that was a missed
coming to town I think that was a missed
coming to town I think that was a missed opportunity and it was just an
opportunity and it was just an
opportunity and it was just an extraordinary moment and having worked
extraordinary moment and having worked
extraordinary moment and having worked on all these elections I think gives me
on all these elections I think gives me
on all these elections I think gives me some opportunity to stand back and
some opportunity to stand back and
some opportunity to stand back and reflect on democracy in general and
reflect on democracy in general and
reflect on democracy in general and democracy in my own country what are
democracy in my own country what are
democracy in my own country what are some of the elements that matter now I
some of the elements that matter now I
some of the elements that matter now I can talk to you about this like an
can talk to you about this like an
can talk to you about this like an academic and there’s all these reams of
academic and there’s all these reams of
academic and there’s all these reams of volumes of books written about what
volumes of books written about what
volumes of books written about what democracy is and what it isn’t but what
democracy is and what it isn’t but what
democracy is and what it isn’t but what I was able to experience through these
I was able to experience through these
I was able to experience through these elections in other people’s countries
elections in other people’s countries
elections in other people’s countries was the lived experience of democracy
was the lived experience of democracy
was the lived experience of democracy the human element of democracy how does
the human element of democracy how does
the human element of democracy how does how does it transpire when people are
how does it transpire when people are
how does it transpire when people are really having to sacrifice such a great
really having to sacrifice such a great
really having to sacrifice such a great deal to go and vote to hold an election
deal to go and vote to hold an election
deal to go and vote to hold an election to vote for the very first time in their
to vote for the very first time in their
to vote for the very first time in their lives and so I’ve been in many countries
lives and so I’ve been in many countries
lives and so I’ve been in many countries where people have cast their very first
where people have cast their very first
where people have cast their very first votes and I’m reminded of that when I
votes and I’m reminded of that when I
votes and I’m reminded of that when I vote here and I’m there at the polling
vote here and I’m there at the polling
vote here and I’m there at the polling station and I think there’s somebody
station and I think there’s somebody
station and I think there’s somebody here who’s voted for the first time
here who’s voted for the first time
here who’s voted for the first time either because they’ve just turned 18
either because they’ve just turned 18
either because they’ve just turned 18 and they can vote well because they’ve
and they can vote well because they’ve
and they can vote well because they’ve come here from another country and
come here from another country and
come here from another country and they’re now a citizen and maybe they’ve
they’re now a citizen and maybe they’ve
they’re now a citizen and maybe they’ve come from someplace where they can’t
come from someplace where they can’t
come from someplace where they can’t they couldn’t have voted before I think
they couldn’t have voted before I think
they couldn’t have voted before I think about how important Election Day is as a
about how important Election Day is as a
about how important Election Day is as a ritual as a time to gather together at
ritual as a time to gather together at
ritual as a time to gather together at the polling stations I’ve seen so many
the polling stations I’ve seen so many
the polling stations I’ve seen so many great moments and conversations and
great moments and conversations and
great moments and conversations and polling stations around the world and it
polling stations around the world and it
polling stations around the world and it pains me when I sometimes when I go to
pains me when I sometimes when I go to
pains me when I sometimes when I go to to vote here and and it seems kind of
to vote here and and it seems kind of
to vote here and and it seems kind of pro forma or it just seems empty and I
pro forma or it just seems empty and I
pro forma or it just seems empty and I think about why people vote people vote
think about why people vote people vote
think about why people vote people vote to send people to institutions that we
to send people to institutions that we
to send people to institutions that we hope will work that we need to work
hope will work that we need to work
hope will work that we need to work because otherwise it’s an empty exercise
because otherwise it’s an empty exercise
because otherwise it’s an empty exercise we need to be able to know that the day
we need to be able to know that the day
we need to be able to know that the day after election day isn’t just
after election day isn’t just
after election day isn’t just winner-take-all that we will be able to
winner-take-all that we will be able to
winner-take-all that we will be able to maintain something akin to a loyal
maintain something akin to a loyal
maintain something akin to a loyal opposition meaning that you can
opposition meaning that you can
opposition meaning that you can assiduously oppose the policies of the
assiduously oppose the policies of the
assiduously oppose the policies of the government in power and still be loyal
government in power and still be loyal
government in power and still be loyal to the country and still be deemed as
to the country and still be deemed as
to the country and still be deemed as such not be seen as traitorous that we
such not be seen as traitorous that we
such not be seen as traitorous that we can work toward compromise it makes me
can work toward compromise it makes me
can work toward compromise it makes me think about leadership and the qualities
think about leadership and the qualities
think about leadership and the qualities of leadership I’ve been in many
of leadership I’ve been in many
of leadership I’ve been in many countries that have had revolutions
countries that have had revolutions
countries that have had revolutions where people have said we’re looking for
where people have said we’re looking for
where people have said we’re looking for our Nelson Mandela there’s not a lot of
our Nelson Mandela there’s not a lot of
our Nelson Mandela there’s not a lot of Nelson Mandela’s in history I mean a man
Nelson Mandela’s in history I mean a man
Nelson Mandela’s in history I mean a man of that character comes along every so
of that character comes along every so
of that character comes along every so once in a while however we do need to
once in a while however we do need to
once in a while however we do need to find ways to cultivate leadership we
find ways to cultivate leadership we
find ways to cultivate leadership we shouldn’t be too overly reliant on
shouldn’t be too overly reliant on
shouldn’t be too overly reliant on individual leaders but at the same time
individual leaders but at the same time
individual leaders but at the same time we should seek out leaders who have the
we should seek out leaders who have the
we should seek out leaders who have the quality the courage of their convictions
quality the courage of their convictions
quality the courage of their convictions but also the capacity to compromise and
but also the capacity to compromise and
but also the capacity to compromise and in my experience that’s rare and it’s
in my experience that’s rare and it’s
in my experience that’s rare and it’s fragile but it’s possible and it is one
fragile but it’s possible and it is one
fragile but it’s possible and it is one of the differences that I think comes
of the differences that I think comes
of the differences that I think comes down between democracies working and not
down between democracies working and not
down between democracies working and not working but in the end I think it really
working but in the end I think it really
working but in the end I think it really comes down to the many other things that
comes down to the many other things that
comes down to the many other things that are not part of constitutions or
are not part of constitutions or
are not part of constitutions or institutions or electoral law Alexis de
institutions or electoral law Alexis de
institutions or electoral law Alexis de Tocqueville came to the United States in
Tocqueville came to the United States in
Tocqueville came to the United States in the 1830s and he wrote about democracy
the 1830s and he wrote about democracy
the 1830s and he wrote about democracy in America and he noted that what really
in America and he noted that what really
in America and he noted that what really makes it work here are all those other
makes it work here are all those other
makes it work here are all those other things
things
things the other ways that we come together
the other ways that we come together
the other ways that we come together they’re the ways in which we find
they’re the ways in which we find
they’re the ways in which we find opportunities to work together and to
opportunities to work together and to
opportunities to work together and to converse with each other and I think
converse with each other and I think
converse with each other and I think back to that tea that I had with the
back to that tea that I had with the
back to that tea that I had with the chief in Congo and the judge saying to
chief in Congo and the judge saying to
chief in Congo and the judge saying to me do small we need to we need to stop
me do small we need to we need to stop
me do small we need to we need to stop we need to talk and we need to listen I
we need to talk and we need to listen I
we need to talk and we need to listen I think about the boat going up the Congo
think about the boat going up the Congo
think about the boat going up the Congo River against the currents and having to
River against the currents and having to
River against the currents and having to work together singing songs together but
work together singing songs together but
work together singing songs together but also you know finding a way to fix that
also you know finding a way to fix that
also you know finding a way to fix that motor I think about the two guys yelling
motor I think about the two guys yelling
motor I think about the two guys yelling at each other in the cinderblock
at each other in the cinderblock
at each other in the cinderblock building we need to have a civil
building we need to have a civil
building we need to have a civil conversation do small we need to talk
conversation do small we need to talk
conversation do small we need to talk and so there’s a lot of things that are
and so there’s a lot of things that are
and so there’s a lot of things that are hard they’re so big it’s hard to imagine
hard they’re so big it’s hard to imagine
hard they’re so big it’s hard to imagine how we can fix them but we can talk to
how we can fix them but we can talk to
how we can fix them but we can talk to each other we can listen to each other
each other we can listen to each other
each other we can listen to each other we can talk to somebody who we know we
we can talk to somebody who we know we
we can talk to somebody who we know we disagree with and they who disagrees
disagree with and they who disagrees
disagree with and they who disagrees with us and that I think is an important
with us and that I think is an important
with us and that I think is an important element that I’ve learned from traveling
element that I’ve learned from traveling
element that I’ve learned from traveling around the world and seeing people risk
around the world and seeing people risk
around the world and seeing people risk everything for democracy and I leave you
everything for democracy and I leave you
everything for democracy and I leave you with one further and very important
with one further and very important
with one further and very important thought don’t forget your Swiss Army
thought don’t forget your Swiss Army
thought don’t forget your Swiss Army knife
knife
knife [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] you
”
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