I want to thank you for the invitation to serve as a consultant in your project to improve the image of the United States among the peoples of the world, presumably in my case of the Middle East and Central Asia.  I regard the attempt of any agency of our government to improve the American image abroad as a positive development, because I have observed with great concern the precipitous decline of respect and admiration for this country among many peoples around the world.  My concern has been especially acute because of the policies of our government:  they have been condescending, indeed at times openly scornful of the interests and opinions of other peoples in a period when modern technology brings us ever closer to each other.  The rejection of the Kyoto Protocol (According to Christine Todd Whitman, it was solely to appeal to a constituency back home), the pre-emptive attack on Iraq in the face of warnings and objections by most of the leaders of the world (and for reasons that now appear at best spurious), the characterization of the Geneva Conventions on treatment of prisoners as “quaint” and “antiquated” together with the abuses at Abu Graib and elsewhere, leading to the deaths of at least 26 prisoners under interrogation – these are but a few of the actions of our government that have given to our country a brutal image, as if Americans were indifferent to the responsibilities of power. 
 I most eagerly welcome any desire to correct the negative image that these and many other policies have created.  But I believe the damage to this country’s image – which may be irreparable in the short term – does not result from miscommunication or misapprehensions or mistaken images.  It comes from abusive policies.  Progress cannot be made through advertising so much as through changes in attitude and behavior.  So far, I see no signs of regret for actions taken, for policies adopted, for spurious claims made.  So, as much as I would delight in helping to improve the image of this country abroad I see no hope of doing it under the present conditions.  We cannot make progress by attempting to repackage American policies and attitudes but by open acknowledgement of errors made, affronts given, abuses done that we now regret and renounce.   Indeed, I fear that any attempt to present our negative image as a packaging problem is likely to come across as more of the same, another indication that we don’t intend to listen, that we have no desire to change our ways in the world. 
This is why I regret that I cannot participate in your project.  My best hope is that you will be able to use your assignment to convince those in power to re-think the attitudes and policies that have diminished the stature of our country. 

Sincerely,  Robert L. Canfield