Negotiation Skills President Bush Utilized against Saddam Hussein
Profiling George W. Bush and Saddam Hussein - Know more Why the IRAQ War Happened?
Negotiation Skills Of President Bush Utilized In His One-Way Negotiation Session With Saddam Hussein
Being a president of the most powerful country in the world, a leader does not mean keep ordering everyone around. The successful management of a country's affairs is full of negotiations between various parties, groups, organisations and countries. Being a global military leader it is not easy for the US to sell the war to the world. There are international organisations like the United Nations which the leader needs to convince before initiating any war or warlike situations in the region. When the mischiefs, ruthless acts, cruelty, blunt behaviour of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein were out of control, Bush had no option then triggering guns to shut him down. However, in the international context, it is challenging to take decisions on himself. Negotiation is the strategy that he tried before initiating the further actions. Negotiation skills play a critical role in the time of crisis to reach a safe and successful conclusion, especially in international conflicts(Staff 2015). In this report, we can analyse the negotiation skills exhibited by George W Bush in his one-way session Saddam Hussein that he addressed in front of Congress.
Negotiation Skills exhibited by George W. Bush in his one-way communication
George W Bush, a former US president who prides himself on his rationality, is well known for his ability to logically analyse situations, running scenarios, weighing risk and returns, drawing comparisons and anticipating reactions from the opponents and letting his decisions be on hold for a while before acting (Biography 2018). He is too strong in a whisper in an ear and good in slap a back. He is a wonderful orator and a wordsmith (Clark 2008).
In his speech, Bush asked Iraq to withdraw their troops immediately from Kuwait and restore peace in the country by helping administrators to take charge and revive the system. Bush also warned Saddam saying that standing against the United States is like standing against the whole world which is a threatening message from Bush to achieve the goal (Bush 1990). In the meantime, he did not forget to appreciate the services of armed forces (Economist 2002). He also thanks the citizens of United States for standing tall while he was taking big political decisions. Bush has exhibited some of the critical negotiation skills in his speech each of the aspects are highlighted in the below discussions.
- Bush exhibited conflict analysis skills by discussing why the UStook part in the matter.
- He had explained how the armed forces are getting ready for the actions
- He had exhibited emotional control during the speech
- He had taken one-way verbal communication method to convey his messages to Iraqi dictator
- Bush appreciated the teamwork of his armed forces and collaboration within various forces
- He had decided to take actions if Iraq doesn't respond to the concerns of United States
- Bush took an active interest in resolving the conflict arisen by the acts of the Iraqi dictator.
The effectiveness of President Bush's negotiation process and desired results
Bush has used verbal communication communicate effectively to Saddam Hussain. There was no scope to misunderstand anything that was spoken by Bush. He was clear about his demands to Hussain. He had asked Iraq to withdraw troops from Kuwait and restore the political system in the country so that the United States may show interest in talks to Iraq in building further relationships(Washington 2012).
He had exhibited problem-solving mindset by mentioning that he would compromise for not less than Iraq dictator Saddam stopping the war against Kuwait. Bush in his speech stated that the powerful Iraqi army invaded his much weaker neighbour Kuwait. By saying that, Bush attempted to grab the attention of the world towards the issue and attempted to seek support from other nations. By saying that Bush attempting to show the decisions of America are in line with protecting the weaker nations in the world. There were no bargaining signals found in Bush's speech in the white house. He had decided not to entertain any bargaining from the Iraqi dictator to withdraw troops from the war place. Though it was a one-way street, Bus was clear about his further actions and forefront of his mind. The message was loud and clear to the audience in the house and the whole world was listening to his speech.
In the latter part of his speech, Bush mentions that standing against the United States is like standing against the whole world. The statement indicates that America is a highly powerful country in the world, even if Iraq can seek the support of the whole world, America will be able to thrash Iraq. This is a threatening vocal voice to make Iraq withdraw from Kuwait.
In his speech, Bush also appreciated the efforts of soldiers who are part of various armed forces belongs to the country. He appreciated the men and women who stood in the war place to protect the interest of the United Nations. This is one of the greatest communication skills of a leader who creates the collaborative atmosphere in conflicting situations.
Bush thanked white house officials' soldiers, diplomats and citizens of the country for being stood with him during his critical situations and helped in him to maintain a positive working environment during the difficult negotiation with Saddam Hussain. During his speech, Bush exhibited stable emotional status to take control during the speech(Bush 1990).
Control on Outcomes - Bush or Saddam
President Bush's melodramatic conveying proposition to Saddam Hussein was proposed, no hesitation, to neutralize Congress. The course of disarming President Bush by scurrying his armed option till the presidential year in 1992.
Bush efforts calmed Congress for the duration of around 72 hours till Foreign Relations Committee Opened (Senate) begin its gulf hearings a parade of anti-war onlookers (Kennedy 2004). Baker, who was to influence Saddam with American resolution in the next month in Baghdad, hobbled away injured. Saddam was apparently satisfied. He appreciated the moves of Congress.
However, negotiation efforts of President Bush boomerang domestically. The moves hit his image internationally. Bush must have admitted that it was not a negotiation but just a discussion he scheduled between Baker and Saddam (Krauthammer 1990). The intention was just to pass a message to Saddam (Lando 2007). However, Bush having been served an external minister affair for the country must have the knowledge that any discussion or negotiation takes place, it would take several dimensions.
Saddam does not require much to come out a winner (Krauthammer 1990). He required only come out unbroken and in power with somewhat to display, some recompense for his antagonism. He has many options and dices to play for his tiny benefits.
He started his game by playing his first dice brilliantly by agreeing to free the hostages held by him. The action brought him a couple of benefits (Krauthammer 1990). The move created a positive environment for negotiation between Bush and Saddam and brought new hopes in the relationship between both the countries. This is one of the confident and strategic moves from the Iraqi dictator (Lande 2003).
The second card played was Saddam offered to leave Most of the Kuwait geographical regions in return for the lease on Kuwait's Bubiyan Island and return for the Rumalia Oilfield (Rennie 2003).
The report, though shorn of, is reasonable. Saddam wants the oil, and rheostat of the island that orders Kuwait City would give him real armed control of the nation (Guardian 2003). If he permits the royal family to return, they are coming back as his clients. Further, these types of offers drastically control the military attacks.
Again, Saddam had played a democracy card and Palestinian card. He insisted free elections for Kuwait as a nation (Guardian 2003). Had it been agreed upon, it would have given positive benefits to Saddam. However, Bush was unable to understand how it would help Saddam in restoring his power in the region. Though it would be brought benefits to Saddam, The American president would have fought against the free elections coming to Kuwait (Guardian 2003).
What in Results:-
Considering the above instances, we can say the Saddam's approaches to the negotiation process were effective. Bush had taken a series of wrong steps while dealing with his matter. In our case, being an administrator, Bush was in the upper hand while being a negotiator Saddam had upper hand. Whatsoever, Saddam Hussein was punished under Bush' administration which is finally the victory of Bush Government(CNN 2003).