Miklos Vamos at PostGlobal

Miklos Vamos

Budapest, Hungary

Miklós Vámos is a Hungarian novelist, screenwriter and talk show host. He is one of the most read and respected writers in his native Hungary. He has taught at Yale University on a Fulbright fellowship, served as The Nation’s East European correspondent, worked as consultant on the Oscar-winning film Mephisto, and presented Hungary’s most-watched cultural television show. Vámos has received numerous awards for his plays, screenplays, novels and short stories, including the Hungarian Merit Award for lifetime achievement. The Book of Fathers is considered his most accomplished novel and has sold 200,000 copies in Hungary. Close.

Miklos Vamos

Budapest, Hungary

Miklós Vámos is a Hungarian novelist, screenwriter and talk show host. more »

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For the U.S., Mum's the Word

As we all remember, American policies and rhetoric have always been a bit demagogic. Other governments may not be too clever either since politicians are not necessarily the best stylists in the world. But deeds, not words, matter most. An international body needs to take charge.

The deeds of the terrorists are unbearable, intolerable. What on earth should the U.S. administrations have done after the collapse of the two proud towers in downtown Manhattan? Who was interested in even the best speeches of President Bush about that loss or the steps he foretold, not to mention the worst ones?

Remedying international terrorism requires we swallow a very bitter pill -- in fact, a whole box of pills. It seems today that every act of precaution or retaliation has simply boosted the terrorists. Considering this, it would be logical for the U.S. to moderate its actions and its threats. On the other hand, there is no authority and politician who could -- and should -- accept the fact that innocent people will be the victims of the next attack. This is a trap, Ladies and Gentlemen, and it is not fair that many of us believe that the U.S. as such, should -- or could --solve the problem.

I know there is skepticism about the capacities and capabilities of international organizations. Still, neutral international organizations have the best chance of successfully negotiating with each hostile party. When U.S. politicians call a group "terrorists," they will not appreciate it, and may act back. If the U.S. administration could be generous enough to delegate the diplomacy job to any international establishment -- I'd choose the UN -- maybe negotiations and their actions could be more effective. While waiting for the results, politicians and authorities should stop sending threats and troops and missiles. Close their mouth for now that is. Mum's the word...

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