Embassy Row

SEX SLAVES AT WORLD CUP

The co-chair of the House Human Trafficking Caucus is urging the South African government to crack down on the country’s widespread sexual slave trade during the World Cup this month, when a half million foreigners are expected to attend the international soccer tournament.

Rep. Kay Granger, Texas Republican, this week introduced a resolution calling on Pretoria to expand its law enforcement efforts during the tournament, which opens Friday. It also urges South African police to arrest any tourist engaging in the sexual exploitation of men, women and children.

Mrs. Granger on Wednesday also acknowledged South Africa’s first two convictions for human trafficking. South Africa has only weak laws dealing with sexual exploitation and forced labor, but a tougher bill was introduced in parliament last month.

“I am pleased that the government of South Africa has had its first two successful convictions for human trafficking,” she said. “We must continue to work to ensure that we protect men, women and children enslaved in this vicious cycle. Light is being shed on these disgusting acts against humanity, and justice will be served.”

The State Department considers South Africa to be a source of sexual slavery and forced labor, as well as a destination for human trafficking from other countries and a transit nation for the modern slave trade. It said girls are usually sold for sexual exploitation, while boys are frequently used in forced labor. South African human rights groups estimate that 38,000 children are trapped in the country’s sex trade.

South African President Jacob Zuma also has warned about a possible increase in the sex trade during the World Cup.

“While we are excited about the World Cup tournament, we are mindful that an event of this magnitude unfortunately also opens up opportunities for criminals such as those who traffic in women and children,” Mr. Zuma last month during a ceremony to mark children’s protection week.

“We must therefore work closely together to curb this crime, which is in essence modern-day slavery.”

TALKING TO TERRORISTS

A former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Syria and Iraq is urging the Obama administration to talk to Hezbollah terrorists, arguing that talking to the enemy has its advantages.

“Sometimes persuasion and negotiation can change minds,” Ryan C. Crocker told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week. “We cannot mess with our adversary’s mind if we are not talking to him.”

Mr. Ryan explained he has no illusions about the nature of Hezbollah, which is firmly entrenched in Lebanon and dedicated to the destruction of Israel. He called Hezbollah, an Arab name meaning “army of God,” an “ideologically motivated terrorist organization” allied with both Iran and Syria.

He added that he learned of Hezbollah’s deadly reach first as a diplomat and later as ambassador to Lebanon in the 1990s. However, he also argued that the Bush administration was successful talking to Shi’ite militants in Iraq and turning them against al Qaeda.

“We should talk to Hezbollah,” he said. “One thing I learned in Iraq is that engagement can be extremely valuable in ending an insurgency. … Hezbollah is a part of the Lebanese political landscape, and we should deal with it directly.”

Mr. Ryan argued that talking to Hezbollah would not require a change in U.S. policy against talks with terrorists because Hezbollah is part of Lebanon’s national unity government.

“This does not need to be styled as a dramatic change in policy — simply a matter-of-fact engagement with those who hold official positions as members of Parliament or the Cabinet,” he said.

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297 or e-mail jmorrison@washingtontimes.com.