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Monday, June 28, 2004 Moral Courage Israeli chess body wants to sue Libya over ban. Vadim Milov: I'm going to sue Fide for
failing to fulfill their obligations and for forcing me to miss the World
Championship! “In the status, principles and aims of FIDE
it states FIDE is democratically established and bases itself on the
principles of equal rights of its
members as well as FIDE events (competitions, congresses, meetings) may be
hosted only by Federations in whose countries free access is generally assured to representatives of all
Federations.” “In relationship to an organization a right
is a thing to which somebody is entitled. While active, a right can only be
permanently removed or restricted through due process. Due Process is to be informed of any charge, given
time to prepare a defense, being allowed to defend oneself, and to be fairly treated. As I have said I
believe only the body that grants the right can permanently restrict or
remove that right.” [Wayne Praeder, 2004-06-12]
Moral courage adds a third
element: the matter of principle. Simply put, it's the courage to be moral-to
take a stand on matters of integrity, to put conviction into action, to walk
the talk that's implied by those five core values. It's the courage to be honest, responsible, respectful, fair,
and compassionate. When the 23 members of the Maine Commission on Ethical
and Responsible Student Behavior, for example, undertook to identify the core
values “fundamental to a caring, civil society,” they found those five—and
then added courage. A person
who is courageous in the face of ethical
challenges,” says their final report, does “the right thing even if
it’s not popular,” refuses to “stand
idly by while others engage in unethical or harmful behavior,” and
will not “sacrifice aspirations when confronted by academic or ethical
setbacks.” Moral courage is not simply about risking life and limb
in the face of mortal danger-though it may include that outcome. It's about
risking reputation, self confidence, or position because of moral
convictions. It's not about whether you have the guts to go bungee jumping.
It's about whether you dare confront your boss about his bigotry, your
daughter about her disrespect, your nation about its unfairness, or your
peers about their prejudices. What characterizes moral courage? It seems to involve
several key attributes: a willingness to risk rejection, to bear personal
sacrifice, to exercise tenacity and persistence with no assurance of success,
to refuse to compromise on a comfortable way out, and to understand the
importance of ethics in a world that often doesn't. "It has become abundantly
clear that men and women of good conscience can no longer support FIDE in the
face of its hapless organizational bungling and callous destruction of
professional careers." [American grandmaster Yasser Seirawan,
2003] “However understanding both
sides I would still suggest that, at the annual meeting in August, the USCF
board display some moral strength and engage in a serious discussion
concerning dropping its' support for FIDE.” [Wayne Praeder, 19 Jun 2004] FIDE reform should not be about changing faces in
its leadership but must be focused on reconstituting the roles, mandates and democratic vision embodied in
the FIDE Charter. I am supportive
of the following policy framework: Subject: A New USCF
International Policy
Here are five principles for a
new American policy: 1. The purpose of America's
international policy is implied in the USCF's Mission Statement: Our goal in
the foreign arena is to order affairs so as to promote the growth of chess in
America. As a practical matter, this goal can only be reached by refurbishing
FIDE's disastrous image so that sponsors will prove more willing to finance
international chess events in this country and elsewhere. 2. American representatives abroad
are to advocate consensual American values and must never support or subtly
condone attacks on democratic values. 3. The FIDE motto Gens Una Sumus ("we are all
one") means precisely what it says. The United States is to support
inclusion, not exclusion, and to insist that FIDE adhere to its own bylaws
which state that the organization is "concerned exclusively with chess
activities." 4. The United States is to
support absolute openness in FIDE -- ranging from full public disclosure of
finances to energetic debates in the General Assembly to unflinching support
for a free investigative press. American representatives are to be expected
AS A MATTER OF COURSE to offer frequent press briefings concerning American
policy and international chess events. 5. The United States is to seek
counsel with democratic nations, first and foremost.
We argue that if the United
States were to pursue a well-formulated and energetically advanced Action
Program in international chess, we could effect
major FIDE reforms within 12 to 18 months. Here is a preliminary four-point
program: 1. America is to carry on
extensive consultations with other advanced chess nations concerning an
Agenda for Change which is to include formation of a FIDE "security
council" of both permanent and rotating members. Permanent members will
each have a veto over all FIDE actions. 2. America is to establish an
Association of Advanced Chess Nations (or call it what you will) within FIDE.
Our natural hunting grounds for members in such a group among the democracies
of Western Europe and the emerging nations of the former Soviet empire. Our
representatives are to pursue this project energetically, telling these
countries -- if necessary -- that our future membership in FIDE will likely
depend on successful reform. There are to be no winking of eyes and no
private assurances that this new mood in America need only be weathered or a
few months. 3. Our American representatives
are to present an already prepared Action Program to be used as a BASIS FOR
DISCUSSION among fellow members of the proposed Association. This program is
to be formulated by the Policy Board after receiving input from different
sources. While our diplomats are to fight for this program, they may
compromise when absolutely necessary. (Threatened anti-American speeches do
not constitute an adequate excuse to cut and run.) 4. Members of the proposed
Association -- with our American representatives at the forefront -- are to
engage in "vigorously frank diplomacy" (another Dulles phrase) with
members of the General Assembly. The point will be made that unless the Third
World members accept reform, the Western democracies
will first withdraw active support for all FIDE projects and will within a
short period of time begin planning for a new organization. Q: Where
do you stand on drug testing? Are you prepared to destroy the careers of
those who will not take drug tests? Are you prepared to acquiesce in such
destruction? Are you prepared to participate in enforcing such regulations by
blackballing American players who will not sign testing waivers for team
events? A: There is a lot of material on this issue so I
will try to keep my answer short. Being elected does not give me a mandate to
do what I want on your behalf. I have no intention of imposing my personal
views and agenda about this issue on the organization. I will advocate the
membership’s direction in this regard. I am therefore displeased that I have
heard nothing more about the proposed survey to the players on this topic. We
are told the USCF cares about its players; therefore we need to find the most
balanced approach to this issue. I agree. My personal views are that any type of drug
testing is inappropriate for recreational or league chess. For professional chess I will defer to the view
of the Association of Chess Professionals on this matter. I have written
GM Lautier to find out what is the ACP
position on anti-doping testing in chess. For
players who have chosen to be chess athletes and to compete in Olympic
movement activities I would support drug testing. I am familiar with the FIDE
anti-doping regulations as well as WADA’s out of competition doping control
program. It is important to note that athletes can be selected for doping control
at any time, anywhere. I believe the point of contention is centered on
allowing players a choice. Just because one is a FIDE National Chess
Federation you should not be required to have anti-doping controls in all
your activities. Just because one participates in any FIDE competition should
not constitute a decision to also be an international Olympic competitor or
athlete. Thus I would continue to urge FIDE and the USCF to limit testing
only to events where it is absolutely essential for qualification into the
Olympic Games. Pending
membership input on the subject, I support the official (yet un-enforced)
USCF position which states: DM01-07 NDM 01-117 (Substitute for ADM01-61) - Joel Benjamin (NY), Mike Goodall (CA/N) - The Delegates believe that drug testing
is unnecessary in chess and urge FIDE to limit testing only to events where
it is absolutely essential for qualification into the Olympic Games. PASSED. DM01-10 ADM01-64 - Bill Goichberg (NY), and Joel
Benjamin (NY) - USCF's FIDE representatives are instructed to actively
campaign at all FIDE meetings against the practice of requiring drug testing
at any chess tournament or match. PASSED Rather
than continuing to deal with this issue off the cuff, we really need a well
defined plan and strategy on how to address the issue of drug testing as well
as FIDE. Though I find it a bit impractical (as there is no plan), I’m
generally in support of EB 04-35: "The Executive Board votes no
confidence in FIDE's recent policies and leadership, specifically the
fast-play knockout World Championship, drug testing in chess, and the
Presidency of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
The USCF Executive Board and its FIDE representatives will work with other
FIDE members to replace the current FIDE President and reverse his mistaken
policies." If no progress is made I would suggest that at the annual
meeting in August, the USCF board display some moral strength and engage in a
serious discussion concerning dropping its' support for FIDE. Supporting musical chairs within the
leadership of FIDE will change little. The key will be to have a detailed
reform plan and then to form a coalition toward implementation of true FIDE
reform regardless of current leadership. From a Fresh Start to a New Dawn |