Embattled religious freedom envoy the new `iron lady'

WASHINGTON (RNS) The Obama administration's embattled nominee for
religious freedom ambassador is comparing herself to former British
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as she tries for a second time to land
the post.


"They called Margaret Thatcher the `iron lady,"' the Rev. Suzan
Johnson Cook said Tuesday (April 5) in an address to a dinner of
religious liberty advocates. "Change the name. It's mine now."


Cook was nominated for the post last June but her nomination stalled
and expired in December. President Obama renominated her in February
after critics complained the longtime vacancy reflected a low priority
for the issue.


Critics, including some on Capitol Hill, have questioned whether the
retired New York City pastor lacks enough direct experience to help
guide policy on an issue that's at the heart of numerous international
conflicts.


"This will go down in the Guinness Book of World Records as the
longest nomination," she said. "But we thank God to just be in the
number."


Cook was introduced by the legislative affairs director of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church, who said attendees hope she will be the
next ambassador. As she did at her recent Senate confirmation hearings,
Cook recounted her international travels and work after 9/11 as a New
York police chaplain.


The Baptist minister known as "Dr. Sujay" retired in 2009 as pastor
of a Bronx, N.Y., church she founded in 1996.


In her address to some 200 ambassadors, lawmakers and church
leaders, Cook mentioned recent examples of religious turmoil, including
the "arrogant" assassins who killed Pakistan's Christian minister for
religious minorities. She called a Florida church's recent burning of a
Quran -- which led to deadly riots in Afghanistan -- a "despicable act."


Without singling out any country by name, Cook said governments
often give lip service to religious freedom while also taking steps to
limit it. "Laws are too often broken by their own governments," she
said, "and their people suffer."


Cook said U.S. diplomacy on religious freedom should involve not
just forging relations with government officials but working with
religious leaders abroad who can help influence political leaders.


"The front lines demand strategic action, not emotional nor
reactionary tactics, but strategic, prayerful action," Cook said.
"Either we deal with it now or fundamental extremists can fill the power
vacuums where regions have lacked democratic institutions."