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[Previous entry: "Operation Northern Exit"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Bevvies all round"] 18 July 2003: "In which objectivity goes out the window"
Via 'arry 'atchet I came upon Tony Blair's speech to Congress. Harry has some fine commentary, but it rather pales next to some of the extremely powerful language in Blair's speech.
There is a myth that though we love freedom, others don't; that our attachment to freedom is a product of our culture; that freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law are American values, or Western values; that Afghan women were content under the lash of the Taliban; that Saddam was somehow beloved by his people; that Milosevic was Serbia's savior.Okay, let's be brutally honest, this just isn't happening in the countries in question, not with Ashcroft at the DoJ and with Blunkett at the Home Office, but damn that's some inspiring rhetoric. If the governments of our various nations would take it to heart, well, in the words of Donald Sutherland as "Oddball" in Kelly's Heroes, Oh, wow. So many positive waves, maybe we can't lose!At least as, if not more, magnificent is Blair's effort at patching the "Transatlantic Rift" while subtly chiding American (and other) Europhobes (while simultaneously chiding European Americanophobes): There is no more dangerous theory in international politics than that we need to balance the power of America with other competitive powers; different poles around which nations gather. Such a theory may have made sense in 19th-century Europe. It was perforce the position in the Cold War. Today, it is an anachronism to be discarded like traditional theories of security. And it is dangerous because it is not rivalry but partnership we need; a common will and a shared purpose in the face of a common threat.Look, read it all. With every paragraph, I feel the urge increasing to bear this man's children (yeah, he's got three already, and I don't have a womb, but it's the thought that counts). This bit is particular music to my ears: To be a serious partner, Europe must take on and defeat the anti-Americanism that sometimes passes for its political discourse. And what America must do is show that this is a partnership built on persuasion, not command. Then the other great nations of our world and the small will gather around in one place, not many. And our understanding of this threat will become theirs. And the United Nations can then become what it should be: an instrument of action as well as debate.If there was ever a reason for Britain to be a Permanent Member of the Security Council, Tony Blair is it (as long as he retains his speechwriters). |
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