Fine words must translate to action

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | February 26, 2005

[NCjim]

The United States of America and the uniting states of Europe are the two richest, most democratic and most powerful entities on Earth. The split within the European Union over Iraq, and persisting tensions in the trans-Atlantic relationship, do not diminish their unrivalled capacity to influence global affairs. What is at issue is the manner in which threats are perceived and confronted, not the core democratic values which define the West. The aggressive, go-it-alone style of President George Bush's first term was the very antithesis of the cumbersome consensus-building required within the 25-nation EU. However, Mr Bush's lauded visit to Europe this week was clear acknowledgement that neither side can afford to let the trans-Atlantic relationship slide. And that requires much more than nostalgia for the camaraderie of last century's fight against fascism and the Cold War stand-off which followed.

Whether trans-Atlantic co-operation can be turned effectively to a daunting global agenda depends on mutual compromise. Washington invaded Iraq with all the confidence of its military superiority. The bloody quagmire more than two years on makes a persuasive case for broader international co-operation in resolving conflicts. The EU held out a symbolic olive branch this week, with a deal to train Iraqi security forces. But the US and Britain will continue to carry most of the military burden, with no viable exit strategy in sight. The Iraq invasion triggered some very real soul-searching in Europe. If the EU was unable to act in unison - or even to restrain France from publicly trading insults with Washington - how could it expect to exert influence elsewhere? And it wasn't long ago that Europe was so inadequately prepared for post-Cold War conflict that the US had to bail it out of the Balkans, in its own backyard. Efforts since to forge a common foreign policy and to build a pan-European rapid response force suggest the EU is willing to take more responsibility beyond its borders. Its swift diplomatic response to the Ukraine crisis, and the recent EU initiative on Iran, signal a more unified, proactive Europe which Washington cannot ignore.

How the US and the EU manage the emerging nuclear crisis in Iran is an immediate test of the substance of this week's diplomatic gladhanding. As is the message Mr Bush took to Moscow, the final stop on his tour, that Washington and Brussels are both concerned about the erosion of Russian democracy. The global agenda is vast; there is international terrorism, nuclear proliferation, failing states, poverty, transnational crime and HIV/AIDS, for a start. A stronger Europe, allied with a more accommodating United States, is a far more desirable scenario than an alienated European "counterweight", undermining American power.

[MEG33]

"And that requires much more than nostalgia for the camaraderie of last century's fight against fascism and the Cold War stand-off which followed"

Nostalgia? I remember the huge demonstrations in Europe against missiles and against Reagan(80s)..I have a good memory. I remember when France withdrew from NATO (60s)and kicked our troops out,too..I know one of Germany's leaders was part of the leftist extremist.(Fischer)(70s)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1107628.stm
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, of the Green Party, is an exception to the rule in German politics - he is witty, has star quality, and he courts controversy.

Early in 2001, his career faced a crisis over his activities as a militant left-wing activist in the 1970s.
snip

[Savage Beast]

"Neither side can afford to let the trans-Atlantic relationship slide."

True. And we should not. However:

"If the EU was unable to act in unison...how could it expect to exert influence elsewhere?"

Indeed. Europeans lack the will and the clarity to survive. How can they be depended upon for anything?

[MEG33]

This editorial is from the liberal, usually anti American SMH..They simply want the anti war Europeans to have a trump card against us.

[filbert]

Any editorial which includes both "quagmire" and "exit strategy" can safely be ignored, if not ridiculed for its lack of understanding of the post-9/11 world.