Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - June 17, 2004, Winnipeg, Manitoba The View associate editor a15 from newest John Sullivan 697-7293 Winnipeg free press a forum for ideas and opinion thursday june17, 2004 a Wolf in compassionate conservative clothing i to not often that Canadian politics Are a heated topic of discussion among americans. But last week during a series of meetings in new York i found myself peppered with questions about our Federal election and the significance of the conservative Challenge to the governing Liberal party. What was of particular interest to my . Companions was whether the upsurge in support for the Stephen Harper forces represents a turning of canadians towards the political views of George w. Bush and a repudiation of the anti Iraq War stance taken by Jean Chr Tien a govern ment. It appears that right Wing commentators in the United states ? while chagrined at the defeat of the Spanish government that supported the War As Well As the War inspired political woes of Tony Blair in great Britain ? Are latching on to the Rise of the Canadian conservative party As an endorsement of the Iraq invasion and other Bush Type policies by their North american Neighbour. I tried to explain that there were other factors particular to our political scene at play such As a natural tendency to change a party Long in Power and the Impact of the sponsorship imbroglio. Then it struck me that these americans in an important sense just May have it right. Perhaps the Canadian election needs to be viewed through a wider prism than self contained self interested Domestic concerns. We Are an integral part of a global system and what we do and the choices we make on june 28 will influence the views and actions of others. Certainly if our election is seen As an endorsement of military intervention As a Way of imposing peace and Security ? a Clear turning away from multilateral solutions through the in ? then that will Only strengthen the position of those in the . Who defend the preemptive strategy of president Bush As exemplified by his Iraq policy. Similarly if a new Canadian govern ment tears up our commitment to the Kyoto agreement As or. Harper threatens to do then All those in the United states and elsewhere who deny the importance of global warming As an Issue of immense significance will derive great Succour from our Retreat As an advocate of International environmental agreements. And if we become totally enmeshed in . Con Canada under a conservative government would re align itself into the ideological Camp of might makes right no International rules allowed Tifental defence policies then our Strong voice on key disarmament questions such As the weapons nation of space will go missing. I think Back to my Days in foreign affairs when critics of the then official opposition Many of whom Are now being touted As potential ministers in a Harper government scorned Cana Dian initiatives to achieve a treaty Banning land mines voted against our participation in the new International criminal court and dismissed our efforts to protect child soldiers As weak kneed soft Power diversions. There was an aversion then to Canadas efforts to build a global order based on rules of Law human rights International co operation and acceptance of responsibility to protect others. One can Only assume that the same holds True today. If so then Canada under a conservative government would re align itself into the ideological Camp of might makes right no International rules allowed. And this would be a loss to those around the world who have looked to Canada to provide Independent Leader ship in opposition to such positions. Ironically there Are signs this hard line unilateralist posture is perhaps being abandoned by its prime advocate the Bush administration. At last weeks g-8 meeting in sea Island Georgia the americans launched a Charm offensive to bring other coun tries on Side in support of a in Resolution for the Transfer of authority to iraqis and to help in the reconstruction of Iraq. There was enlistment of International involvement for a democracy initiative in the Middle East and a commitment to co opera Tive action to fight global diseases. These Are trend lines that need to be encouraged by friends of the . In an Effort to tilt american policy towards More engagement in joint International efforts in the aftermath of Iraq. This is where the liberals under Paul Martin offer a relevant and effective International Strat egy in the Post Iraq War Era one More in keeping with time tested Canadian talents. They want to direct our military expenditures towards a peace building capacity understanding that Security is As much about providing safety for civilians in a Post conflict situations As it is about invasion. Even More important this strategy supports preventive action against the outbreak of violence or conflict in the first place. The liberals seek major collaboration to con tend against aids malaria and polio afflictions that threaten Peoples Well being and Security As much As terrorism. They want to organize a g-20 organization to Deal with vital matters of North South Trade International development and environmental sustainability in a forum More representative and responsive to the interests of developing countries. I be expressed my disagreement with the Deci Sion of the Martin government to pursue negotiations with the . On a missile defence system and am glad they have put off a decision until after the election. This offers time for an open debate in a new parliament. If Given a return mandate by canadians based on a Clear under standing that it would maintain an Independent trajectory in foreign policy i think this move might be reconsidered by a Martin government. This election carries major consequences for canadians and the role we play in the world. Just As my american friends see the Canadian out come As having significance for them in their own debates on Security and internationalism we should see that there is a considerable difference in world View Between the two major parties leading to very different paths for Canada in navigating the International landscape. The stakes Are so High that this should be a major consideration when the ballot is cast. To paraphrase one of my associates at the new York sojourn watch out for the Radical minded Warrior in the compassionate conservatives clothing. We did to in the last election ? and look where it got All of Lloyd Axworthy is president of the University of Winnipeg. He is a former Canadian foreign minister and senior Manitoba my and was most recently ceo of the Liu Centre for global issues at the University of British Columbia. Loose fish and minority governments eran maps who will be at Loose ends in Melville reminds us a Loose fish is fair Tion night 2004, As the faltering Liberal ship Why Don to we. And so on and i n his classic novel moby Dick her the new parliament because they Are game for anybody who can soonest catch Campaign Falls Short of getting a major nausea. Man Melville devoted an entire past their prime and do not expect to be and in a minority parliament there is Ity. The Liberal War room has already what can voters and the leaders of chapter to what he called the Law Given any significant parliamentary a very Strong incentive for the govern identified the Loose fish among the opposition parties do to make sure this of fast fish and Loose fish. It responsibilities. Still others to change ing party especially to catch and secure opposition candidates. And once again scenario does not unfold after the elec deserves the attention of canadians and the analogy May be Lone wolves who As Many of the Loose fish As possible. The question is asked now what could Tion on june 28? first be aware that it Federal political party leaders As they operate largely on their own politically following the Federal election of we offer to. Can happen openly discuss the pos Sibil begin to contemplate the possibility of rather than As part of the caucus or Par August 4, 1963, for example the liberals this time however the question is Ity and think secondly put a minority parliament after june 28. Liam entry pack. Under Lester Pearson elected 128 maps being answered by the practitioners and candidates on the spot during the elec in Seaman Slan in any event All generally fall within just five members Short of a majority. Defenders of contemporary Liberal Tion by asking them to make Clear that Guage a fish Melville a definition of Loose fish ? in that same election the social credit ethics ? the ethics that supported or they will not join a minority Liberal gov alive or dead is not really connected to their constituent party elected 24 maps All but four of condoned the sponsorship scandal Ern ment under any circumstances. Technically fast by party or parliament by any medium them credit stes from Quebec and at Shawin Gate the misuse of Public funds thirdly party leaders identify the Loose when it is con at All controllable by the occupants of least half a dozen of them easily falling at had the Somalia and tainted blood fish in your aquarium and keep a close nested to an occur those boats. Within the definition of Loose fish. Coverups and the blatant abuse of gov watch on them especially late on the pied boat by any normally these Loose fish Are not suppose you were a Fly on the Wall of Ern ment patronage Over the last 10 night of the election and in the Days medium like a much of a Factor in the operations of Par the Liberal War room late on that muggy years. Immediately thereafter. Line or net that is lament or the government. They swim August night As the election results came Why Don to we offer the new member of course the most certain Way to at All controllable around the Periphery of the ministries in. It does to take much imagination to from x the chairmanship of the health make sure that Loose fish Are not Cap by the occupants and the caucuses and the scrums Occa guess the Likely Drift of the thinking and committee and a big office in the Centre tured by Liberal poachers to prop up a of that boat. The signally attracting Media attention for the conversation. Block Why Don to we invite the old Mem minority Martin administration is to Law according to some unusual statement or undertaking we re five seats Short of a majority ? Ber from y to be Canadas permanent elect a majority non Liberal adminis Melville is that a but generally exercising Little influence just five Lousy seats How can we Possi representative to the International traction on june 28. Fast fish belongs to the party fast to it on Public policy or the direction of the Bly pick up five More seats wait a pineapple conference and Send him to a Loose fish is fair game of anybody who government. Minute ? what about some of those their convention in Hawaii next Gebru can soonest catch but in a minority parliament where credit stes they re a pretty Loose Ary Why Don to we get some of our Busi Preston Manning is a former Leader of in every new parliament after a Gen no one party has an absolute majority group and surely some of them would Ness friends with offshore tax shelters to the official opposition in parliament. He eral election there Are always a few and where the life or death of a govern like to be part of a government instead of pay off the mortgage of the member is currently a distinguished visitor at Loose fish among the elected Mem ment May hinge on the support of a few languishing on the opposition Back from a Why Don to we try to get the the University of Calgary and at the uni Bers. Some of these will be newcomers to members the Loose fish suddenly benches. Now what could we offer to. Member from z for future consider varsity of Toronto and a senior fellow the political business with no Long become important indeed and the fast Forward to a quite possible Par tons ? the Promise of a future Senate of the Fraser Institute and the Canada standing ties to their constituents their objects of very special attention. As allele situation late on the evening of elec seat perhaps or maybe an ambassador West foundation. Party or its leaders. Others May be vet Winnipeg free press editorial Board members Are Nicholas Hirst Terence Moore Gerald flood Catherine Mitchell Tom Oleson cartoonist Dale Cummings submissions to the View from the West Are Welcome. Contact associate editor John Sullivan 204 697-7293 / ;