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| Down Under |
| PM Howard Blasts "Old Europe" At Global Bitch Fest |
| 2005-01-30 |
| JOHN Howard has lashed out at "old Europe", describing criticism of the US as "unfair and irrational", as global tensions grow over the Iraq war and free trade. During a vigorous panel debate on US global relations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, several European officials attacked President George W. Bush's Iraq policy, but Mr Howard stood up to defend his ally. Earlier in the summit, Mr Howard attacked the European Union over the reintroduction of wheat export subsidies, which he said harmed underdeveloped nations and were contrary to free trade. "Some of the criticism (of the US) by some of the Europeans is unfair and irrational," the Prime Minister said in the panel debate, organised by Britain's BBC TV. Nice to have a friend and a true ally. "I mean, the negative mindset of the last five minutes (of this debate) is ridiculous — of course America has made mistakes," he said. Later Mr Howard told The Australian he found the European "irrational level of anti-Americanism" perplexing. "It is a sign of parochialism and it is disturbingly intense." He said the BBC debate "was based on an anti-American mindset which was established right at the beginning by the moderators from the BBC". Mr Howard said anti-Americanism had already affected world co-operation. "But it is very important to remember it is confined to sectors of Europe — not all Europeans . . . There remains in Britain some of the old jealousies that have always been there. I found the French and German attitude has lingered longer than I thought it might, and longer than is in anyone's interests." Attacking Europe over its reintroduction of wheat export subsidies, Mr Howard urged the US not to follow suit. "Nothing would help underdeveloped countries more than the removal of trade subsidies and trade barriers. "If the nations of Europe and North America ... really wanted to help many of the developing countries, then they could do more to help in changing their trade polices than they could through official development assistance." |
| Posted by:Duke Nukem |
| #9 They had several carriers (CVEs, but that's more than anyone beside US and UK had), 2 or 3 cruisers, a dozen or two destroyers, and a whole pile of escort ships, from frigates and sloops down to corvettes and sub-chasers. Of course, it's kind of artificial in that I chose 1945, when Japan, Italy, and Germany were stripped of their navies, and the USSR and France had lost theirs combat or overrun by the Germans. In 1944, they were probably 4th. And of course, by 1950, they were 7th or so. Still... Back then, they realized that they were at war and were willing to make sacrifices to win it. Now, they don't and aren't. I don't expect Canada to be able to match our effort, but would 1/10 be too much to ask? |
| Posted by: jackal 2005-01-30 9:49:27 PM |
| #8 Corvettes protecting shipping from U boats? |
| Posted by: Matt 2005-01-30 8:45:00 PM |
| #7 It might be interesting to figure why Canada once had the 3rd largest Navy..... :) |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-01-30 8:33:03 PM |
| #6 Stephen: I hope that your comparison doesn't go too far. 60 years ago, Canada had the 3rd largest navy, a real Army (as in multiple combat-capable infantry and armor divisions), and an air force with the latest equipment. I sure hope Canada 2005 <> Australia 2065. |
| Posted by: jackal 2005-01-30 7:46:55 PM |
| #5 Tom, A more pointed comparison is: Australia-19 million people,Canada-31 million people. |
| Posted by: Stephen 2005-01-30 6:45:27 PM |
| #4 One salient difference France v. Howard & OZ is that France has proven repeatedly that they are whores who can be bought. |
| Posted by: Duke Nukem 2005-01-30 6:21:35 PM |
| #3 Amen, Matt & Tom. Howard & Oz rock. |
| Posted by: .com 2005-01-30 3:45:30 PM |
| #2 Australia: 19 million people. France: 59 million people. Difference as "Allies": Priceless. |
| Posted by: Tom 2005-01-30 3:38:53 PM |
| #1 With Howard as PM, the Ozzies punch so far above their weight class that it's absurd, an example being their recent first-on-the-scene performance in the tsunami relief effort. ("The UN? Oh, I expect they'll get here eventually. Have some food.") It's hard to remember sometimes that in terms of population Australia is smaller than Iraq by several millions. |
| Posted by: Matt 2005-01-30 3:29:09 PM |