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| Europe |
| Europeâs role in any action over Iraq |
| 2003-01-30 |
| Letters to the Editor in the London Times. From Lieutenant-General Sir Martin Garrod Sir, Almost every day as we open our newspapers, listen to the radio or watch television we are subjected to a stream of anti-American, anti-President George Bush and now anti-Tony Blair diatribes. Unfortunately the faint-hearted views of some in our country and those in our fellow European countries could well bring about what they profess to be against â an actual war with Iraq. Mr Blair has demonstrated fine leadership in this whole affair, and it is a matter of regret that his party, and the whole country, is not united behind him. It is also unfortunate that many of the countries of Europe are demonstrating such a lack of support. If Saddam Hussein could see no daylight between any of the governments of the Western world, he would be further deterred and might indeed back down. But if he detects that Europe is not united, and is not standing shoulder to shoulder with the US, then he will surely take comfort and be strengthened, with an increased likelihood of conflict. Secondly, I believe that the next few months, perhaps weeks, could prove to be a watershed in the relations between the US and Europe. If Europe, with the exception of the UK, does not stand alongside the US and Saddam Hussein is toppled by the US and the UK, then I cannot see how the relations between the US and Europe will be restored. Similarly, if things âdo not go rightâ in the confrontation with Iraq, for whatever reason, and if any blame is attributed to the countries of Europe, then again, I fear that relations between the US and Europe will be severely damaged. Some of our own bien pensants, and our European allies, should remember that they owe their security and comfortable lifestyle to the US. For, without the military might and the determination of the US, they would now be living under a Nazi or a Stalinist regime. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, MARTIN GARROD, From Professor Eric Moonman Sir, Donald Rumsfeld says France and Germany still represent the âold Europeâ, and I take it he refers to the exclusive, insular attitude between the two countries with complete disregard for the rest of Europe, including the UK. Yet who in this country will disagree with Rumsfeldâs comments, particularly as we have paid a substantial price twice in the last century to rescue Europe from disaster? Britain, mercifully, is shaking off the old European exclusiveness, preparing to act over Iraq whilst France and Germany hold back and urge no action. With Zimbabwe, France will entertain Mr Mugabe, putting its own interests above all moral and African concerns. The arguments by your correspondents for not going to war over Iraq are not all that different from the correspondence in The Times in 1938-39 opposed to Britain confronting Nazi Germany. But then, who learns from history? Yours sincerely, ERIC MOONMAN, Thank you, gentlemen. |
| Posted by:Steve |