How bout this for foreign allies
World leaders rushed to congratulate US President George W. Bush on his re-election to a second four-year term and pledged cooperation with Washington to heal deep divisions over a host of international issues, notably Iraq and the Middle East. In Brussels, the European Union's executive arm extended "warm congratulations" to Bush on his re-election and pledged Europe's renewed commitment to the transatlantic link.I especially like this quote:
"The Americans have made a clear choice," Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Monteiro told national news agency Lusa. "For Portugal there is no change. We would work with any US administration although with this one we have come to establish a very close working relationship."It is an interesting conjecture, whether or not Bush will attract more foriegn allies with his steadfastness, than Kerry would have with his concilliation and friendship. In foreign affairs, what it all comes down to is self-interest. One thing that no nation is interested in is taking a risk and being left hanging. It will be interesting to see if anything substantial develops from the various kind words of leaders around the globe.
posted by Dave Justus | 11/05/2004 02:43:00 PM
3 Comments:
Hmmmm,
Will Blair be impeached? I wait with breath bated but not held. "The Party" will close ranks on that one.
Will Australia get the FTA it wants? No. It will get what the US wants to give them, when they feel like it.
Remember the kind words that John Howard said about Bush before the election? Why did he say anything? John, you got some bad news coming I suspect. Like conceivably a full renunciation of the agreement on the grounds that it should not have been signed. Its happened before...
I doubt Blair will be impeached, if it did happen I would personally be very saddened as I think he is a great leader.
As to the Australian FTA, I have only been following that very peripherally. From what I have seen, I expect something to pass, whether it will be exactly what Australia wants or not I don't know. Trade agreements usually involve compromises on both sides.
To the best of my knowledge, one of the few things that Bush hasn't been accused of is screwing over his allies.
"One thing he doesn't screw over...allies"?
MMmmmHuh!
Nothing has been released as yet on the Aussie FTA.
The rumour mill is running so hot that the bearings are close to melting.
The very big fear is that the delay in the initialling of the FTA is because on the US side the beef lobby will not like it, and on the Aussie side that the FTA will exclude beef.
And remember then that the FTA has to get through Congress before becoming ratified. Will the beef lobby let it go through if it allows the entry of large quantities of duty free Aussie beef?
And, girls, I am not talking AFL or ARL players here... this is cattle type beef? For the table?
I think that (not the first but a prominent) screw-over is about to happen.
Post a Comment
<< Home