Posted on 11/16/2004 12:41:40 PM PST by knighthawk
The Wall Street Journal Europe in Brussells praises John Howard for not singing in tune with the arafatuous chorus
ONE of the few exceptions to the words of adulation occasioned by Yasser Arafat's death and funeral last week came from the Asia-Pacific. It was yet one more example of how lucky the region is to include Australia, where hypocrisy has never been a virtue, even among the political class.
Indeed, Prime Minister John Howard's words posed a stark contrast to other official statements from Asia and the world.
"I think history will judge him very harshly for not having seized the opportunity ... to embrace the offer that was very courageously made by the then Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak," Howard said of Arafat.
These sentiments veer sharply from Chinese President Hu Jintao's assessment of Arafat as an "outstanding leader of the Palestinian cause", and official statements from Malaysia and Indonesia hailing Arafat as a "great leader" and "hero to us all", respectively. Such eulogising blends well against the backdrop of the UN's flags flying half-mast Thursday as a tribute, despite the fact that Palestine has only observer status at the UN.
Lionising a leader who espoused violence does the Middle East a great disservice. If only more Asian regional leaders could have grasped this in the way of some of their more forthright counterparts Down Under.
Ping
I get moved by arafat----
right to the toilet!
I don't know a whole lot about Mr. Howard, but from what I have heard and seen he seems like a very decent person. Decent people do not support evil.
The Left in this country and in the world is now so far out of it, they make Clinton look like a right-winger.
Arafat's legacy can be summed up in two kilos of plastique mixed with screws, ball bearings, and human fecal matter, with a blasting cap sticking out of it.
Howard is a good man...God bless Australia.
I'm glad Mr Howard is on our side...
I am also so moved..
Isn't it ridiculous how often in the same paragraph the MSM will simultaneously praise Arafat and then remark how his death represents an opportunity for peace? If he was so great, why did he have to die before peace had a chance?
Howard is a good chap. He backed W 100%. Kerry's sis lives in Australia (Oz) and was campaign for the liberal running against Howard.
The polls in Oz showed a neck and neck race. Howard won by a big margin plus his conservative party gained a ton of seats in the Aussie senate. The IslmoFacists are making Oz a more conservative country but socially it is somewhat liberal.
Honest to God... I thought it was gas!!!
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