You mean Gump Worsley?
Don't ask me how I remembered that.
Posted on 03/25/2003 11:00:58 AM PST by albertabound
Says he's being led by popularity polls Goodwill with U.S. being squandered
VALERIE LAWTON OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA—Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's stand against joining the invasion of Iraq shows he's a follower, not a leader, says Brian Mulroney, warning that Liberal "anti-Americanism" has poisoned Canada-U.S. relations.
In a scathing assessment of the government's handling of the Iraq crisis, Mulroney, the former Tory prime minister, said Chrétien has abandoned long-standing allies such as the United States and Britain.
"At a crucial, seminal moment in our history, we have repudiated our allies and our coalition partners of the past," he said in an interview broadcast on Global Television yesterday.
"We have new partners: the Russians, the Chinese and the Germans," he said on the program Ottawa Inside Out. "This represents quite a change and I want to tell you I am one of many Canadians who ... regrets it profoundly."
Although a clear majority of 60 per cent say they object to the military move by U.S. President George W. Bush, 35 per cent of Canadians back him, support that rose during the week.
But most Canadians agree with Chrétien's decision not to take part in a campaign to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein without approval of the United Nations Security Council, a Star poll reported Saturday.
The poll, conducted for the Star and the Montreal newspaper La Presse by EKOS Research Associates, found a majority of respondents everywhere except Alberta backed Chrétien's decision; 71 per cent of those polled backed the decision by the Liberal government, with 27 per cent registering their disapproval.
EKOS found the greatest support for the Liberal position in Quebec, and found those most fervently opposed Chrétien's position lived in Alberta.
Mulroney argued that Chrétien's policies are being dictated by whatever will fly best in popularity polls.
"But just because something is popular doesn't mean it's right. This is a classic example of followership, not leadership," said the former prime minister, who acknowledged many of his own decisions were unpopular at the time.
He drew on the works of the 13th-century Italian poet Dante to condemn Chrétien's neutrality.
"Mr. Chrétien should remember that line from Dante that says the hottest place in hell is reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis strive to preserve neutrality," he said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- `This is a classic example of followership, not leadership.' -Brian Mulroney, former PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We are not a neutral nation," he insisted. "We are a nation that believes in freedom and democracy and has defined it all of this time."
The Liberals once criticized Mulroney for having an overly cozy relationship with then-president Ronald Reagan. Now he's accusing Chrétien of doing just the opposite.
"The poison of anti-Americanism is more prevalent in the Liberal caucus today, or the Liberal government today, probably than at any time in our history."
He pointed to a number of recent incidents — the then-communications director to Chrétien who told a reporter that Bush is "a moron," a Liberal MP who called Americans "bastards," and a minister who said the president has failed to act like a statesman.
He also criticized Chrétien for not personally calling U.S. President George W. Bush to break the news that Canada would not be part of the U.S. led invasion of Iraq.
All of that will hamper Canadian efforts to resolve bilateral problems such as trade disputes and border issues, he said.
"We need the goodwill of the American Congress and the American president and we are doing everything, it seems to me, that ... we possibly can to squander the reservoir of goodwill that was built up over the years."
The situation is especially worrying given U.S. domination in world affairs, he said.
"In this unipolar world that has existed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, all roads lead to Washington ...
"If you want to live in Disney World, you can believe something else."
Mulroney's close ties with the U.S. presidency continue to this day. A few months ago he was invited to a meeting in the Oval Office, where he said he and the president and vice-president talked about terrorism and the situation in Iraq.
Chrétien's director of communications, Jim Munson, reacted cautiously to Mulroney's criticisms.
"The Prime Minister is not only reflecting public opinion, he's leading public opinion," he said, declining further comment.
Chrétien's stance on Iraq has received strong support from his Liberal caucus. All but two of his MPs — David Pratt, who chairs the Commons defence committee, and David Price — gave him a standing ovation when he announced Canada wouldn't join the U.S.-led campaign.
_________________ "I call my philosophy and approach compassionate conservatism. It is compassionate to actively help our fellow citizens in need. It is conservative to insist on responsibility and results." — PRESIDENT GW BUSH
hiti Member
Joined: 07 Jan 2001 Posts: 8990 Location: Mid-West Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:20 am
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Juvenile' Liberals criticized By STEPHANIE RUBEC, OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien has led Canada to unseen levels of "juvenile" anti-American grandstanding, says Brian Mulroney.
"We're doing everything we possibly can to squander the reservoir of good will that was built up over the years," the former PM said yesterday.
Mulroney said the latest Chretien gaffe was failing to personally call Bush to explain Canada's position on Iraq.
"If the Prime Minister of Canada fails to understand that his most important foreign policy dimension ... is the refurbishing of the relationship with the United States of America, and the maintenance of a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the presidents of the United States, then he's failing himself, his government and Canada," he said.
Mulroney said Chretien also hurt Canada-U.S. relations by failing to crack down on the recent surge in his caucus of anti-American sentiment.
Last month MP Carolyn Parrish said she hated American "bastards" and only last week Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal called Bush a failed statesman.
"I think this is juvenile delinquency elevated to Parliamentary proportions," Mulroney said.
He also criticized Canadians who compare Bush to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
"You would really have to be foolish to think for a second that there is any moral equivalency between the United States and Iraq, or the president of the United States and the outgoing president of Iraq. This is loony tunes," he said.
_________________ "I call my philosophy and approach compassionate conservatism. It is compassionate to actively help our fellow citizens in need. It is conservative to insist on responsibility and results." — PRESIDENT GW BUSH
Ipberg Member
Joined: 07 Jan 2001 Posts: 4186 Location: Calgary Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 10:33 am
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope to hear the present PCPC leader and leadership candidates say
Great big BUMP to the top!
The Quebecois are a tumor on the butt of Canada. Perhaps, after France has suffered its "Great Depression" from US consumer boycott, the "Quebecer's" can afford to buy France and move back.
(Well, one can dream!)
The Left in Canada are betting on the other, anti-American, side of future world conditions. They think it is the US that should smooch Canada's bum.
You mean Gump Worsley?
Don't ask me how I remembered that.
I took a peek at the site. A lot of wishful thinking, but also some excellent food for thought. One can dream.
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