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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Scumbria who wrote (133545)	2/25/2001 4:59:57 PM
From: stribe30	Respond to of 1580130

Editorial: Blair's Influence Needed To Slow Missile Defence From the Toronto Star British Prime Minister Tony Blair had high praise for the transatlantic partnership between Canada, Britain and the United States on his whistlestop in Ottawa yesterday en route to Washington. And he had kind words for Canada's reputation as a country that seeks to promote a democratic, peaceful, prosperous world. ``When we are told the Canadians are in on the act, whatever the forum for decision, there's a sense of relief, the clouds part a little, the confidence grows,'' he told Parliament on his first official visit. ``People know that your word is your bond. And what's more, what you do, you do well. And it's not a bad reputation to have. And well done. Keep it for always.'' Let's hope Prime Minister Jean Chrétien lived up to that reputation by urging Blair not to pander too eagerly to U.S. President George W. Bush's enthusiasm for missile defence, or to Republican unilateralist tendencies. Blair is expected to call an election soon. So he's anxious to play the statesman by reaffirming the ``special relationship'' Britain claims to enjoy with the U.S., even as Bush busies himself with Mexico, Canada and his own hemispheric backyard. Indeed the British press have speculated that Blair will quietly tell Bush that he's prepared to co-operate on missile defences, no questions asked. Yet Americans themselves are split on the missile shield. It's a costly, unproved, possibly unnecessary technology that threatens arms control. It's arguably the most divisive issue facing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Many NATO countries are deeply skeptical. And the Russians and Chinese are fiercely opposed. In short, the program is trouble with a capital T. American diplomats are scrambling to contain the damage. The rest of NATO may soon be, as well. Rather than play ready-aye-ready to Washington, Blair would make better use of his ``special relationship'' to ask some pointed questions. Missile defence looks like more trouble than it's worth. This is one case where Canadians are not ``in on the act.'' Not by a long shot. Not before we know where this particular act may carry us. thestar.com