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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lorne who wrote (1306)	1/31/2005 6:54:25 AM
From: lorne	Respond to of 224718

John Howard blasts 'irrational' Europeans By Robert Gottliebsen and John Kerin January 31, 2005 news.com.au JOHN Howard has lashed out at "old Europe", describing criticism of the US as "unfair and irrational", as global tensions grow over the Iraq war and free trade. During a vigorous panel debate on US global relations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, several European officials attacked President George W. Bush's Iraq policy, but Mr Howard stood up to defend his ally. Earlier in the summit, Mr Howard attacked the European Union over the reintroduction of wheat export subsidies, which he said harmed underdeveloped nations and were contrary to free trade. "Some of the criticism (of the US) by some of the Europeans is unfair and irrational," Mr Howard said in the panel debate, organised by Britain's BBC TV. "I mean the negative mindset of the last five minutes (of this debate) is ridiculous - of course America has made mistakes," he said. Later Mr Howard told The Australian he found the European "irrational level of anti-Americanism" perplexing. Advertisement: "It is a sign of parochialism and it is disturbingly intense." He said the BBC debate "was based on an anti-American mindset which was established right at the beginning by the moderators from the BBC". Mr Howard said anti-Americanism had already affected world co-operation. "But is very important to remember it is confined to sectors of Europe - not all Europeans. In that debate there was a significantly different tone taken by the Latvian President to that taken by the German and other contributors," Mr Howard said. "The British have a different view through their Government, but there remains in Britain some of the old jealousies that have always been there. "I found the French and German attitude has lingered longer than I thought it might, and longer than is in anyone's interests." Attacking Europe over its reintroduction of wheat export subsidies, Mr Howard urged the US not to follow suit. "Nothing would help underdeveloped countries more than the removal of trade subsidies and trade barriers. "If the nations of Europe and North America ... really wanted to help many of the developing countries, then they could do more to help in changing their trade polices than they could through official development assistance," Mr Howard said. EU and US exporters face increased competition from cheaper grain from Argentina and former Soviet countries that have swelled the global output. If the US tries to match the EU, analysts fear this could extend the slump in grain prices, which fell to a 20-month low in the US last week. Mr Howard also held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kahrrazi over efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure Tehran abandons its nuclear program. "We obviously expressed our concern about the nuclear issue, and we talked on Iraq. He supports the democratic process in Iraq and was more positive about the likely election turnout than many have been," Mr Howard said.