Europe steps up criticism of US

[DanS]

Well, often they're annonymous, so you don't know fully. But in the Iran blank check case it was from either the Foreign Minister, somebody quite close to the Foreign Minister, or Khatami himself.

Let me see if I can find the Russian message...

[DanS]

Hmmm... The only thing I can find is a Reuters report. I thought The Post did a larger article about it, but perhaps I misremember...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20479-2002Feb4.html

[Saint Marcus]

From the BBC:

A senior European Union official has criticised the United States for pursuing an "absolutist and simplistic" foreign policy.
EU external affairs commissioner Chris Patten said in an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper that European governments should speak up before the US went into "unilateralist overdrive".

Chris Patten: Even if you're the greatest superpower in the world, you cannot do it all on your own.

Mr Patten said President Bush's characterisation of Iran, Iraq and North Korea as an "axis of evil" was "unhelpful", adding, "I find it hard to believe that's a thought-through policy".

He said the European policy of "constructive dialogue" with Iran was more likely to bring results than an American approach which consisted of "more rhetoric than substance".

There has been a recent revival of relations between Iran and the West, with the EU hoping that by engaging with Iran, it can encourage the reformers in the Iranian government and improve human rights.

In September last year, EU leaders and Iran discussed proposals for a trade and co-operation agreement in the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the 1979 Islamic revolution

Growing rift

The EU's approach contrasts sharply with that of the United States, which has sought to isolate Iran internationally.

Mr Patten told the newspaper America's policy undermined the EU's efforts towards Iran and North Korea.

Chris Patten: The US is preoccupied with fighting terrorism

"There is more to be said for trying to engage and to draw these societies into the international community than to cut them off," he said.

The EU commissioner questioned whether an "axis of evil" existed at all, saying there was no evidence the three countries were co-operating in developing weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Patten criticised the United States for focusing more on wiping out terrorism than trying to eradicate its causes.

The former British governor to Hong Kong said it was more important to provide assistance for underdeveloped states

"We know... how important it is to handle failed states properly - and to prevent them failing in the first place.

Relations have been warming between the EU and Iran

"We have realised that we have to tackle 'the root causes of terrorism and violence', he said, adding that "smart bombs have their place but smart development assistance seems to me even more significant," he said.

Mr Patten's comments come a day after French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin called on the US not to resort to unilateralism or become fixated with the war against terrorism.

[Saint Marcus]

Harsh words. It's the first time European officials condemned US' policies that harshly. Calling them absolutist, simplistic, a threath, unhelpful, not thought through, more rhetoric than substance, a mistake, an election ploy, etc

Go Europe!

[rah]

Gee, it just sounds like the same type of rhetoric, that they're accusing the US of.

RAH

[Chris 62]

JohnT had the best quote, right from the start.

Europe is just sooooo helpful in world affairs.

They couldn't handle the Balkan problem, so they begged (yes, begged) for US airpower to do it for them.

A dead jew is unfortunate, a dead Palestinian is an insult to humanity, and must be the USA's fault.

France has major economic ties to Iran, and will sell anything to anyone, as would Germany.

Does either country have any morals or scruples at all?

Not if their past records are taken into account.

Go ahead and pullout, they have been looking for the door since day one (9/11).

We will handle the burden, same as always.

[Comrade Tribune]

Originally posted by Roland
Problem 1: Preaching morality and acting like a whore hurts your credibility. Even worse if you suffer enough delusion to believe your own propaganda.

But if all this finally cracks up the US pseudo-protectorate over europe, fine with me.

OK, I have recently come over to your viewpoint. The alliance with the US is unsalvageable.

This discussion was the last straw. I assume Polytoner Americans to be slightly more enlightened than the general American public. What I hear from them has convinced me that a majority of Americans suffer from a sort of media-induced mass insanity. It is unsafe to be their ally.

[Saint Marcus]

I assume Polytoner Americans to be slightly more enlightened than the general American public. What I hear from them has convinced me that a majority of Americans suffer from a sort of media-induced mass insanity. It is unsafe to be their ally.

I've lived in the US for some months, and I can tell you that the people are friendly in general, but not very bright when it comes to geopolitics. The only person I met there with common sense on the matter happened to be a Briton living there for 20 years now.

[rah]

Originally posted by Saint Marcus


I've lived in the US for some months, and I can tell you that the people are friendly in general, but not very bright when it comes to geopolitics. The only person I met there with common sense on the matter happened to be a Briton living there for 20 years now.

How to win friends and influence people. And you accuse the US of over-simplification and generalizations?

RAH
Check out a mirror.

[Ramo]

What benefits American business benefits the American people.

The artificial protection the US gov't provides to certain businesses hurts the American people in the long term.

[Saint Marcus]

How to win friends and influence people. And you accuse the US of over-simplification and generalizations?

Ok, granted. It was a bit trollish.

In general I liked the people there very much. In general friendly, and well versed on a number of issues. Sadly, those issues tended to be mostly about internal US cases. People there in general didn't know much about other countries, and frankly they didn't want to know more. That's their right of course. In Europe people are, in general, more versed on international issues than in the US. That isn't a over-simplification or generalisation. And most Americans I've met there would agree with me on that one too. That doesn't mean they are stupid or less educated. It only means that they know more and care more about national issues than international issues, especcially compared to the average European. It's a difference in culture, and it's not likely that this will change anytime soon.

[Comrade Tribune]

I find it OK that Americans don´t care much about international issues, but if that is so, they should leave them alone. It is dangerous to meddle in things which you don´t understand and don´t care about.

[Roland]

Dan:

How does this go together:

You: "About a week ago, a Russian message appeared in the Post saying that they would try to help us sort it out. It's a jungle out there."

Artcile:

"Asked whether the threats Bush linked to Iran, Iraq and North Korea were "imaginary," Kasyanov declined to comment."

That pretty much says earth to dubya: "Stop hallucinating".

[Lars-E]

I agree with the majority in the CNN poll. Who did they ask - Americans?

American policy is too simplistic due to at least one factor: Lack of knowledge which is a common American problem.

[Adam Smith]

I don't think the problem is a lack of knowledge. I think a more accurate explanation is that some decision makers in the US have the attitude expressed by an old proverb:

"To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

I hope we will be able to do better than this over time.