Repulsive Partisanship

Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case may be, Canada was shut out for a decade for the potential of sitting on the temporary Security Council within the United Nations. The current government is slightly conflicted over the usefulness of close attendance in the United Nations and what they might be able to accomplish within the Security Council, but decided it would continue a tradition whereby Canada has always succeeded in persuading member-countries it belonged on the revolving Security Council.

Not this time. Despite a very energetic and determined bid to win over the support of countries in sufficient numbers that their combined vote would represent the required majority. Portugal, a European Union country, clearly could rely on EU countries to cast votes its way. Canada could conceivably depend upon those developing countries of the world whose meagre economies it had always supported. It could depend on its reliable reputation within the UN.

Canadian politics intervened in the process in a most unfortunate way. Although it is a trifle absurd for Minister Lawrence Cannon to claim responsibility for Canada's defeat in the vote against Portugal owed much to the official opposition's degraded and despicable statement that Canada, under the Conservatives and its policies did not deserve a seat on the Security Council, the truth is it had some impact. It would have to have had, given the fact that foreign embassies located in Canada assiduously read Canadian newspapers.

Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal Party, demonstrated a deep level of contempt for Canada when he divested himself of his sanctimonious opinion that the Conservatives had spoiled Canada's chances for Security Council membership and that Canada did not deserve consideration for membership. His uncalled-for partisan cheap shot revealed him for the shallow intelligence he owns.

It would appear that Mr. Ignatieff received great satisfaction in the voting results that left Canada out in the cold. He is described by one news writer as having grinned widely. Behaviour unbecoming to his station, but quite explicable as a reflection of his character. Should he ever become prime minister of this country one shudders to think how he might re-revolutionize our values.

In the final analysis, popularity is a dim reflection of principle. A descriptive that does not apply to Mr. Ignatieff or the Liberal Party of Canada based on 'balanced' performances on the international scene, current and former.