The European View of Election '08
NIJMEGEN, NETHERLANDS—Foreign policy analysts and citizens in the United States should pay attention to the words of a retired Dutch diplomat. Whether we agree with him or not, his words have context in today's problems.
Nicolaas Wegter says Europe and especially his native Netherlands will never forget what American troops did for the Dutch in World War II. This city, close to the German border, was freed from the Nazis by American forces after a fierce and bloody battle.
The Dutch welcomed our soldiers as liberators with celebrations in the streets of the city in the move to the east to link with the Red Army.
After the war, Wegter said generosity from the United States helped Europe recover through the Marshall Plan, the Berlin airlift, and other financial assistance.
Now move forward more than a half century to 2008. Wegter says he wishes there were more understanding in Washington of different times. The Dutch and other Europeans wonder why America wants to pick and choose how it wants to play on the international stage, specifically on human rights and the environment.
Wegter cites U.S. failure to recognize the international criminal court in The Hague. The United States repeatedly denies the court's jurisdiction, especially over the terrorists held for years after 9/11 in a prison in Cuba.
The environment, he adds, is an even stronger concern. The Bush administration has finally recognized global warming as a problem for all on the planet. But it has not budged from refusing to sign the Kyoto accords on reducing greenhouse gases. The United States stands glaringly alone on the issue.
American tourists aboard a river cruise are also told that Europeans are closely following the election here.
Wegter does not mention the war in Iraq. He seems careful to avoid it. But he does say in answer to a question that there was a need for what he calls "aggressive diplomacy" over bellicosity and warfare.
The word "change" has become a cliché in the Democratic primary.
Yet, as Wegter notes, Europe needs change from time to time and has acted immaturely. He anticipates change in foreign policy here whether it is led by one of the two Democrats or John McCain.
Tags: Europe | presidential election 2008 | World War II
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Europe & '08 election
The election of '08 gives the American people an opportunity to live up to the demands of our constitution and fully, and I hope finally, reject the imperial presidency, beyond constitutional limits, envisioned by Dick Cheney & George W. Bush.
A total repudiation of the last eight years and a reassertion of the American principle that no one is above the law will allow us to return to the company of fellow democracies and in time become again a beacon of hope and aspiration for people everywhere.
Then perhaps we can get about dealing intelligently with the global problems of individuals and groups that utilize terror in an attempt to achieve their political ends, undoubtedly inspired by the 800 pound gorilla (US) throwing its economic and military weight around.
So what you and John are saying, Daniel, is that Europe wants us to be more like "them", a bunch of pansies who have loud microphones, but are afraid to take any action, right? Sorry, but I don't want our country being like Europe, especially on the religion of global warming. These blowhard nations can't even meet their own aggressive caps, and they want us to join it, while China and India go on like there is no tomorrow? No, thank you. Besides, we have done a far better job on reducing so-called harmful emissions by employing technology and not stupid government mandates.
And on the issue of foreign policy, I thought we were employing "aggressive diplomacy", whatever the hell that is, with countries such as Iran and North Korea. Oh well, so much for the left knowing what to do.
The election of Obama, contrary to Republican spin, would not precede America abandoning and losing the global war on terror. The election of Obama would result in precisely the opposite, with Europeans falling all over themselves to cooperate more fully with an America they would perceive as a nation of people thankfully returning to their senses. The world would then be more united against radical extremism, not less so.
Other nations are closely watching the American presidential race because the message of "hope" resonates with their citizens just as it does with so many here.
Most of Europe is also watching because Europeans have no interest in following John McCain and are hoping for us to wake up and do better so they are never, ever asked to do so.
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John W. Mashek covered politics in Washington for four decades with U.S. News & World Report, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Boston Globe. His primary beats were Congress, the White House, and national politics. He covered every presidential election from 1960 to 1996. He was a panelist in three televised presidential debates in 1984, 1988, and 1992.