Let It Be So
Canadians have reason to be proud. To be declared persona non grata, to have our charge d'affaires asked to leave Sudan - its vile administration in high dudgeon over a perceived diplomatic slight - is a compliment we must needs work a trifle harder to truly deserve.Not for Canada the choice of the European Union in cringing disavowal of intent to ensure their envoy may be permitted to once again take up his place in Khartoum.
The craven submission of the European development commissioner, in conveying the politesse of conforming to Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir's requirement to be seen as having been hard done by through the medium of a slight is pathetic.
The accusation that both diplomats, that of the European Union and Canada's were said to have 'interfered' in Sudan's internal affairs by urging the release of recently-arrested opposition leaders, under accusations of an attempted (obviously, if such an attempt was contemplated, its actuality was a dismally lamentable failure) coup is laughable.
Should Sudan's opposition leaders have made any such attempt, kudos to them. Should it be the case that they experience great personal pain caused by the current administration's horribly human-rights-abusing actions toward their countrymen, more power to them, and our great admiration as well.
That they are unable to muster sufficient strength of numbers and popular determination to assist them in their efforts says too much about Sudan.
That Canada continues to fund this morally corrupt regime through the African Union - for humanitarian assistance, peace-building projects and reconstruction - is a problem for Canada to ponder yet again and perhaps even re-consider.
If we're propping up a brutally totalitarian regime that takes great umbrage at the concern evinced by the international community regarding Khartoum's hand in murdering its people, we're wrong, and must right that wrong.
That our Minister of Foreign Affairs has made it abundantly clear that Canada has no intention whatever of submitting to the indignation of Sudan's government over this country's abhorrence of the travesty ongoing in Darfur and elsewhere, is a source of pride to Canadians.
Labels: Political Realities, Troublespots
posted by Pieface @ Monday, August 27, 2007
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