Inkless Wells

Paul Wells on all the latest out of Ottawa—along with the occasional post about jazz. Follow Paul on Twitter: @InklessPW
He also offers his thoughtful perspective of Stephen Harper’s last 10 years in his recent eBook, The Harper Decade.

Categories: Capital Read, Inkless Wells

Egypt: Unnoticed at the back of the parade

by Paul Wells on Friday, March 4, 2011 2:34pm - 78 Comments

“Canada remains alienated from its allies, shut out of the reconstruction process to some degree, unable to influence events. There is no upside to the position Canada took.”

— Stephen Harper, August 2003

He was talking about Iraq, in the pages of this magazine, but I couldn’t help remembering that quote as I did a little research today on international reaction to the events in Egypt. That country’s capital, Cairo, has become a bit of a hot spot for high-profile international visitors lately. Carl Bildt, the Swedish foreign minister, has been to Cairo and other capitals in the region. So has Australian foreign minister Kevin Rudd, U.S. senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, Turkish president Abdullah Gul, the German ministers of (roughly) foreign affairs, trade and development, the EU‘s foreign-policy representative and Norway‘s foreign minister. France’s foreign minister Alain Juppé is to arrive in Cairo on Sunday.

I suppose it’s possible to write the lot off as rubber-neckers and grandstanders. I suppose also that each of them will go home with dozens of new contacts in a country that has a shot at a democratic transformation.

In the end, as Stephen Harper once said, Canada can’t stay isolated forever. “The government will join, notwithstanding its failure to prepare, its neglect in co-operating with its allies, or its inability to contribute. In the end it will join out of the necessity created by a pattern of uncertainty and indecision. It will not join as a leader but unnoticed at the back of the parade.” Again, he was talking about Iraq, but I suspect it applies here too.

Tags: democracy, Egypt, Iraq, Stephen Harper

More by Paul Wells

Mike Clarke

We have a dearth of leadership in this country. Where are our Lester Pearsons? I fear we have created a culture and a climate where lack of respect for those who step up has become a self fulfilling prophecy. Indifference breeds contempt and in the end we get the leaders we deserve.

Jan

Look how shabbily Louise Arbour was treated by this government.
ThinkingMan

Harsh but true.

MaeDot

It's time we opened the door and let Harper off the bus. He is not us.

Ainsley

We tried that a while back but the Queen wouldn't let us have an election. Methinks she runs the country?

former_ADB

Hi Paul you left David Cameron off your list of visitors. He was there 10 or so days ago. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/feb/21/da…

Paul Wells

Indeed. He's the big one so far. I went looking for less-obvious ones and then forgot Cameron.

former_ADB

A very common type of mistake to make.
(Not to mention that a lot of people would like to be able to forget Mr. Cameron)

tobyornotoby

PM can't go because there is no Tim Horton's in Cairo. and if you're talking about sending Loose Cannon instead, maybe it's better if Canada stays unnoticed.

tedbetts

Didn't you hear? They are introducing legislation to rebrand the franchise as "Tim Harpers".

OriginalEmily1

LOL okay, I accidently hit my teeth on my coffee mug laughing at that one!

tedbetts

Well, Peter Mansbridge on The National on HBC reported it, right before Harper Night in Canada. Apparently they will still be charging HST – Harper Sales Tax – on all purchases though.

What a great country we live in, here in the Great White Harper.

Jan

Can't wait to see the new flag. And the new currency.
OriginalEmily1

LOL luckily I finished my coffee!

TimesArrow

What was it Ralph said? Find a parade and get behind it and push? Something like that anyway.

Thwim

Ralph Klein?

I could see that coming from him, yeah.

TimesArrow

"Canada remains alienated from its allies, shut out of the reconstruction process to some degree, unable to influence events. There is no upside to the position Canada took.”

Where is that SH? Could someone find that SH and maybe make him opposition leader? He could do with a reminder of who he once was now and again.

Amateur Hour

He's too busy buying a gag agreement from the former public sector integrity commissioner … with your tax money.

It seems outrageous even by Harper's standards, but the Harper Government (TM) bought the silence of the woman who was supposed to help government whistleblowers. Of course she did the opposite and then resigned 4 years early (a month before a damning audit), but she still received a generous severance — provided she keep her trap shut.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/otta…

Jim Prentice, is this why you left?

TimesArrow

Doesn't look good that's for sure. Why didn't they give it to her in little brown envelopes?

M_A_D_world

I often wonder.
Too bad he couldn't see what he's chosen to dismiss is exactly what gave him the chance he has today.

Canadian

Paul, Wasn't the Prime Minister just in the region. It seems to me that he was in Macro on a day when there was some sort of anti-government protest and he had to walk a fine diplomatic line. Or something like that. It's not the same as sending a high level government official to Egypt (post revolution) but he has been personally in the region quiet recently. And I was also under the impression that the Governer General has also been in the region very recently as well.

tedbetts

Yes, because that's the same thing.

I'm sure the Egyptians appreciated him coming somewhere within 2000 km of them.

I'm absolutely certain a lot of Egyptian rebuilding development business and contracts were drawn up while was… someone a little closer to there than Canada, which was the point of the post.

Canadian

I assumed the broader point was that his is not personally engaged on the world stage in general and therefore Canada suffers.

Otherwise, the fact that there has been no overt public spectacle made of our relations with Egypt's new government doesn't really mean anything .

Context means everything in this case. And I was just trying to point out that he has been in north Africa and the middle east very recently.

But either way, I honestly think it's crazy to dry any conclusions from any of this. Good or bad.

wsam

Seriously. Why do you bother?

Stewart_Smith

I had to write something nice about Harper last week, wrt his acumen for domestic politics. Foreign affairs is something else. Harper has been clueless and ineffective in virtually all of his dealings with foreign leaders, he has abused his hosts on numerous occasions to score domestic points while overseas, and he doesn't seem to have any focus. Even the maternal health initiative seems to have been designed much more for domestic politics than for actually accomplishing anything.

The best that can be said is that his over-simplified world view and hence minimalist foreign strategy in some respects limits the damage done by this government.

Stephen Harper has had clear political aspirations most of his adult life (at least). He took the time to develop passable French language skills. He likely took even more time to overcome his natural awkwardness with what is a fairly likable demeanor during friendly interviews. Perhaps at some point, if you seek to lead the most international country in the world, with an economy dominated by exports, you should leave the country and experience that great world out there.

My Conservative friends say Ignatieff is not qualified to lead the country because he was away too long and forgot all he knew about Canada. (To me it seems Ignatieff knows quite a bit about Canada, mention any hamlet or inn and he will bore the crap out of you with one of his relative's stories.) Still there does seem to be something to the principle. Harper is a smart man but an idiot wrt the world.

Canadian

There's an interview in Macleans of Canada's ambasadot to the United States. I think his name is Garry Dooer. Being a Harper appointee, he may not be the most impartial observer but I believe he was an NDP premier of Manitoba. So one might assume that he's not the biggest supporter of all things Conservative party related. But in the interview he seems to talk about how highly his counter parts in the White House think of Harper's performance on the international stage. That his instincts and reputation among world leaders and widely recognized and he is looked to for guidance and advice.
http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/22/on-border-secu…

former_ADB

I'm sure Garry Doer is a very decent guy, but I'm not sure as the current Canadian ambassador to US, we can expect him to be overly critical of the present government's foreign policy.

Maybe what he says is true, but it would have greater credibility if he had already left this post.

Claudia Lemire

_ADB you obviously don't know Gary Doer.

OriginalEmily1

What else did you expect him to say??

Canadian

I wouldn't have expected him to say anything negative but I think it's telling that he went out of his way to make a very positive comment. I think that if he didn't have anything positive to say then his response would have been one of those evasive "non-answer" answers.

I mean, I don't think it's unreasonable to be dismissive of him because he was appointed by the very person he's seeking so highly of. But at the same time, he is a person with a reputation that is beyond reproach.

OriginalEmily1

No one is beyond reproach, especially when their job is on the line.

It's boilerplate flattery, that's all.

Anyone watching the news knows that Harper isn't well thought of, in the US or anywhere else.
Stewart_Smith

I think Canadian, (catchy name, sounds like a beer) that you could have made your statement even stronger. Harper's reduced foreign policy has been basically aimed at following the US lead, on Israel, on carbon, on the border, on bail-outs. So it is entirely consistent to say that Harper's foreign policy wrt our largest trading partner is near ideal wrt our largest trading partner.

Emily will no doubt refer to this as selling out… I see it as fairly pragmatic. Personally I think on many issues it should be easier for Canada to see the way forward simply because we carry less baggage than our American friends. Moreover by maintaining some distance between us, Canada and the US can often accomplish more than we achieve by simply abdicating decisions. So I disagree with Harper's US agenda, but I would not say our US policy is idiotic.

So to rephrase: Harper is a smart man but an idiot wrt the rest of the world except in the US where he is merely misguided.
Mike T.

Given that H wants the entire government named after himself, I assume most people in his camp think it bes to give nothing less than full throated support.

former_ADB

You say "Harper is a smart man but an idiot wrt the world."

It does look like that now, but as the quote above indicates, in 2003, he did seem a little more clued up.
No, I think the lack of attention to international files is not that the Harper Government is too pre-occupied with domestic policy, but rather a tendency to only engage in international issues that serve a short-term domestic agenda or particular interest groups.

Jenn_

You do understand that "a little more clued up" would have landed us in the war in Iraq, right?

former_ADB

oops…

Actually no, I hadn't realized this was part of his criticism of Chretien's decision not to enter the Iraq war.
I thought this was a more general critique of Canada's position in world affairs; of being a follower rather than a leader.

So, mea culpa, I should have been better clued up.

But, it's ironic then isn't it, that Mr. Harper was criticizing one of the few occasions in International affairs where Canada has struck out some what on its own rather than be a follower?

Jenn_

Well, not to worry, because I actually approve of Harper's position this time, myself. I'd much prefer we were at the back of the parade–or not part of the bandwagon at all. It seems extremely unseemly to me, like vultures at a death bed or something. Let us send a note indicating our support and our standing by (out of the way) if they should require some assistance. Let us not muscle our way in, distracting from the needed focus on reforms and instituting democratic procedures. I mean, if your house has just fallen down, do you really want GUESTS as you begin the rebuilding process?
former_ADB

I certainly wouldn't want Canada to get in the way of democratic reform in Egypt, or anywhere else, by being part of a bandwagon.

But isn't the issue really whether Canada can make a major contribution on the world stage and whether this government is serious about trying? In 2003 Mr. Harper seemed to think that engagement was important, but today his government seems very slow to get involved in world affairs, particularly as regards the changes underway in the Middle East.

Perhaps as you suggest the best policy for Canada regarding Egypt would be to write a polite letter expressing support and a willingness to engage in the process of reform. Perhaps such messages are best delivered personally by a senior member of a government or perhaps not? But do you really think Harper's Government are really investing a lot of time considering their options?
TimesArrow

What Harper is doing is sitting on the fence. If democracy should flower it will not be down to him, but as Wells says elsewhere he's likely to be saying "me too"if it does. This is something the former Harper used to criticze the lbs for – leading from the rear. I found it distasteful then and now.
Jenn_

Oh, absolutely. If Harper's position is the correct one, it is by accident.

Claudia Lemire

To me is not about how much he knows or how long he was away, is about authenticity and that is questionable and it is reinforced by his lack of vision or understanding of the needs of this country.

That Harper hasn't been much abroad before being PM, is not bothersome to me, it does concern me at times his foreign policy, I think he is to narrow and he felt it with the UN seat which wasn't a big deal itself but in the whole picture not a wise move, you do need to be part of the team, which it seems to be the case here, he has done what I think is enough at this point with Egypt.
Claudia Lemire

Also Stewart_Smith, I would love to discuss Hamlet with Ignatieff forever, that's his gift to the world and I really hope he gets back to it soon and I mean that from the bottom of my heart in the best possible way.

Bailey

I like that Kevin Rudd went from PM to Foreign Affairs Minister. He's like Joe Clark.

McC_

indeed, I hadn't followed what happened to him after being defenestrated by his caucus, and I'd assumed he'd just gone back to private life (or left to make $oodles in building Oz-China business links)

PeteTong

As a proud Canadian I'll take isolation over the embarrassment of sending Lawrence Cannon abroad. Presumably the Harper PMO is having trouble figuring out how to approach Egypt given it's number one priority of relating everything back to standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel.
wsam

Canada's new Harper government has wicked influence with the hard right in Israel.

Jan

Or vice versa. Who's the dog, who's the tail?

Mike514

Are you saying Jews and/or Israel control our politicians?

TimesArrow

That's the kind of mindless inference that bedevils these boards. Clearly she's saying that maybe the Isaeli hard right has too much of the ear of our govt. What exactly are you implying?
wsam

No. That would be dumb.

Mike T.

I remember back when Harper's position on Iraq was my least favourite thing about his politics.

Though possibly the biggest reason he should be gone is that we might have to make the decision on whether to join the U.S. in another war.

TimesArrow

He still denies that despite articles in the US press to the contrary, doesn't he? Mindboggling really!
Churchill

As opposed to Michael Ignatieff who of course is a strong oppnent of US military interventions abroad.

TimesArrow

At least Ignatieff had the stones to recant his position publically. Harper hasn't even admitted he said what he did.
Mike T.

Ignatieff is also a concern in that respect, although I think he is slightly more trustworthy.

Philanthropist

Harper is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't. Radical leftists in the corrupt Liberal party and media will always find fault regardless of how appropriately he reacts to a situation – and that constant whining is getting quite boring, why don't leftists try to reach across the aisle for once and try to work together to improve the country instead of crying all the time?

former_ADB

I don't think there are many "radical leftists" in either the parliamentary Liberal Party or even NDP. I thought is was kind of nice that it was the Liberals who reached across the aisle last year to advocated for an extension to the Canadian military mission in Afghanistan.

westmalle

Harper's has been consistent in saying that Canada's top foreign policy interests are in North America and the Western Hemisphere. It makes sense that the Europeans rush to Cairo – Egypt and the Middle East are trans-Mediterranean neighbours with EU countries. Already Italy is starting to see a spike in irregular migration ("boats") from Libya.

Harper's big foreign policy job is to ensure that Canada and the world keeps its promises to Haiti. The media and world attention has long departed Haiti to focus on the next big crisis, but everyone said at the time that to re-build that shattered country would take years, if not decades. Harper said that Canada would not forget Haiti. That is more important than trying to be a big-shot in Cairo.

former_ADB

Your comment makes a good point. This government has stated that relations within the Western Hemisphere are top priority.
Still, the Egypt and the Middle East are pretty important too, strategically more so than Afghanistan probably. So I don't think that work on these files has to be either/or.
I do hope that Canada keeps its commitment to take a leadership role in helping Haiti rebuild and develop. Where should we be looking to find out whether this happens?

westmalle

Dear former_ADB

Check out CIDA link here http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.ns…

The Canada-Haiti Action Network summarizes global efforts to help Haiti, with emphasis on Canada. Liberal MP Bob Rae is quoted. http://www.canadahaitiaction.ca/content/aid-facts…

I know the CIDA Minister Bev Oda has answered questions about Haiti relief in QP recently but nobody in the Opposition or the media seems remotely interested in what she has to say about it, for some reason, so I don't know what she said. I'll have to check Hansard.

Dot

I suppose it’s possible to write the lot off as rubber-neckers and grandstanders. I suppose also that each of them will go home with dozens of new contacts in a country that has a shot at a democratic transformation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO3hk9NR0V8&fe…

Kathryn_C

How have I missed this? thanks.
Claudia Lemire

It made my day!!

Ariadne

What is it with many of us, why is there a need to keep pace with the "in" crowd? The moment we are called to contribute part of that endeavour, for the responsibility/burden of being in that crowd, the same people clamoring for it will whine about the expense and the total cost. Instead of whining, be very glad we are not in that crowd.
Ariadne

Yeah the in crowds! PM Cameron was criticized for visiting Egypt after Mubarak's downfall bringing with him people whose business are selling weaponries and armaments. And further humiliated with the expose on how UK, its officials, and some of its institutions benefited from Gadaffi’s patronage. As for France, they were embarrassed with they way they coddled the former Tunisian government to almost the last minute, and were forced to fire its foreign minister for that embarrassment. As for US, they were caught with their pants way down. And all these three need the oils from those countries very, very badly, especially now with the price of oil spiraling. Embrace your in crowds guys and feast on them! For tomorrow those guys may be forced to face another embarrassment for how they handle these crises. Are you still hungry to be at the front? If so, make sure you carry with you bigger purse strings. Your ambitions may cost us all more than we can afford.

Claudia Lemire

Well France's foreign minister was a super IDIOT, she deserved to be fired!

Tony, SFO-YUL

Canada has always been on the side with the United States in political matters. How stupid is that.
The goodness of Canada is that it doesn’t take sides with anyone too much, making it seem more of a neutral and peaceful country. Canada should remain more alienated and separate from the United States, or from anybody, that’s for sure.
This is political mumbo-jumbo about what Harper says about Canada and you can analyze it anyway you want.

Philanthropist

Canada should stand with countries that respect universal human rights and individual freedoms – and against countries that do not respect the dignity of human beings, it's as simple as that.

There is nothing 'good' about not taking sides in these matters, it is cowardice.

Claudia Lemire

Dot explained best with his youtube video…

Because honestly what is he supposed to do there at this point in time?

That it doesn't seem to be the Harper of 2003, is that a surprise! Then he was the opposition and he was an amazing opposition a troublemaker, that why he was noticed, he said what fit his strategy and he is the same man today even if he contradicts what he said, it is his strategy, to oppose, oppose, oppose, he is ruthles!
tedbetts

“The government will join, notwithstanding its failure to prepare, its neglect in co-operating with its allies, or its inability to contribute. In the end it will join out of the necessity created by a pattern of uncertainty and indecision. It will not join as a leader but unnoticed at the back of the parade.”

Unfortunately, Paul, you can't put that toothpaste back in the tube.
Anon 001

No votes in Cairo. No Egyptians in "Target — Ethnics" block in 416 and 905.
OriginalEmily1

Oh we've been noticed. That's why we're at the back of the parade.
Jan

Thanks to the Census data, Harper doesn't have to waste time on non-existent voters.
NOT really a PM

I guess Harper's ploy (everything is a ploy to him) is to stick with his Israel policy (the one for votes ONLY), it seems to work for him (NOT Canada).
excanuck

What a depressing bunch of Harper haters. Could one suggest that MacLeans Mag should consider its position with its encouragement of such naked partisanship. Or is it simply that you are all metropolitan elitists and thus don't know any better than to diss Canada's one current star?
Jan

Depressing that there are so many suckers like you.
TimesArrow

hilarious really given the direction of Wells' article. If the Harper haters [ how i depise that phrase - it says something at least halfway credible of libs or lefties that they havn't coined a similarly mindless phrase for those who endlessly disparage MI and less often Jack] since it's hardly likely the absence of Harper critics would do anything to change the import of Wells' message.
Jan

But if you turned the wrong way you could be seen as turning your back on Israel. High stakes diplomacy. Best to stay at home and look busy.