Editorial
Cracks Appearing in the American Coalition Against Terrorism
U.S. President George W. Bush's comments about Iraq, Iran and North Korea constituting an "axis of evil" has brought his "coalition against terrorism" to the verge of collapse, with his European allies vehemently protesting his attempts to unilaterally expand the U.S.-led war. European officials were quick to distance themselves from Bush's statements, many of them denouncing them as irresponsible and counter-productive.
A spokesman for the European Union stated that the EU would not agree to attacks on Iraq, Iran or North Korea as there is no evidence linking any of those countries to terrorist activities. He warned that European countries could not afford to acquiesce to American dictate on this issue, as to do so would be to reduce themselves to American colonies. German and French leaders have been quite vocal in their opposition to Bush's statement and even Britain has tried to suggest that Bush was merely indulging in political grandstanding in preparation for upcoming Congressional elections. The U.S. administration was quick to correct Britain on this point, stating that Bush was not electioneering, but deadly serious.
The Canadian government has been ambiguous in its position. Prime Minister Jean Chretien stated in Moscow that Canada would not participate in an attack on Iraq without soild evidence linking it to the September 11th attacks on the U.S. However, he has since qualified that stand, stating that the U.S. would not consider attacking Iraq without consulting its allies and that Canada would respond appropriately at that time. Meanwhile, Canadian warships are plying the waters of the Persian Gulf where they are clearly better positioned for an assault on Iraq or Iran than on Afghanistan.
The U.S. administration has made its position quite clear - it alone will determine the course of the "war on terrorism" and its allies will, in the words of U.S. Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld: "fall in line or face the consequences". Far from withdrawing his remarks about the "axis of evil", Bush has repeated them several times, including another speech in which he called for a "crusade" against evil. In his recent tour of Japan, South Korea and China, Bush attempted to enlist those countries in further isolation of North Korea, reportedly with little success.
In the face of growing international opposition to U.S. policy, the Bush administration is becoming more bellicose and more unilateralist. It is so confident in its absolute military superiority that it appears to honestly believe that it can do whatever it wishes with no consequences. Historically, this kind of blind megalomania has been the hallmark of an empire in its last days.