Robert Fowler, arguably Canada's most respected diplomat, delivered a speech in Montreal Sunday at the Liberal Party's Canada 150 conference that Fowler himself described as “blunt and rude”.
It's a remarkable speech and I've put up a PDF of the speech he read from. (I believe he departed hardly at all from the prepared text)
I'd previously transcribed and posted excerpts in which he indicted the Liberal Party of Canada for failing to stand for anything and then indicted Conservatives and Liberals for pandering to ethnic voters — particularly Jewish voters — with their foreign policies.
Here's one more excerpt (The capitalization is as it appears in the text Fowler read from:
One of the great political myths about Canada, is that Canadians do not care about Foreign Policy. I don't believe it – never have – but I do believe that Politicians need to explain their foreign policy vision to their voters; accepting that such a vision can never be all things to all people. Some will like it – some won't.
But if such a vision is grounded in Canadian values and enhances rather than diminishes Canada's international reputation, more will like it.
Jean Chretien explained the African imperative, and two years after the 2002 Kananaskis Summit, 32% of Canadians thought Africa should be the most important priority for our country – second only to the Americas, at 34%. So, it is about LEADERSHIP.
When Canadians are given the facts; when they are exposed to a clear and articulated Foreign Policy Vision, they respond with enthusiasm, commitment and support. However, when the only option they are given is a small-minded, mean-spirited, me-first, Iittle Canada, whatever-the-Americans-want foreign policy, many will buy it.
But offer Canadians an up-lifting, generous spirited, fair-minded, constructive option; One which appeals to their better nature and social conscience, impacts their lives and engages the future well-being oftheir children, and gives them something they can be proud of; that's, the option they will prefer.