The Francophonie summit has been thrown into some turmoil:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has opposed a resolution at la Francophonie that would have recognized only the suffering of people in Lebanon following this summer's conflict in the Middle East.
Most of the members at the summit of French-speaking countries supported the Egyptian-proposed resolution Friday, with the split forcing participants to continue their debate on the contentious issue.
I think the the Francophonie is the only non-Arab international organization where you could find a majority of nations that would consider recognizing that Israeli citizens were wounded and killed by Hezbollah rockets packed with ball bearings a "contentious" issue. Well, the United Nations too, I suppose.
"I hope we can all recognize the suffering of humans - men and women - and not just suffering based on people's nationality," Harper said.
"Obviously, Canada believes.....we should recognize the victims in both Lebanon and Israel."
Obviously, the Francophonie as a whole does not believe that. Oddly enough, this is one of those moments when I buy the argument that Canada ought to belong to these organizations. The excuse is given and over again by internationalists that membership provides an opportunity to influence the behaviour of other nations. The problem is that the theory only matters if you value your principles over continued membership. Under Stephen Harper, Canada has taken a stand against the other members of the Francophonie -- this resolution will not pass. Change the resolution or else the Francophonie won't benefit from the credibility that comes with Canadian membership.
It is up to the Francophonie, therefore, to decide to change the resolution, drop it, or try to present it in the face of open Canadian opposition. And in making that decision they will have to decide just how important it is to have Canada on board. Meanwhile, Stephen Harper has already let them know just how important it is to Canada that it be seen as faithful member of the Francophonie.
Not all that important, it seems.
By the way, credit should go where it is deserved. France is on Canada's side on this one, and played a key role in making sure this last minute resolution was blocked:
The resolution had gained the acceptance of a majority of members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, but it faced the "hostility" of the Canadians, who managed, with the support of Mr. Chirac, to prevent its adoption.
Mr. Chirac that negotiations are continuing on the resolution and said a solution is needed to "allow everybody to save face."
Maybe Chirac is motivated more by concerns of keeping the Francophonie together than about being right, but hey, sometimes it's the best you can expect from some people.
France suggested a resolution that might be acceptable because it doesn't actually mention Israel explicitly, but only by implication:
About an hour later, the French delegation presented a short resolution that was deemed acceptable to all.
"In deploring the tragedy in Lebanon and its dramatic consequences for all of the civilian populations," the final resolution stated, "we call for a total cessation of hostilities and a return to calm in Lebanon."
I hope Canadian "hostility" is maintained on this one. If you mention Lebanon, you mention Israel. It's simple.
Hostile Canadians. I like that. Maybe next we'll see my Angry Beaver icon, red toque and all, fluttering in the breeze on a banner the next time Canadians decide that it's time to be hostile.
