As the world's leaders strive to find a workable proposal for a ceasefire and peacekeeping mission in the Middle East, Prime Minister Stephen Harper seems increasingly at odds with the global community and with our national character.
While supporters of the Prime Minister's shift in Canada's foreign policy claim Canada has only played a minor role in brokering peace in troubled regions, the fact remains that as more states align themselves with certain powers in the Mideast conflict, there are fewer left who are capable of working with all parties. This position also ignores the tremendous contribution Canada has made over the past half-century at the United Nations, where we have often exercised a moderating influence on those who would perpetrate unreasonable diplomatic attacks on Israel.
Canadians have been committed to the existence of an Israeli state since its creation in 1948. We have also recognized that terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, which use tactics that the global community must condemn, present a threat to the existence of Israel and to a lasting peace in the Middle East. Israel must have the right to defend itself against an enemy implacably opposed to its existence, but the right of self-defence is always subject to international law. In the end, however, there must be moderators who can make a dialogue possible.
On a 2002 visit to Jerusalem, undertaken as part of my duties as Canada's foreign minister, I had the privilege of meeting with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and then-Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres. I will never forget his words, which to me embody the potential our nation has to improve the situation in the Middle East. He told me, "You don't make peace with your friends, only with your enemies."
It is vital for middle-power nations such as Canada to pursue a fair-minded and balanced foreign policy because it preserves our ability to act as an appropriate intermediary, helping to make peace between enemies, rather than simply validating the positions held by any one party. It is only by acting in this way that we can truly help our friends.
In the current situation, the Harper government, instead of encouraging international efforts toward a ceasefire, has taken the position that the violence should run its course, thereby ensuring further civilian casualties on both sides.
It is now clear that the only way to stop the loss of innocent civilian life and the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure is the cessation of hostilities by all parties. An immediate ceasefire is a mandatory first step before any progress toward a lasting peace can be made.
The continuance of the present violence is detrimental to the long-term security of Israel, and devastating to the possibility of a free and democratic Lebanon, which is vital to future peace in the region. Any ceasefire put in place will provide a window of opportunity for the global community to move toward a more formal arrangement based on the following fundamental principles.
A lasting peace agreement must ensure the security of both Israel and Lebanon and their citizens. Innocent victims in Israel and Lebanon are not responsible for what is taking place, but they are paying the cost. The loss of innocent life is to be deplored and the international community must work to put an end to civilian deaths and the destruction of civilian infrastructure by all parties.
Any peace agreement must be based on respect for the borders of sovereign nations and international humanitarian law. To that end, the re-establishment of Lebanese sovereignty over the entirety of its territory must be an element of any long-term plan. The present violence is destabilizing any progress that could be made in this area and strengthening radical elements hostile to an eventual peaceful solution by elevating the position of Hezbollah throughout the Arab world.
