Tony Lambert delphine1939@videotron.ca
18 janvier 2008
Blair praises Canadian resolve in Afghanistan
Peter Goodspeed, The National Post
Published: Friday, January 18, 2008
TORONTO - Former British prime minister Tony Blair said yesterday that economic chaos and international terrorism are growing threats in the 21st century.
"The challenges are clear and profound," he added, as he urged Canada not to flinch in its fight against Islamic radicals in Afghanistan.
"We have to stand up and fight for our values as though they were at risk -- and they are," he said.
Describing himself as a "fully paid-up fan of Canada," Mr. Blair praised Canadian soldiers who are fighting alongside British troops in southern Afghanistan and said they are serving "as noble a cause as I can think of."
Groups such as the Taliban thrive on carnage and terror, Mr. Blair said, and they will take any sign of weakness as a victory.
"We have to make the Taliban understand that our determination exceeds theirs," he said.
International terrorism, which came to dominate his final years in power, is a danger that will grow both more complex and more intense, Mr. Blair predicted.
"I wish I could stand before you and say I'm more optimistic," he said. "I can't. I am optimistic we will prevail in the end, but the challenges facing us are immense."
The threat of an economic recession, triggered by a spreading subprime mortgage crisis in the United States, could make it more difficult for world leaders to cope, he warned.
