Canada's preeminent national newspaper really does give too much credit to our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. In an editorial yesterday, the proper paper for economically-minded folk declared that it was a regrettable that our nation's leader was unable to attend the 16th International AIDS Conference being held in Toronto. Their rational: "the Prime Minister...missed a chance to display his often-hidden compassionate side."
Yet, the sad fact is, compassion is the enemy of strategy...and we must all agree, Harper is a strategic animal, if nothing else.
While there is no love lost for the PM in this little rant, I do acknowledge his unique ability to assess a situation and then keep a low profile. This strategy proved well for him during the electoral race and served him well during the first six weeks in office. Now, with Bush Jr. adamantly denying common sense solutions (such as condom use) to countries ravaged by AIDS, Harper has thrown his cards on the table.
For our Prime Minister, a better-than-good relationship with Bush Jr. is far more important than our social responsibility to address the AIDS epidemic. Despite the fact that the disease is crippling sub-Saharan Africa (and there is now concern of emerging epidemics in Russia, India and China, while one-third of all new HIV infections in Canada occur in aboriginal populations), Harper does not think it a priority to acknowledge the importance of this disease. To add insult to injury, Harper's personnel have tried to placate the media and the masses by stating that "the federal government is well represented at the conference."
Listen, you could have 100 mandarins running from conference room to conference room, but the reality is when the leader of your nation REFUSES to publically acknowledge the implications of this disease, it is a clear signal that he is NOT concerned with his so-called compassionate side, but rather his economic prowess.
It is well known that US foreign aid policy demands a return to archaic (religiously influenced) birth control regulations. Any country that appears to support the use of condoms or use abortion is cut off from the US trough. Since sub-Sahara Africa can be considered one of the poorest regions in the world, these demands force the governments (and hence the populations) to cow-tow to the ridiculous demands of this pampered first world nation -- which prevents them from arresting and even preventing the spread of the AIDs virus.
The fact is, condoms are a simple, effective and low-cost solution in the prevention and spread of HIV. The fact is, the US government is led by another self-serving agenda and this has resulted in a choice between overall economic hardship OR crippling health concerns -- an unenviable choice for these impoverished nations.
Stephen Harper's refusal to attend the conference was not a missed opportunity, nor a moment of miscalculated concern.
Rather, his refusal to attend (and his ever-so-common low profile) is a direct decision to build bridges with one of the most archaic and self-righteous US governments in contemporary history. Harper's option to not attend the conference sends a clear message to Canadians that our AIDS dilemma is of secondary concern; his absence also sends a clear message that US relations and our subsequent economic ties are much more important than our social responsibility to our own population and to the most vulnerable populations in the world.
As a Canadian, I am so proud to be falsely autonomous, led by the most dismissive and ensconced national leader since...John Turner.
Now THAT is a missed opportunity for compassion.
For an excellent blog on life expectancy from a North American perspective (a young reporter in Africa) go to: http://karenpalmerinafrica.blogspot.com/2006/05/30.html
For the Globe and Mail editorial go to: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/
RTGAM.20060815.wxeaids15/BNStory/specialComment/home
For a great tongue-in-cheek letter on Harper's no-show go to:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060815.
LETTERS15-1/TPStory/Comment
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