Keynote speech sends message to Saudis

Published on Thursday 20 November 2003 00:00

GEORGE Bush called for a "democratic revolution" in the Arab world as he used the only keynote speech of his state visit to Britain to launch a robust defence of his foreign policy.

In a fresh manifesto of interventionism, the United States president said that London and Washington had turned a blind eye to Middle East dictatorships for too long, on the pretext of an alliance.

Confirming that Britain is America’s "closest friend" in the world, he heaped praise on Tony Blair and said that many of his own principles had their roots in English political theory and the Scottish Enlightenment.

In a well-crafted speech which surprised his critics, Mr Bush said that he understood protesters believe he has introduced war - because many preferred not to think about the changed landscape after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington two years ago.

"On September the 11th, 2001, terrorists left their mark of murder on my country, and took the lives of 67 British citizens. With the passing of months and years, it is the natural human desire to resume a quiet life and to put that day behind us, as if waking from a dark dream," he said.

"The hope that danger has passed is comforting, is understandable, and it is false."

He said there are "three pillars" to his foreign policy: multilateral negotiations, the willingness of countries to act and an overt policy of help- ing all countries to become democracies.

He implicitly admitted that Mr Blair was keener than he was on the efficacy of the United Nations security council, where five countries have the power of veto. "The UN has no more compelling advocate than your Prime Minister, who at every turn has championed its ideals and appealed to its authority," he said.

In a contrast to signs in Washington indicating a wish to accelerate withdrawal from Iraq, Mr Bush said he is resolutely committed to overseeing successful democracy in the face of continued terrorist attacks.

"We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq and pay a bitter cost of casualties, and liberate 25 million people, only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins," he said.

"We now have only two options: to keep our word, or to break our word. The failure of democracy in Iraq would throw its people back into misery and turn that country over to terrorists who wish to destroy us."

In the most intriguing section of his speech, he suggested that intervention in the Arab world may only now be beginning. "We must shake off decades of failed policy in the Middle East. Your nation and mine, in the past, have been willing to make a bargain, to tolerate oppression for the sake of stability," he said.

"Long-standing ties often led us to overlook the faults of local elites. Yet this bargain did not bring stability or make us safe. It merely bought time, while problems festered and ideologies of violence took hold."

These comments, especially remarks about "historical ties" had direct resonance with the situation in Saudi Arabia - where the 700-strong royal family has a weak hold on power and hands education to the religious police.

Many in Washington argue that the willingness of the House of Saud to sell discounted oil to the US will no longer protect it from criticism that the country has become a breeding ground of fanaticism.

"No longer should we think tyranny is benign because it is temporarily convenient," Mr Bush said. "If the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation and anger and violence for export ... tyranny is never benign to its victims, and our great democracies should oppose tyranny wherever it is found."

If the audience had Saudi Arabia in its mind by that point, Mr Bush said nothing to disabuse them. "We will consistently challenge the enemies of reform and confront the allies of terror. We will expect a higher standard from our friends in the region," he said.

And this attitude was not peculiarly American, he added. "We’re sometimes faulted for a nave faith that liberty can change the world. If that’s an error it began with reading too much John Locke and Adam Smith."

His speech was introduced by a joke, which could have been taken from The Scotsman’s cartoon yesterday - referring to the trick by David Blaine, the American magician, who recently confined himself to a glass box in London for 44 days.

"A few might have been happy to provide similar arrangements for me. I thank Her Majesty the Queen for interceding. We’re honoured to be staying at her house."

His concluding note affirmed the special relationship - in doubt during the 1980s but now officially secure. "The British people are the sort of partners you want when serious work needs doing. The men and women of this kingdom are kind and steadfast and generous and brave. And America is fortunate to call this country our closest friend in the world."