To the editor:
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau recently said he was in favour of exploring ways of re-engaging with Iran.
It came as no surprise when Prime Minister Harper, who expelled Iranian diplomats and closed our embassy in Tehran, started to ‘spin’ the Liberal leader’s statement by inferring Trudeau wants to be “best friends” with a state sponsor of terrorism.
At least Trudeau recognizes the tragic shmozzle in the Middle East is far too complex to be solved by dropping a few smart bombs. All those despicable ISIL fanatics and their powerful financial backers will never be killed; therefore, terrorism is not going to end anytime soon.
If some semblance of law and order is to be achieved, dialogue and negotiations among the major powers is essential and inevitable.
Once upon a time Canadian diplomats could have played a valuable role as impartial facilitators. Unfortunately Stephen Harper’s self-serving foreign policies and his sycophantic relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, have undermined Canada’s credibility.
Apparently Prime Minister Harper suffers from a severe case of partisan political myopia which impairs his ability to see beyond the next federal election.
Lloyd Atkins, Vernon