HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
http://frontierpost.com.pk/main.asp?id=30&date1=1/6/2002 [Tony Blair's 'non-empire' currently has troops stationed in at least 24 nations.] The Frontier Post (Pakistan) January 6, 2002 Blair promises pivotal world role for Britain BANGALORE (APP): British Prime Minister Tony Blair will claim Saturday a pivotal role for Britain in world affairs after the September 11 atrocities, marked by increased cooperation with other nations.�We do not have an empire, we are not a superpower, but we do have a role and in playing it properly we benefit Britain and the wider world,� Blair will tell the Confederation of Indian Industry in a keynote speech to the organisation�s annual conference in Bangalore, southern India. The speech, copies of which were made available before delivery, includes an implicit defense of further British integration in Europe, not least future adoption of the euro currency. �It is a role we should embrace with real confidence, resisting nostalgia, refusing to retreat into isolationism,� Blair was to say. �That role is to be a pivotal player. It is to use the strengths of our history, our geography, our language, the unique set of links with the US, Europe and the Commonwealth, our position within the UN and Nato, the scale and reputation of our armed services, our contribution to debt and development issues, to be that pivotal player and be that force for good in our own nation and the wider world.� Blair was to express pride in the role Britain has played since the September 11 attacks on the United States � both diplomatically, in building the alliance against international terrorism, and on the humanitarian front through the provision of aid to Afghanistan. �Dealing with international terrorism abroad is not just right in itself, it is vital to our economy, our jobs, our stability and our security,� he was to say. �In today�s globally interdependent world, foreign policy and domestic policy are part of the same thing. �Proud nations will always guard their sovereignty but the shape of the world today means that self-interest for a nation and the interests of the broader community are no longer in conflict,� the prime minister was to add. The leader of Britain�s opposition Conservatives criticised Blair for ignoring domestic problems in favour of pursuing global peace. �Instead of talking about a new world order abroad, the prime minister should sort out the new disorder at home,� Iain Duncan Smith was quoted as saying in The Times newspaper on Saturday. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
