The fires in Greece, the cradle of European civilisation, are clearly streching the capacities of the Greek authorities.
To extinguish massive forest fires needs as many hoses and helicopters as possible. But I have neither heard nor read a single report of any European leader declaring that we shall bear any burden and meet any hardship to support our friends in this time of need.
The UK doesn’t have a huge surplus of helicopters (as troops in Afghanistan know too well) but there must be material help we can give and we should do so. We should do so because it’s morally right to save lives, homes, and forests.
But we should also do so because time is long overdue for Europe’s leaders to demonstrate, to the EU’s own citizens and to all the world, that we are in the twenty-first century together; when one member state faces infernal danger all Europe will give its money and energy to deal with the problem.
100 years from now a Europe of mutual assistance will be stronger, wealthier, and more free than a Europe not even prepared to lend a hose to a neighbour whose house is blazing.
It may be that Gordon Brown has conveyed these sentiments to the Greek government. But it would be worth hearing public declaration of what immediate aid this country will give our fellow Europeans in Greece.
This must be the century of the co-operative venture. We share not only cultural and spiritual origins in Europe. We share a future and we must not meet powerful challenges divided. A Prime Minister prepared to say that would be a true leader for Europe and, frankly, a leader in the greatest ambitious traditions of this country.
August 27, 2007 at 11:24 pm |
I share much of your concern, Antony. It would be intresting to know if Greece has actually asked for any help. Europe does somewhat shut down during August (certainly Brussels does!). But that is no reason for politicians in Britain and elsewhere not to offer words of solidarity and practical aid.
September 2, 2007 at 1:01 pm |
[...] The Golden Ton. And here’s another five well worth reading, if you haven’t already: 8. ‘A missed opportunity for European leadership’ on Antony Hook’s blog. What help has the rest of Europe offered to Greece? “When one member [...]