BBC : Blair condemns anti-US 'madness'

Blair condemns anti-US 'madness'

14 September 14, 2006

The "anti-American feeling" of some European politicians is "madness" as the world needs the US to help tackle pressing problems, Tony Blair says.

There is a danger some countries will "pull up the drawbridge and disengage", the prime minister said in a pamphlet published by the Foreign Policy Centre.

And he said while the "war on terror" is "unconventional", it can be won by promoting values as much as force.

The pamphlet is based on three foreign policy speeches he has made this year.

"The strain of, frankly, anti-American feeling in parts of European politics is madness when set against the long-term interests of the world we believe in," Mr Blair is quoted as saying.

He called on those with anti-US views to join him by becoming "involved" and "engaged" in tackling global issues such as terrorism.

"The reality is that none of the problems that press in on us can be resolved or even contemplated without them."

The prime minister concedes that mistakes have been made in the past in attempts to defeat extremism around the globe.

But countries "are not being bold enough, consistent enough, thorough enough in fighting for the values we believe in", he said.

There will never be real support for "tough action" against extremism unless global poverty, environmental degradation and injustice are tackled with equal vigour.

He also calls for an alliance of moderation "that paints a future in which Muslim, Jew and Christian, Arab and Western, wealthy and developing nations can make progress in peace and harmony with each other".

The BBC's diplomatic correspondent, Jonathan Marcus, says given that Mr Blair has announced that he will leave office within a year, the publication represents something of a political will and testament.

"This pamphlet reads like a plea for understanding from a leader who firmly believes that he will ultimately be proved right," our correspondent says.