Two Cases Where a Will to Act is Lacking

Financial Times, April 11, 2012 | Letter

Sir, The Financial Times of April 9 carried two presumably unconnected items. One was the editorial “The world must unite to save Syria”. The other was a series of letters and comments about the “euro crisis” and, implicitly, the future of Europe’s coherence, leadership and global role.

I strongly agree with the editorial on the need for Europe, the US and others to come up with a “robust” alternative plan. But, as is known, the Europeans are, with others, in some disarray and fumbling. The fact is that the combined powers among the “friends of Syria” could end the carnage in Syria if they had the will.

On the other front, there are calls for the dismemberment of the eurozone and, implicitly, the weakening of the “European project”. What is so disappointing is that there is little acknowledgment of the fact that this project is central, and critical, to the future for a strong and united Europe. The arguments are mostly about “economics”. The debate should be about the greater political import. The fact is, as with the Syrian conundrum, Europe has the clear economic capacity to deal with this financial crisis over time but lacks the will to act. Yes, there will be costs; but the costs of inaction will be even greater.

In each case, there is a comprehensive failure of leadership, a failure to see the significant long-term costs and gains, and a blind unwillingness to act in concert and recognise the common goals and fundamental interests.