Stiffing the Willing

We are certain the Bush Administration appreciates the political support of certain European countries regarding Iraq. Conservative Prime Ministers Silvio Berlusconi of Italy and Jose Maria Aznar of Spain were way out in front, and also way out in front of their own people. Now they are paying a price. In Spain and Italy, this week’s regional elections, which were widely seen as a referendum on support for the U.S. on Iraq, went against the President’s friends. Berlusconi’s party lost control of Rome and Aznar’s was defeated in Madrid province, although it retained control of the city.

We are certain the Bush Administration appreciates the political support of certain European countries regarding Iraq. Conservative Prime Ministers Silvio Berlusconi of Italy and Jose Maria Aznar of Spain were way out in front, and also way out in front of their own people. Now they are paying a price. In Spain and Italy, this week’s regional elections, which were widely seen as a referendum on support for the U.S. on Iraq, went against the President’s friends. Berlusconi’s party lost control of Rome and Aznar’s was defeated in Madrid province, although it retained control of the city.

[We have a particular fondness for Berlusconi, as Italy prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the EU in July. Berlusconi told a delegation visiting Rome that when he visits Israel next month he would meet only with Israelis, not with Palestinians, according to The Jerusalem Post. According to the story, Berlusconi hopes by meeting only with the Israelis, he will send a message to other European countries. According to a participant in the meeting, Berlusconi regards himself as a friend of Israel, understands its problems and will do his best to strengthen Israeli-European relations. He also said Israel is a natural candidate for EU membership in the future.]

Being America’s friend in Europe can be difficult; being both America’s friend and Israel’s friend is even more so. It would be easier, though, if the administration had some sense of how important it is to offer those countries real and tangible benefits. Economic benefits. The kind that allows a government to show that working with America is not only right, but also helpful in tough times.

We’re not talking foreign aid here, or debt forgiveness. We’re talking about the White House and DoD working overtime to ensure a good and fair deal for Spanish or Italian or other helpful European defense industries in the U.S. or in reconstruction contracts in Iraq. If policy is NOT to give contracts to the French or the Germans for their poor behavior, then the policy should be to favor those who were helpful.

And they need help, because France, for one, is in a vindictive mood. An American company is participating in the purchase of Fiat-Avio, the Italian engine manufacturing company. France is now threatening to kick Italy out of the Arianespace program, with one French official saying, “Arianespace is in an economic war,” and accusing Italy of being America’s lackey. Furthermore, Italy opted out of the European military transport program headed by France’s Aerospatiale, staying with U.S. companies Lockheed and Boeing. The JSF program has a $1 billion Italian investment, but will it produce jobs in Italy? The Italians are being criticized in Europe for leasing F-16s from the U.S. instead of buying Eurofighters.

How long can this friendship with America last unless the Italian government can show the benefits? And if it and other “friends of W” can’t, their current pro-American governments could fall. That can’t be helpful for the long term. Policy makers in the White House and Pentagon have to start responding with real and tangible benefits or they stand to lose important support for the U.S. position in Europe.