|
On February 7th, one of the world's greatest leaders
in peace died. He was King Hussein of Jordan. Some of the most
important leaders of the free world were at his funeral the next
day. Except one.
The Leader of Canada , Prime Minister Jean Chretien, did not
attend the funeral. Why, do you ask, did our leader not pay his
respects to one of the foremost leaders in the struggle for peace?
He was busy on a skiing vacation. |
How can one man, who represents Canada, not go to that funeral?
He says that there wasn't enough time to get a plane to fly him
there. U.S. president Bill Clinton went to it and he has enough
troubles as it is. Russian president Boris Yeltsin went and he
is on his last legs and very sick. He went against the advice
of his doctor even. Even the leader of the Palestines went and
bid his farewells, and made peace with King Hussein.
Jean Chretien got a very angry talking to from all the leaders
of the national parties. In Cabinet, they all criticized him
for not going. All Chretien did was say he was sorry and hold
up a sign that said so.
How will the world view Canada now? Our leader wasn't even
respectful enough to go the funeral of a man who lived for peace.
Jean Chretien's head should be bowed in shame for not taking
the time out of his vacation to go to that funeral. It set a
very bad example about the
rest of us.
I doubt that Jean Chretien will ever live this event down.
Perhaps he should go down to Jordan and apologize to all the
Jordanians and to the late King Hussein's son, the new king of
Jordan. That's really what he should do to make things right.
Maybe next time some very important leader dies, he should attend.
Either that, or have a better excuse for not going. |