Clegg proclaims ‘axis of openness’ in Mexico
By politics.co.uk staff
Nick Clegg has proclaimed a new “axis of openness” following the Arab uprisings and international backing for action in Libya.
Speaking in Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, Mr Clegg also aimed to calm jitters over the bombing in Libya, saying Iraq should not be allowed to stop “liberal interventionism”.
The “rising democratic tide in North Africa and the Middle East, led by middle-class secular forces,” heralded a major shake up in international affairs, the deputy prime minister said.
He also cited the “swift and decisive response by the United Nations to the dangers posed to those fighting for freedom in Libya” and “the reaction of the world to the tragedy in Japan” to argue that a new era in modern history was beginning.
“When citizens in war-torn Afghanistan are sending money to Japan, it is possible see ourselves as citizens not only of our own nations, but also of that wider country, the world,” Mr Clegg said.
Speaking passionately about the military engagement in Libya, Mr Clegg tried to put Latin American hearts at rest by assuring his audience the conflict is qualitatively different to the invasion of Iraq.
“There is a good deal of concern in the UK, and I know here in Mexico too, about the military action,” he said.
“Like most of you, I was a strong opponent of the war in Iraq. It was wrong. But the action being taken in Libya today is right.
“The lesson of Iraq is not that intervention in support of liberal aims is always wrong. The lesson of Iraq is that any such action must only – and must always – be multilaterally sanctioned and driven by humanitarian concerns.
“Liberal vigilantism is dead. Law-abiding liberal interventionism is not.”
