Comments on: Daring to talk International

By: This week Matt has been mostly reading… – Freedom Central

This week Matt has been mostly reading… – Freedom Central — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:46:31 +0000

[...] international affairs, Adam Price discusses the importance of the Ayoltollah Khomeini to Iran and Bethan Jenkins reflects on the situation in Gaza. Peter Black also dismisses Conservative ideas about a voucher scheme for [...]

By: roger

roger — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:50:53 +0000

The reason there is so much conflict in the world today, is, because the Uk has never tried to understand other countries or cultures. All they have looked for is control and power over them, to gain some strategic position. or to reap the benefits of their natural resources.

In this respect the English are, hated and distrusted around the world.

It is right that in preperation for the inevitable granting of more powers for Wales, that we start now, discussing our relationship with other nations. Wales has a history of having a part on the world stage.

Unless we come to understand other countries and be prepared to discuss these isues more hatred and distrust will prevail.

So well done Bethan keep at it

By: Illtyd Luke

Illtyd Luke — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:04:32 +0000

An Assembly Member who does not have an opinion on international issues is a weak one. We live in a global world. Things that happen in other countries affect the work of the Assembly. There is no place for a ‘County Council’ mentality which will further damage the Assembly’s image.

AMs have stopped people being deported to unstable countries in some cases. It is only right that they also monitor developments in those countries.

When people criticise internationalists in Wales for ‘banging on about Gaza and Iran’ it’s usually a given that those same critics do not want Wales to have a place amongst the other nations of the world.

By: David

David — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:09:26 +0000

Well done Bethan for discussing international issues, and I am pleased to hear you say that you are an internationalist and that Wales should look outwards. After all, in this difficult world, both politically and economically, it is those values which we share with each other, such as universal human rights and the love of freedom and democracy, that bring the world closer and reduce the power of dictators, such as we have all seen in the media recently with pictures, videos, blogs and twitter messages from Iran.

By: Roy J Thomas

Roy J Thomas — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:17:17 +0000

It is important to look outwards every good organisation does so. The extended coverage of Obama’s election in Wales was case in point. We are good at following and not leading. The India elecions and new Government was however hardly reported or discussed.Benchmarking with good practice is essential especially when we do not have a “policy or beta engine” in Wales to submit ideas.

By: Bethan

Bethan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:16:48 +0000

Marcus I didn’t ‘prioritise’ non devolved issue.

By: Marcus w

Marcus w — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:06:32 +0000

As one of the critics, I am humble to enough to admit when I go ott on criticism. The only thing that you haven’t commented on was the decision to prioritise a non devolved issue over a devolved issue? Perhaps, as I have become a member of plaid since, it’s a debate to have face to face.

By: Al

Al — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:31:45 +0000

It’s not daring and subversive, it’s necessary and essential. That’s what I don’t get about these UKIP types – ignore Europe/the World, because “our” democracy and Parliament is the best..? Wrong. And any government with any sense knows that. If we didn’t look at other systems, not just of government, but of health-care, education, environment etc then our country would be even crapper than it is. Just like in software (sorry to be a geek), the “open-sourcing” of ideas is what will drive 21st century social, economic and political forces.