Not a time to cave in on sanctions

Russia’s outrageous behaviour on the borders (and probably inside the borders) of Ukraine, has quite rightly earned world condemnation. The shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was almost certainly with a Russian-supplied missile and may well have been performed by people both armed and trained by Russian agents provocateur working within the east of the country.

Just as it was inevitable that sanctions would be applied by Europe, the United States Australia and others, so was it that Russian President Vladimir Putin would hit back with counter-sanctions. What is truly disappointing is the wailing that has gone up from some sections of the Australian community when he did so.  

Putin has decided to ban food exports from Australia – including, fruit, vegetable, meat, fish and milk products, altogether worth around $350 million – for just 12 months. This is hardly catastrophic in what is a multi-billion dollar industry.

The former President of the National Farmers Federation, Duncan Fraser summed it up when he said Russian consumers will suffer more from Putin’s ban than Australian farmers.

Yet in a recent interview the former Australian Ambassador to Russia and Ukraine, Cavan Hogue, was calling on the Government to cave in. “What’s in it for us? It’s essentially a European problem,” he said - words that could just as easily have been attributed to Neville Chamberlain in 1938.

Chamberlain at least lived in an age where most countries seemed remote to the average citizen. In a world where everywhere is a few hours plane journey away and communications are virtually instantaneous, there is no excuse for Hogue’s insular views.

Fighting in Ukraine would have been our business even if Australians had not been among those on board MH17, just as Gaza is our business and Syria, and West Africa.

Hogue’s comments might have been understandable coming from someone struggling to comprehend the complications of international politics and diplomacy, but he is a former diplomat who should have some idea of just how interlinked the world is today.

In his interview Hogue said Australia would have probably been better served “by just keeping our big mouths shut”.  

If this is the level of his contribution to the debate, he would do well to follow his own advice.