FINLAND

FINLAND
Helsingin Sanomat, Helsinki, Finland, June 1: After the bloody weekend terror attacks, officials in Saudi Arabia persistently asserted that the country's oil production and its ability to provide crude to world markets had not been jeopardized. According to them, the terrorists attacked housing areas of foreign workers precisely because the "hard" targets of oil production plants are so well protected.
... Nevertheless, the successful terror strike was a serious blow to the ruling Saudi monarchy whose inability to safeguard its own homeland from terrorism was again evident.
Distressful for United States
For the United States, the situation is almost as distressful.
Washington wanted a strong foothold in the oil-producing country. But the war in Iraq seems merely to have increased restlessness in Saudi Arabia. And Iraq's own domestic situation remains extremely shaky.
Instability in the crude market is likely to continue for a long time. One has no faith in an improvement in the Saudi state of affairs or political developments in Iraq. And, more importantly, there is no confidence that the United States is able to control the increasingly complicated situation in the Middle East.
BRITAIN
The Times, London, June 1: In the short term, the results of the electoral contest for the European Parliament could be crucial. If those associated with Jacques Chirac endure a heavy beating, then Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the affable but hapless prime minister, may swiftly join the ranks of the unemployed. Chirac contemplated sacrificing him after his supporters were routed in the March local elections but apparently determined that it might be handy to maintain the option of offering his head to the mob at a later moment. That point might well be reached before July 14.
Policy, too, could be transformed after the votes have been counted. Chirac is playing his cards very close to his chest as the final stages of negotiations over the EU constitution come into sight. He has also been ambiguous as to whether he will keep to his word and permit a referendum to occur on any text that emerges.
A stinging loss could lead Chirac to conclude that he would prefer that the constitution died; although he is sufficiently cunning as to ensure that the fingerprints of others would be planted on the murder weapon. ...
CANADA
Moncton Times & amp; Transcript, Canada, June 2: Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper has promised to immediately put $1.2 billion more into Canada's defense budget. ... The New Democratic Party, meanwhile, dismissed Mr. Harper's pledge as a cynical way to ensure he entangles Canada in dubious U.S. ventures such as the Iraqi war, a silly fear.
Mr. Harper's pledged funding appears to be the best solid figure to date, but it is only about a third of what the Armed Forces need.
'Rapid collapse' for armed forces
Last December's independent report by the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University warns that without at least $50 billion spent over the next 15 years the future of Canada's Armed Forces is one of a "rapid collapse of ... core assets and capabilities" within the next five years.
... Without new funding, it is likely Canada will have to scrap both the air force and navy branches.
... It's not a matter, as the NDP says, of war-mongering. It's a matter of credibility in the world. Already the United Nations is making allowances for our inability to supply as many peacekeepers as they'd like. Already we cannot fulfill our NATO commitments completely if called upon. We rely on the formidable forces of the United States to protect us should it ever be necessary, and Washington knows very well Canada is freeloading. ...
Why would anybody take us seriously when we can't even take care of our own national and international responsibilities?
Mr. Harper is on the right track, but even he needs to go further, and fast.