DFEAT?

Australia has an embassy in Phnom Pehn. Also in Riga, Sarajevo, Maputo (that's in Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius) and Luanda (Angola). In fact, the Australians have embassies or consulates in 90 countries around the world.

Canada? Not too far behind, with embassies or consulates in 86 states. Like in Phnom Pehn. And Riga. And Sarajevo.

Well, for the moment anyway. Because Canada's Only Slightly Used Government is closing our Latvian and Bosnian and Cambodian embassies. And smaller ones in some piddling place called, what's its name again, oh yeah, Africa.

"No one is immune from the need to stay flexible, shift resources and strengthen representation in some areas, while consolidating in others, to reduce costs wherever possible," our hopefully soon to be ex-Foreign Minister burbled in bureau-speak to the Toronto Star. "We all have to find new and innovative ways to deliver our services beyond the traditional bricks and mortar of embassies."

Maybe a kiosk in Second Life would do the trick? Or opening an Internet cafe in Luanda?

Canada, like Australia, is a large, immigrant-dependant country with strategic interests in several regions around the world. (In fact, most countries, whether they like it or not, now find themselves forced to consider their strategic interests in several regions around the world.) Stephen Harper and Co. seem to just love John Howard's jingo-spouting, immigrant-baiting, climate-denying policies. But even the Australians have a better handle on how to deal constructively, or at least semi-intelligently, with the vicissitudes of globalisation than our own fearless leaders do. Wouldn't it be a good idea to have someone on the ground in the Balkans, for instance?

Never mind - as the Prime Minister would like to be believe we're already de facto Americans, I'm sure he'll be arranging a cozy treaty ensuring any Canadian stranded in Cambodia or Angola has equal access to American overseas consulates. Right? Or maybe he should ask the Australians?