Meyer: The 'third class' special UK/US relationship
Guardian
One of Britain's former senior diplomats has dismissed Tony Blair's ability to sway George Bush from his staunch backing of the Israeli campaign against Hizbullah when the two meet in Washington later today.
As the conflict entered its 17th day, and Israeli warplanes killed at least one person and wounded four others in attacks on southern Lebanon, Mr Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister wanted to "increase the urgency, the pace of diplomacy".
Downing Street sources told the Guardian that Mr Blair would express his concern that pro-western Arab governments were "getting squeezed" by the crisis and the longer it continued, the more squeezed they would be, giving militants a boost.
Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain's ambassador in Washington from 1997 to 2003, said it was important to remove the notion of Britain's special relationship with the US from the debate because it "completely poisons any objective analysis".
"The fact of the matter is that right now, in this crisis, the United States has only one special relationship and that is with Israel and all other relationships including ours with them are in a secondary or even a third category," Sir Christopher told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Read more
db: Ouch!! Christopher ... I thought they cared!! Never mind - I'm sure Bush will allow Blair to look 'the statesman' later. We will post the pics here @ db - Blair 'the humanitarian', Blair 'with a mind of his own' , Blair 'Of course the killing must stop' not forgetting Blair 'Refuel those jets carrying more bombs to kill Lebanese Kids here no problem'.
One of Britain's former senior diplomats has dismissed Tony Blair's ability to sway George Bush from his staunch backing of the Israeli campaign against Hizbullah when the two meet in Washington later today.
As the conflict entered its 17th day, and Israeli warplanes killed at least one person and wounded four others in attacks on southern Lebanon, Mr Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister wanted to "increase the urgency, the pace of diplomacy".
Downing Street sources told the Guardian that Mr Blair would express his concern that pro-western Arab governments were "getting squeezed" by the crisis and the longer it continued, the more squeezed they would be, giving militants a boost.
Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain's ambassador in Washington from 1997 to 2003, said it was important to remove the notion of Britain's special relationship with the US from the debate because it "completely poisons any objective analysis".
"The fact of the matter is that right now, in this crisis, the United States has only one special relationship and that is with Israel and all other relationships including ours with them are in a secondary or even a third category," Sir Christopher told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Read more
db: Ouch!! Christopher ... I thought they cared!! Never mind - I'm sure Bush will allow Blair to look 'the statesman' later. We will post the pics here @ db - Blair 'the humanitarian', Blair 'with a mind of his own' , Blair 'Of course the killing must stop' not forgetting Blair 'Refuel those jets carrying more bombs to kill Lebanese Kids here no problem'.
posted by exoplanet at 3:36 PM
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