BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi

Subject: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Stu
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 06:44 AM

Part of me thinks only when we sit down and talk to our opposites (however disdainful we may find that) will find a true understanding, so it's a good thing, but part knows Blair won't meet the Dalai Lama (whose country is oppressed by a undemocratic government that flouts human rights and possesses WMDs), and so this is a big dose of hypocrisy and he's grandstanding for the media.

Is this the way forward or is it a mistake?

stigWeard

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Stu
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 06:46 AM

Sorry, I spelt Blair wring in the title.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 06:51 AM

The have a lot in common.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Teribus
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 06:57 AM

Lots of small steps still complete the journey.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 07:09 AM

Stigweard - no, you spelt it CORRECTLY in the title.
:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST,Gordon Highland
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:15 AM

I saw the pictures on Sky News today. Does it not fly in the face of all that is sacred that he sit down with the man who supplied the IRA with arms for all those years?

Dutch Shell seem to be doing very well out of it all, im any case.

Some things can be brushed away as if nothing ever happened, it would seem.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:34 AM

You can't make peace talking to your friends, you make peace by talking to the enemy.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST,Gordon Highland
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:46 AM

They didn't look to be enemies to me.

All forgiven, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Teribus
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:50 AM

GUEST,Gordon Highland - 25 Mar 04 - 08:15 AM

You appear to be somewhat confused, those who, "..supplied the IRA with arms for all those years", were those friendly Americans. NOT the American Government I hasten to add, just the Plastic Paddy's who cling on to their Celtic Roots out of pure love of the Ould Country. However, it must be said that the US Courts and legal system played their part too in ensuring that the weapons continued to flow, resulting in the deaths of almost 3,500 people over the course of the "troubles".

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:55 AM

Hear Hear Teribus, right on the button. Guest, Gordon Highland - listen to Stan Rogers' "House Of Orange", he was right on the button too.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST,Gordon Highland
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 09:17 AM

And I suppose it was those same 'Plastic Paddy's' who helped set off our own 11 Sept, in Lockerbie.

Where did the Claudia and the Eskund come from, then?
And Semtex?

Now we're going to supply him with arms and technology.

It seems Mr Blair can do no wrong in some peoples' eyes, and how quickly things change.
We'll be talking to Bin Laden next, I expect

When is a war criminal not a war criminal?
When we're kissing his ass, apparently.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST,Gordon Highland
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 09:50 AM

3523, to be exact, and not all done by the Paddys
Between ourselves and the Proddies, we managed to knotch up quite a bit of that total, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 10:11 AM

I find the whiole thing sick.
Mind you - when was the last time President Gadaffi invaded another country against international laws and opinions?
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Amos
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 10:28 AM

Blair made it clear he was not forgetting the past but trying to move beyond it.

According to some arguments here we should not try to move beyond the past without subjecting it to intensive processes of trial. But Gaddafi's last year has been one of asserted and apparent reform, vboting to side with the West against Al Qeda and the various terrorist elements he now disavows. Looks good on the face of it, doesn't it?

Why does it feel like there's a lot being left untold about it?

For example, the Dutch Shell connection? Anyone know any more about that?

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 10:33 AM

Click here

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Amos
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 10:50 AM

From FOrbes Magazine (an excerpt):

"LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) - British companies have secured an important toe-hold in Libya, seizing on improved relations to line up deals in energy and aviation, but the juiciest prizes in the oil-rich country are likely to go to U.S. firms.

To Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, whose country's most coveted asset is its oil and gas, the U.S. dollar speaks much louder than the British pound, oil industry experts said.

"Gaddafi knows the only game in town is Washington, so there'll be a big slice of Libyan oil for the Americans..," said Fred Halliday of the London School of Economics.

He said there was plenty of oil, gas and other business for Western firms, but added: "The United States is the power in the world, the only power with the ability to actually overthrow him, and the only power that might just achieve some of the things Gaddafi wants to see happen."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair shook hands with the West's old foe in Tripoli on Thursday. In doing so, he began to usher Libya out of the investment wilderness -- and into the arms of London-listed firms Royal Dutch/and BAE Systems ."

Seems a lot clearer when you follow the money, doesn't it?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Peace
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 10:58 AM

The difference between $2.00 whores and $1000 call girls is price.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Stu
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 11:03 AM

Bang on, Amos.

The money is what's at stake here. oil in particular, as the western powers look for other suppliers for this finite natural resource.

Going back to my original post, if the Tibetans were sitting on vast reserves of hydrocarbons then perhaps Tone and Dubbya would be more interested in what's going on there.

As it happens, US and UK business already have access to the Chinese market (the fact a Grand Prix is being held in Shanghai was due to sponsor pressure) so as far as the western world is concerned, the oppressed people of Tibet can take a hike - they can't make money from them so their plight isn't worth fighting for.

I met the Dalai Lama's sister, Jetsun Pema once. The tale she told of what she saw when she went back as part of the Tibet Government-in-exile's fact finding mission was one of the most truly heart-rending things I've ever heard in my life.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 12:54 PM

Teribus has the IRA responsible for the deaths of 3500 in the sick six, and does this nutter expect us to believe all the rest of the long-winded drivel he sends to the people on this Site.
It would be interesting to know how much he is getting from the Brit dirty tricks dept, after all he was a squaddie, armed to the teeth, in a land he wasn`t welcome in.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Gareth
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:08 PM

Ard Mhacha Are you attempting to say that the IRA did not murder people ?

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Amos
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:15 PM

Gentlemen, gentlemen: go to your corners and start a separate thread about who did what when and why.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Gareth
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:17 PM

Nice try !

I find the whiole thing sick.
Mind you - when was the last time President Gadaffi invaded another country against international laws and opinions?
Quack!

Leaving out border excursions to the East ie Egypt, those of us with longer memories will recall the overthrow of Idi Amin consequent upon Amins invasion of Tanzania, backed by Libyan Troops flown into Uganda.

IIRC the surviving Libyans were repatiated by the Tanzanians.

All of which miosses the main point, that diplomacy can work, when suitably backed by the possibility of an undiplomatic solution.

I am confident that 'Catters will recognize the criticism here of Blair for what it is, the triumph of prejudice over logic.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:23 PM

Read your friend Gordon Highlander and he will put you and Treibus right about the breakdown of the various murders, he may also give you an insight into the collusion that went on between the British Army and the Loyalist murder squads, resulting in the deaths of innocent Catholics.
To date the Cory report has not been made public by the Blair government, the learned Canadian Judge was disgusted at Blair for holding back on not releasing this information on the deaths of the two Lawyers Rosemary Nelson and Pat Finucane.
Gaddaffi and Blair will work out a nice nest-egg for some of the big companies in England and also supply Gaddaffi with the latest in killing machines.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Gareth
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:52 PM

Ard M Yet again you avoid the question

Ard Mhacha Are you attempting to say that the IRA did not murder people ?

Still at least this time the Libyans will not be supplying arms to the IRA murder machine.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Chief Chaos
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 02:11 PM

I, You, He, She, We, They murdered whomever. Get over it. THere is not one nation state that has not been or is not now guilty of that crime. We need to move on.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST,Gordon Highland
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 03:05 PM

"that diplomacy can work, when suitably backed by the possibility of an undiplomatic solution." Gareth 25 Mar 04 - 01:17 PM

That worked the other way around in Northern Ireland

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 03:37 PM

Idi Amin - let me see - educated and trained by the British Army. A family friend who had met him during that period said he was regarded as a good officer.
A one time workmate lived and worked in Libya during the 1980s. He regarded the way the Libyan government treated it's own people exemplary compared to most of the African and Arab dictatorships supported by successive British Governments.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 03:58 PM

I seem to recall that Libya's main crime in the eyes of America was that it is a Socialist governed Dictatorship, and so is run by the same devil who controlled Fidel Castro and Kruschev.
potted history of modern Libya
Actually, the thing I find most opffensive is that Tony Blair is shaking the hand of a leader who brought in Socialist changes to his country. He nationalised the banks, oil production and the runninf=g of the country. Blair, on the other hand supports invasion of sovereign states, sucks up to capitalists and has sold our country down the river.
I know which leader I have more respect for.
GTD.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Jim McCallan
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 08:50 AM

I dont really know what other 'small steps ' Teribus is talking about, that supposedly complete this journey. Perhaps you could give us some examples of this.

As far as I see it, it is all over, including the shouting, and all that went before will be consigned to that bottomless wastepaper bin called 'The Past'.

And much as I detest the the blatant predjudice of that named guest above, I have to agree that (as an 'ex-squaddie' myself, who has served in the province), we and the 'Proddys' did account for a fair amount of that total in one way or another I'm sorry to say, Gareth, although at the same time I don't think anyone is seriously going to suggest that the IRA didn't kill anybody. Not even the statistics on that website that Guest G H directed us to, bear that out.

So in that, Teribus may also be right, in so far as we may have overstated Gaddaffi's significance in killing 3500 people in the troubles.

I concur with Amos, though. This is not an IRA thread, and although I would prefer not to see one, certainly start one if you think it is going to change any perception people already have of that quagmire, now also (thankfully) consigned to 'The Past'

Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Teribus
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 08:50 AM

Geoff the Duck, just to put it into perspective Idi Amin was Sergeant in the Ugandan Army before Independence, not an officer - that came later, he was promoted/commissioned by Milton Obote.

ard mhacha - 25 Mar 04 - 12:54 PM

Just to refute some of your drivel,

Where exactly do I say that - "the IRA responsible for the deaths of 3500"?

From the, "Brit dirty tricks dept" - I receive lots and lots, a fantastically obscene amount of money Ard - every month, have done for years - and if you believe that you'll believe anything (which judging by some of the crap you come out with is just possible).

"...after all he was a squaddie (not true), armed to the teeth (on occasion), in a land he wasn`t welcome in (Not so: First tour - greatly welcomed by the those in the Catholic areas we were protecting; Second tour greatly welcomed by the greater majority of the community we were protecting from the indisrciminate bombings, maimings and killings being perpetrated by the paramilitaries of both sides)."

Question for you Ard - name me ONE member of any Nationalist/Republican paramilitary organisation who saved anybody's life? I don't count bombers or bomb-makers who managed to blow themselves up either constructing their bomb or in transit while delivering that bomb to its target.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Teribus
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 09:27 AM

Psst! Jim McCallan - 26 Mar 04 - 08:50 AM

The Loyalists bought weapons through Libya too - on one documented occasion representatives from both sides were in a hotel in Tripoli at exactly the same time doing their respective deals with the arms salesmen.

Gadaffi got disaffected with the NI scene quite early on, as did the PLO. The money to buy the arms came from America throughout.

According to link supplied by Guest G H:

Organisation responsible for the death puts out of 3523 deaths as follows:

Forces of Law & Order North & South - 10.45%

Loyalist Paramilitaries - 28.95%

Republican/Nationalist Paramilitaries - 58.33%

Unknown - 2.27%

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Jim McCallan
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 09:42 AM

"The Loyalists bought weapons through Libya too -"

I know, Teribus. But your earlier way of assessing the situation: "US Courts and legal system played their part too in ensuring that the weapons continued to flow, resulting in the deaths of almost 3,500 people over the course of the 'troubles'", seemed to imply that it was these weapons that the US Courts and legal system ensured continued to flow, which resulted in the deaths of (over) 3500 people in the course of the troubles.

I'm sure you must know also, that The good Colonel actually gave the stuff away on occassion.

I'll be fairly interested to see how all of this pans out with the British public, though. We have been so entrenched against him for years, it will certainly be a PR coup if everybody swallows it.

Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Teribus
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 10:18 AM

Hi Jim,

Sorry about that misunderstanding, totally my fault, I should have made it clearer.

Watched CNN last night, the British father of one of the Lockerbie victims was fairly positive about this meeting, he seemed more pissed off at Michael Howard for jumping in immediately and criticising the visit on the grounds that it would offend the relatives/loved ones of those killed. The father being interviewed was of the opinion that if Howard was going to come out with a statement like that he should have contacted their association first before attempting to speak on their behalf. An interview with an American father who had lost his son on that flight was completely different, he just couldn't believe that anything like this could be allowed to happen. So it takes folks in different ways, even those closely involved.

The general Brit public? They were, I believe, 100% behind Blair when he took the steps necessary to bring about the Good Friday Agreement. Hopefully they will go along in a similar manner with this.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Stu
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 10:39 AM

Oh well, it's nice to know the thread that I started to highlight the governments hipocrisy about the Tibet situation has degenerated into another slagging match about the monumental balls-up that is Northern Ireland.

Well, here's the news - it's wrong to kill innocent people whether you're a Provo, Loyalist, Al-Qaeda supporter, Fred West, Israeli conscript, Hamas bomber, a drunk driver, George and Tony by proxy or who the bloody hell ever.

In the end, everyone's going to have put their guns down and talk, just like the Dalai Lama's trying to do with the Chinese, with no support from Tony.

Free Tibet!

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Teribus
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 10:59 AM

OK Stigweard,

What should out Tony do then?

Better still what has that august body, The United Nations, done about it. Seem to remember that Tone gets a bit of stick if he doesn't do what the UN, France, Germany, et al want him to do, or does things without them clearing it first.

When has our Tone been in a position to do something about Tibet?

Do you honestly expect any leader not to advance the chance of a peaceful solution to one diplomatic wrangle, just because he can't solve all the world's ills at the same time.

In answer to your question - Yes it is a way forward with regard to UK-Libyan relations, that being the case, it has no connection whatsoever to Tibet - Fair enough?

If you want to talk about Politicians and hypocracy - Pleeeeease it's been done to death.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Stu
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 11:42 AM

What should Tony do then?

Well, for starters he should meet with the Dalai Lama instead of making weak excuses for avoiding him - details. Remember, His Holiness is a geniune man of peace - a true believer in dialogue not bombs would be eager to meet a man of such experience.

The UN has done a fair bit, but as we all are aware these days, the UN is now little more than a gossip shop if the people with the biggest guns decide they're going to do what they want anyway. UN resolutions (and others passed in national parliments) on Tibet are available for viewing here.

When has our Tone been in a position to do something about Tibet?
All world leaders are in a position to do something about Tibet. Remember, it was under a 'Labour' government Tibet flags were confiscated from peaceful law-abiding protesters during the Chinese Premier's visit. Even making the point to the Chinese would be a start - George Bush meets with the Dalai Lama - Tone normally follows his lead.

As for the Libyan meeting, I think it is a move in the right directon, but he should have sent the man of Straw first and not gone himself -small steps!

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: ard mhacha
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 12:16 PM

At last I don`t believe it, a truthful squaddie, Gordon Highland tell the unenlightened some more of the collusion between the Brits and the Loyalist murder gangs, Gareth and Teribus never ever comment on this.
Judge Corys reports may unearth a nest of vipers,so tell Tony when he has stopped crawling up Omar`s ass, to get on with it, why the wait, surely he should have no worries.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Teribus
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 12:22 PM

Your first link - So the Prime Minister of the UK was busy? Has anybody said that he categorically would not see him? - Or has that just become fact because you and Ms Carrick THINK that?

Stigweard, ould son, the UN has ALWAYS only been a talking shop, there purely to serve the self-interests of its members - not its intended purpose I know but that is what it is in FACT. So the UN managed to pass three resolutions, which all seem to be repeats dating back from 1959, well it's only 2004, early days yet in terms of UN time. Interestingly enough, no resolutions at all from the British.

Make what point to the Chinese? That Tibet should be an independent country? Not even the Dalai Lama wants that (according to Ms Carrick). After having made our point to the Chinese what do we then do if they ignore it? - Not talk to them? Pretend they don't exist?

Get Dalia Lama to talk to Chinese - first small step - fuck-all to do with UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Teribus
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 12:32 PM

Question for you Ard - name me ONE member of any Nationalist/Republican paramilitary organisation who saved anybody's life?

By the bye Ard, I can tell you about the collusion between various Republican Groups and the British Army, when certain Republican/Nationalist wanted internal scores settled in a way that would provide the desired result, but look right - if yuh know what I mean.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Spot
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 01:13 PM

Methinks leopards and gaddafi's never really change their spots!!! Dunno what Bliars playin at, either....I feel once gaddofis got some money into his country, he may well use it against us...Thanks again Bliar....Just my feelings.
Regards to all...Spot

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: DougR
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 01:56 PM

Gaddaffi got scared shitless he may be next on Bush's invasion list. He decided the better part of valor would be to scrap his nuclear program and join the side of the West. I would think all you peace loving folks would see this as a good sign!

Blair's visit to Libya was a positive step and, in my opinion, should be viewed as such. Former enemies later becoming allies is nothing new. While the "never changes it's spots" analogy may be true, the important thing is Libya will become less a threat to the world because of Gaddaffi's actions.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST,Tír Eoghain
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 03:24 PM

What does a provo do when he's not being a provo, Bill?

Among other occupations, he/she is an ambulance driver, a fireman, a doctor, a nurse.

What does the Reservist, the UDR member, and many of your sort do when they finish duty?
Get pissed in the mess, go kill a Catholic or two, and claim responsibility in Billy Wright's name.
Why do they do this?
BECAUSE THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME!!
As you must well know

Are you thinking of cutlery that is used for slicing meat?
Or for just cutting the gristle off it?

Sanctimonius Fuck.......

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: ard mhacha
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 04:12 PM

Gordon Highland why don`t you invite Gareth and Teribus to do a survey on the collusion between HM Forces and the Loyalist murder gangs, after all Gareth along with his Tory mate Cllr went on a wild goose chase to suss out personation in our fag end of the British Empire.
Teribus wouldn`t know a lot about the Claudia and the Eskund, but he may be able to inform us of the security force weapons that were used in the murder of Catholics.

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 05:38 PM

Wasn't there a Jazz musician once called Sanctimonius Fuck?

Oh, sorry.... I'm thinking of Thelonious Monk...

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 06:55 PM

Good old Gadaffi.... Caught on camera exposing the sole of his foot to Blair.

No greater insult.....

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Jim McCallan
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 06:01 AM

From this morning's 'Daily Mirror''Cobblers To You Tony'

It's like everything else, I suppose. One believes what one wants to believe.

Jim

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Stu
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 06:17 AM

Teribus - your normal fine debating ability seems to have deserted you in this case. Obviously distracted by the


Get Dalia Lama to talk to Chinese - first small step

Or, get the Chinese to talk to the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama has been trying to talk to the Chinese for years, have a look here
for the latest installments on that. I think it's diffcult to reason with somebody who is intent on destroying your culture and occupying your country especially in the case of an authoritarian regeime with WMDs and a huge army.


fuck-all to do with UK

So eloquently put, and wrong. But, like Iraq, has a lot to do with the Britain, as a read of this
will tell you.

After having made our point to the Chinese what do we then do if they ignore it? - Not talk to them? Pretend they don't exist?

What, like your mates in NI do with each other? Doesn't work. Innocent people die (not good -remember?) Dialogue is the only way forward, and that is the point of getting the UK invoved.

Iraq + Oil = war + big contracts for western business.

Libya + Oil = grandstanding Prime Minister (who may, I accept, be right in this case) + big contracts for western business.

Tibet + Yaks = UK (led by Tone and cronies) stands idly by while only truly peaceful culture on earth destroyed + big contracts for western business in China (who we don't want to upset over the fate of a few Tibetans with vast untapped mineral desposits).

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: DougR
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 12:54 PM

I'm somewhat at a loss to see what Tibet has to do with Libya.

As to Gadaffi pointing his foot, big deal. Gadaffi may want to show his Arab friends that he is not Blair's buddy. I doubt Blair would invite him for cocktails at 10 Downing Street either, unless it was a formal diplomatic occasion. Friendship is not necessary so long as Libya gets rid of it's nuclear ambitions.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: GUEST,Tír Eoghain
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 01:34 PM

Teribus is probably in Landsdowne Road watching Scotland's ass getting kicked.

It would be nice if he was!

Subject: RE: BS: Bliar shakes hands with Gaddaffi
From: Stu
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 03:38 AM

DougR -

I'm trying to point out (in my own clumsy way) the ethics of Blair meeting with Gaddaffi (lunatic and very dangerous), whilst he won't make time to meet the Dalai Lama, the leader of a people who are suffering terribly at the hands of a tyrannical regime.

If Blair is so concerned about human rights and righting wrongs, why doesn't he even acknowlege the DL?