vortexring 0 #1 August 1, 2006 About time too: >Blair to call for a new Middle East policy 01/08/2006 19:06 By Adrian Croft LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tony Blair called for a rethink of the West’s strategy to defeat extremism in the Middle East, once the immediate Israel-Lebanon crisis is resolved, according to excerpts of a speech released on Tuesday. Blair -- who has come under fire at home for siding squarely with the United States over the 21-day-old war between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas -- said the international community must continue to do all it can to halt the hostilities, according to the speech released by his spokesman. "Once that has happened, we must commit ourselves to a complete renaissance of our strategy to defeat those that threaten us," Blair said according to the speech due to be delivered later on Tuesday to the World Affairs Council, a non-profit international affairs organisation in Los Angeles. "There is an arc of extremism now stretching across the Middle East and touching with increasing definition countries from outside that region.< Wonder what brought this all about Tony criticising the American strategy!? Can't he see how well it's working? 'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #2 August 1, 2006 He was seen earlier today.... talking the Governor Arnie.... enough said. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vortexring 0 #3 August 1, 2006 I know he's only stating the bloody obvious but for once I couldn't agree more: >To defeat it will need an alliance of moderation that paints a different future in which Muslim, Jew and Christian, Arab and Western, wealthy and developing nations can make progress in peace and harmony with each other," Blair said in the speech. Blair has been engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas but his failure to call for an immediate cease-fire and his support for the U.S. position has drawn sharp criticism at home. Blair said the war in the Middle East was in part a fight between "reactionary Islam and moderate mainstream Islam." "My argument is that we will not win the battle against this global extremism unless we win it at the level of values as much as force, unless we show we are even handed, fair and just in our advocation of those values to the world. "In reality we are at present far away from persuading those we need to persuade that this is true," the speech added. "Unless we reappraise our strategy, unless we revitalise the broader global agenda on poverty, climate change, trade, and in respect of the Middle East, bend every sinew of our will to making peace between Israel and Palestine, we will not win and this is a battle we must win," he said in the speech. Blair is wrapping up a five-day visit to the United States during which he held talks with U.S. President George W. Bush over the Middle East crisis. His speech came as three British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan and one was killed in Basra in southern Iraq.<< Sense at last - he basically means if we continue following and not causing enough influence regarding U.S. strategy we're, in a nutshell, fucked. No big surprise there eh? p.s. didn't I harp on about the necessity of hearts and minds earlier??? 'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #4 August 1, 2006 Blair is in the states (in part) to beg for his next job, when he slinks out of Downing Street. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #5 August 2, 2006 So... Invading them... Bombing them back into the stone age... shooting them... Occupying their country... Etc... Doesn't work. No Shit, Sherlock! Tony B'Liar, News International's newest political columnist, certainly has his finger on the pulse... And, no doubt, Rupert Murdoch's cock in his mouth! Can't you just see him & Dubbie doing a "Point-Counterpoint" thing at the bottom of the hour!!? Dubbie: "We should just bomb the bastards back to the stone Age!" B'Liar: "Yes... But in an understanding way that's in line with their culture!" Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #6 August 2, 2006 wow.... you must be Rorry Bremner... uncanny (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
