Exclusive: Private talks between Tony Blair and George Bush on Iraq war to be published

[ErikJ]

Source: The Independent

Oliver Wright

Sunday, 29 December 2013
The Government is working to declassify more than 100 secret documents detailing discussions that took place between Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and George Bush in the run-up to the Iraq war. The Independent understands that, in an unprecedented move, a cache of notes from Mr Blair to Mr Bush, records of telephone conversations and meetings, as well as up to 200 minutes of cabinet-level discussions are to be published in the new year.


The release of the documents, which is likely to be in the next few months, will clear the way for Sir John Chilcot’s Iraq Inquiry to publish its long-awaited report into Britain’s involvement in the conflict.

There had been fears that Mr Blair and the US authorities would block the release of the confidential papers, which are said to provide an intimate picture of how decisions were made in the lead-up to war.

On Sunday, a government source said that “good progress” had been made towards declassifying many of the records. “The intention is to be as open as possible,” they said. “There is an ongoing process of declassification, which is attempting to strike a careful balance to ensure that you are not setting a legal precedent that could oblige you to publish other documents in the future or damage national security.”

The process is being led by the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, and is expected to be completed “within the next few months”. David Cameron, Nick Clegg and other senior ministers do not know what the documents contain because they refer to discussions that took place under the previous government. A final decision on what to release will be made by Sir Jeremy.

..........................................


Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/exclusive-private-talks-between-tony-blair-and-george-bush-on-iraq-war-to-be-published-9029531.html#

[2naSalit]

1. And

probably 98% of it will be redacted.

[snot]

2. +1.

If not actively altered.

[billhicks76]

3. Exactly

We are in 1984 territory now. He who controls the past controls the present. He who controls the present controls the future.

[Javaman]

11. My very first thought as well. nt

[Cha]

4. K&R!

[Prophet 451]

5. I can guess what's in it

George: I'm going to invade Iraq. I'd like you to back us.
Tony: Anything you ask, worshipful master.

[COLGATE4]

12. Didn't know Shrub was

a Mason?

[Enthusiast]

6. They won't release anything that reveals the truth.

Of that you can be 100% certain.

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. “The intention is to be as open as possible,”

.
.
.

Oh, I feel much better now!



CC

[Solly Mack]

8. We'll see.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

9. G: you got any more Moss Green. I wanna finish this book.

T: here you go. It's nice how you stay within the lines. Good job.
G: you should try it. Mommy said it really relaxes you.
T: ok. So, do we invade or not?
G: hell, yes. Armies get stale if you don't use em.

[KoKo]

10. lols...maybe there's a whistleblower

who will eventually release the redacted info. Still we might get a few nuggets to carry the MSM for a week or two, in order to spin away in the direction intended.

Sorry to be such a cynic...

[on point]

13. Everything except how they conspired to commit war crimes.

[KansDem]

14. Imagine the exchange...

G: "Hey, Tony?"
T: "Yes, Mr. President?"
G: "Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."
T: ?
G: "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family."
T: ?
G: "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
T: ?
G: "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country."
T: ?
G: "They misunderestimated me."
T: ?
G: "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"
T: ?
G: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
T: ?
G: "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."
T: ?
G: "Hey, look, Tony. This is gettin' to be a bit one-sided. Maybe I'd better call back later when you got somethin' to say!"
T: "Of course, Mr. President. As you wish."


(Thank you, Supreme Bozos! )

[2banon]

18. that was hilarious! Nice Job collecting dumya's remarkably stupid quotes!

[Nye Bevan]

20. Ummmm.... I hate to correct you, but

it's not "Hey, Tony", it's "Yo Blair!".

[Dopers_Greed]

15. I can imagine it went something like this...

Bush: $$$
Blair: £££

and repeat...

[yurbud]

16. yep--see memo's on BP lobbying Tony Blair to join the war:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/secret-memos-expose-link-between-oil-firms-and-invasion-of-iraq-2269610.html

[wildbilln864]

17. k & freakin r! n/t

[PassingFair]

19. See the video: