Britain's Blair to Visit President Bush

[Eugene]

Britain's Blair to Visit President Bush


Monday May 22, 2006 5:01 PM

AP Photo LON144

CHICAGO (AP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair is due in Washington to meet
with President Bush just days after making a trip to Iraq to see new government
leaders there, the White House announced Monday.

White House spokesman Tony Snow did not provide details, such as which day the pair
will hold their talks. Officials in London said the two leaders will likely focus
on future withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq.

Blair is expected to arrive in Washington at the end of the week although officials
declined to say when because of security precautions. Bush and Blair will meet over
dinner and hold a joint news conference, a spokeswoman for the prime minister's Downing
Street office said.

"What they are going to be doing is talk about Iraq and the next step forward,"
Snow told reporters traveling with Bush to Chicago, where he was delivering remarks
on Iraq and its new government.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5837830,00.html

[habitual]

1. bush gonna cut and run from iraq trying to save his ass

investigation are coming when the dems take control of the house and they are in full DO ANYTHING POSSIBLE to prevent it from happening. Time to ANNOUNCE troop withdrawals that will of course be completely forgotten about once the election is over. When will people open their eyes and see this crap.?

[rocktivity]

2. This should send both their approval ratings

Back into the thirties.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Greeby]

3. Don't call him Britain's Blair

We disown him x(

[kskiska]

4. Is he going to finally accept his Congressionsl Medal of Honor?

It was awarded years ago, but he's been afraid to be seen accepting it.

[Greeby]

5. They gave him the Congressional Medal of Honour?

Oh Jeebus. If there's a greater insult to every veteran who lived and died deserving that honour, this would be it. :puke:

Whats next, giving Bush the Victoria Cross? :eyes:

[kskiska]

9. Yes. Several years ago.

Blair refuses to pick up Bush war honor
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-08-23 13:16

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is refusing to fly to the United States to receive a medal bestowed on him by the nation for his support over last year's Iraq war.

US President George W. Bush has put huge pressure on his closest ally to pick up the Congressional Medal of Honor in person, the Sunday Mirror quoted a senior British government source as saying.

Blair is immensely popular with large sections of the American public for his staunch support of the Iraq war and the White House believes a visit by the prime minister now would provide a much-needed boost to Bush's re-election campaign.

(snip)

"George Bush wants the prime minister to come to Washington and pick up the medal, which is the highest honour America can bestow on a foreigner.

more…
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-08/23/content_368006.htm

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. From Saturday: Whatever happened to ... Blair's congressional gold medal?

Rumours began - which have never since disappeared - that the real reason for the delay is the ongoing homegrown concern over the Iraq war and the special relationship with America. There was plenty of substance behind the prime minister's self-deprecating joke to Congress that its warm welcome was "more than I deserve, and more than I'm used to". Picking up a medal in Washington while British soldiers continue to die in Iraq is unlikely to go down well.

The question now is: how much longer will Blair drag his feet? The old line that it takes a long time to mint the medal looks increasingly disingenuous. Nelson Mandela got his in 56 days; John Paul II's took 165. Last December, Blair brushed aside a parliamentary question on the topic, saying he had "one or two other things to do at the moment". A Downing Street spokesman now confirms there are no current plans to pick it up. Conservative commentators have complained that this is a "snub" to the American people.

Interestingly, this is not the first US award that Blair has failed to acknowledge. In 2003, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honour. Previous winners include Ronald Reagan, Rudy Giuliani and Muhammad Ali, yet the PM has still been unable to collect the award. "I don't think it's going to happen now," says a spokesperson for the award's sponsor.

Meanwhile, Westminster gossip suggests that Blair intends to collect the congressional gold medal after he has relinquished the keys to number 10. Yet the prospect of baubles in Washington appears to be offering little incentive to hurry his departure. And how much will the next prime minister appreciate struggling with Blair's legacy at home while his predecessor basks in transatlantic glory?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1779306,00.html

[sweetheart]

6. Mussolini visits Hitler in Berlin

The axis of fundametalists who hear voices from god
is having a meeting to prepare for the barbarrossa
invasion.

[ShockediSay]

7. maybe they should meet in Baghdad, and stay there awhile

it's nice weather there this time of year

[smirkymonkey]

8. Why? Aren't his poll numbers low enough already?

I would think any world leader in their right mind would do best to steer as clear of GWB as possible.

[daleo]

10. A little planning for the Iran attack?

I recall that the poodle made some trips to visit the chimp just before the Iraq invasion.

[Ghost Dog]

11. Yeah, certainly won't be discussing Iran

(or even the alternative Latin-American hit). Right. :think:

[Buck Rabbit]

12. They are going to play a round of

Lame Duck, Lame Duck, Silly Goose.

Tony always lets Georgie win.

[Orsino]

14. Tell him to bring five copies of his resume...

...and wear a suit. Recruiters from Carlyle and Halliburton will be present.