Blair fails to win Guantanamo deal from Bush

[Whoa_Nelly]

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tony Blair has failed to wring concessions from President George W. Bush on the fate of British citizens jailed at the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

The treatment of at least nine Britons being held without trial as "enemy combatants" has been a note of discord in the staunch U.S.-British alliance in the war on global terrorism

<snip>
At a joint news conference, Bush said on Thursday discussions were continuing, but insisted that the court procedures in place would allow the detainees' cases to be handled fairly.

"Justice is being done..." Bush said. "And they are being treated in a humane fashion."

more...
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=406736§ion=news

[joeybee12]

1. Why are the Britons keeping Blair? He's simply a lapdog

for the most hated man in the world--they need a leader with a spine! Sort of the way we Dems do!

[Skidmore]

2. This is * covering Tony's tush...

since Tony is more politically vulnerable. * is pretty sure of himself right now and the fawning minions have assured him that he's preparing for a second coronation.

[E_Zapata]

3. And bush is snickering away........Suckerrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

Bush made innuendos that he would 'address' the brits in Gitmo issue when he came to London for his royal procession.

Blair needed, more than anything, for Bush to ORDER the return of the brit prisoners.

And bush just fucked him.....

Welcome to the world the rest of us live in, Tony!

[Socialist Christian]

4. I'm sick of Lapdog Liberals (alliteration) We need one with a backbone.

O Leader where art thou

[truthspeaker]

5. "Down, Poodle!"

"No begging! Down! Bad Poodle!"

{whimper}

[lefty_mcduff]

6. Wow. Honor among thieves.

Down, Tony. Bad Poodle.

[edzontar]

7. This will hurt Blair VERY badly...

Thanks so much, George...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

8. For all anyone knows, there may be people who went in and are never

leaving. It's hard to release dead people to good press.

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. And here's a follow-up story--doesn't make sense

This doesn't make sense, except that * is leaving the decision in the hands of his friends on the Supreme Court. He could probably care less. Perhaps he got a Rove call and was told to issue further statements that would appease the Britons and further lessen the hatred that so many over there have for him.


US offers to send home Britons detained in Guantanamo Bay
Press Trust of India
London, November 20

US President George W Bush has offered to fly nine Britons detained in Guantanamo Bay back to their country if British Government is not satisfied with arrangements for their trial in America.

<snip>
He told Kennedy that if the British Government was not happy with whatever arrangements were agreed for a military tribunal he would allow the detainees to return for trial.

Briefing journalists on Wednesday on his discussion with the US President, Kenney said Bush would declare "here are the tickets, and they can come back to Britain."

more...
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_466186,00050001.htm

[E_Zapata]

10. More like......tony applied an effective thumbscrew to bush......

and it must be quite the leverage........to backtrack like this.

[whirlygigspin]

12. maybe if Tony is lucky

Bush will kick him in the nuts.

[larryepke]

13. I don't think this is backtracking

Note that the story does NOT say that the U.S. is sending the prisoners home; only that Boy George may, at some time in the future, send them back IF THE U.K. asks.

Probably Tony Boy has agreed never to ask.

[Sagan]

11. the first two words are sufficient

"Blair fails"

[Khephra]

14. Humane as in

The Humane Society

Locked up in cages until they're taken home or killed.