Carter faults "subservient" Blair

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Sat 19 May 2007 13:02:49 BST

By Peter Graff

LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - Nobel Peace Prize-winning former U.S. President Jimmy Carter denounced outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair's loyal relationship with Washington on Saturday, saying it had worsened the aftermath of war in Iraq.

"Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient," Carter said on Britain's BBC radio when asked how he would characterise Blair's relationship with U.S. President George W. Bush.

"I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world," Carter said.

If Blair had opposed the invasion, the British prime minister might not have been able to stop it, but he could have lessened the harm that followed by making it more difficult for Washington to shrug off critics, Carter said.

"It would certainly have assuaged the problems that have (arisen) lately," Carter said.

"One of the defences of the Bush administration in America and worldwide... has been: 'Okay, we must be more correct in our actions than the world thinks because Great Britain is backing us,'" Carter said.

"I think the combination of Bush and Blair giving their support to this tragedy in Iraq has strengthened the effort and has made opposition less effective and has prolonged the war and increased the tragedy that has resulted."

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/CrisesArticle.aspx?rpc=401&storyId=L19220448

[whistle]

1. President Jimmy Carter nailed Blair completely...

...So why would the leader of a major world power like the U.K. kiss Dubya's ass in so many different ways? Could it be that the UK now owns America?

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2. BP

Oil

[whistle]

3. Aha, of course I totally forgot about BP, my baddy

[KoKo]

4. WOW! That's very harsh coming from a former President...and particularly from Carter...

but Good on Him for saying the TRUTH! Blair's performance this week with Bush was revolting at that Presser. Even the MSM didn't dwell on how drunk Bush seemed and how weird Blair was in his fawning over Bush. There was little of the Press Conf. scene that night but I caught the whole thing.

There's a video link I posted somewhere here.... It's worth the watch if anyone has time this weekend.

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6. Carter nailed him

perfect

[blueworld]

5. Carter, excellent assessment as always

When Chirac & the rest of the EU & Russia were resisting the pre-emptive bs by insisting on continuing the UN inspections until June, it was the support of Tony Blair that turned France into a pariah & gave credibility to Bush's lies. Disgusting. :puke:

[supernova]

7. Gee, Jimmy

tell us how you really feel! Don't hold back or anything. :D :rofl: