Tony Blair Defends America While in Indonesia

Times Online UK ^ | April 1, 2006 | Philip Webster / Teresa Neumann

[GretchenM]

"You have a view of America which is not a view I share."

While in Indonesia this week, schoolchildren asked visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair probing questions which reflected the depth of mistrust toward the West that they may have been indoctrinated with.

At an Islamic boarding school "twinned" with the Holy Family School in Keighley, West Yorkshire, Blair was given an "enthusiastic" welcome by pupils "concerned" about their "brothers and sisters" in Iraq and Palestine, followed by a question and answer session.

Mr. Blair, without apology, told the students that despite their opposition to the war in Iraq, they must see that the removal of Saddam Hussein had given that right to the people of Iraq. "It means that the politicians are now underneath the people, not the people underneath the politicians," he said. "You feel very strongly that what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan was wrong. I understand that," added Blair. "But in those countries now people can vote and their governments should decide what is right and what is wrong. You might say Iraqi Muslims want this, I might say they want that. But the best test of what the people truly wanted was how they voted."

Blair also said: "You have a view of America which is not a view I share. We have got to see how we build a bridge of understanding between the West and the Muslim world. That doesn't mean we always agree, but we understand why we disagree. That's the important thing so that in the end even if we do disagree we never distrust or hate each other."

[Millicent_Hornswaggle]

ping

[GretchenM]

FYI

[originalbuckeye]

Terrific to see other world leaders defend us. Now if our own politicians, past and present, would be so kind when they are out of the country. I won't hold my breath!

[ncountylee]

mistrust toward the West that they may have been indoctrinated with.

Hey Times...check out the Muslim terror manual, it's called the Koran.

[GretchenM]

I agree, very nice to see this.

I think Tony's getting tigerish as his time at #10 gets short.

But I'm glad someone's showing the young and the brainwashed there IS another (and the right) way to view America and what we do.

[EagleUSA]

Terrific to see other world leaders defend us. Now if our own politicians, past and present, would be so kind when they are out of the country.
------
Yeah, like Gore and Clinton -- the two traitorous pigs.

[Tzimisce]

Meanwhile Clinton is in England slashing the United States apart - talk about ironic.

[headstamp]

Fascinating contrast isn't it.


Class vs. the absolutely classless.

[snugs]

As you know at home I have differences aplenty with Tony Blair but I have to say I agree with him on this one. What his motives for saying it is another matter but whatever I am glad he has said it.

[snugs]

I saw the Clinton interview on the BBC last night he stopped short of trashing the US just about or the BBC edited it so he did. In fact it was awful editing you could not get a feel for the interview at all maybe the BBC were making sure that Clinton came over well and did not harm Hillary's election chances.

It certainly was a left wing interview with Clinton singing Tony Blair's praises and also plugging Gordon Brown for next Prime Minister. Maybe someone should point out to Clinton unless Tony resigns part way through the term it will be the electorate to decide whether Brown becomes PM by voting more Labour MPs than Conservative into power. The way Clinton was talking it was read that Labour would form the next government. Typical left sticking together

[snugs]

By the way one of our right wing papers did a lovely April Fools joke about Blair painting Number 10 in Socialist Red.

I have scanned the article here is a link to it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/fairlands/News/DailymailAprilFool2006.jpg

[GretchenM]

Ironies abounding.

[NZerFromHK]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but The Times is regarded the Establishment paper. Not really leftist and usually very slightly moderately conservative. But it seems to trail the editorial line of the Guardian by 10 years.

[snugs]

Yes the Times is the establishment paper. The one that the city elite would read on the train to work and compete with each other to complete the crossword each morning.

The Guardian is more the "establishment"/quality paper for Liberals historically (our third party) but in recent years has gone lefter and lefter and now is more Socialist than Liberal. At the same time the Liberal Party has moved more to the left as well.

For Conservative/right wing readers the quality newspaper is the Daily Telegraph but you are correct the Times is still regarded as the establishment newspaper even though News International own it.

Incidentally News International (who own FOX) also own our tabloid Sun as well which of recent times has switched from Conservative support to Labour which may explain why the Times has shifted slightly as well.