Posted on 06/09/2007 6:28:58 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Tony Blair told Vladimir Putin yesterday that the world was becoming more and more afraid of Russia’s behaviour at home and abroad.
And as he left his last G8 summit in Germany Mr Blair predicted a lengthy period of deep freeze in relations between Russia and the West.
The two men, who have been sparring with each other from a distance for weeks, had a tense, hour-long encounter in the Caroline Room at the Kempinski Grand Hotel. Mr Blair emerged alone, a fixed smile on his face.
But when he spoke to reporters later at Rostock airport shortly before flying home he did not attempt to disguise that it had been a hard encounter or that he had been frustrated by the outcome.
He had gone into the meeting determined to speak his mind, knowing that it was the last time he would have to deal with Mr Putin but anxious to get a strong message across.
Aides said that as it was their last encounter there was no need for false bonhomie. As usual, photographers went into the room to record the event but Mr Blair asked them to leave swiftly, keen to get on with the serious business of their final chat.
Mr Blair raised the murder of the former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, Mr Putin’s threats to train missiles on Europe and the treatment of international companies in Russia, particularly BP.
The atmosphere at a personal level was “cordial”, he said. “But there are real issues and I do not think they will be resolved any time soon.”
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Oh Tony, did not not get the memo? According to International Leftism it is all because of Bush. See Putie is just acting up because he is afraid of nasty old Bush.
What an amazingly telling photo. For all his faults, and they do exist, I still have a lot of admiration for Tony Blair.
Same here....
Still, it probably wouldn’t hurt to bring a geiger counter to any meeting you might have with him.
Well, Tony's country is pretty dependent on Russia's natural gas, although the U.S. isn't. Our only conceivable fear of Russia is their nukes, but neither Putin nor any of his possible successors are that crazy.
He was not murdered. Litvinenko became exposed to Polonium while delivering it to Chechen terrorists, with whom he was allied. He was a villain and his death should be welcomed. Note also that his last act before death was a conversion to Islam.
Above: Marina, center, the wife of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, leaves University College Hospital in London, accompanied by Chechen Foreign Minister Akhmed Zakayev following the announcement of her husband's death.
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