Posted on 01/11/2009 5:17:38 PM PST by bruinbirdman
Former PM overrated his ability to influence White House, says former envoy Lord Levy
Tony Blair enjoyed only "peripheral" influence over President George W Bush and overrated his ability to sway the US administration, according to Lord Levy, the former Middle East envoy.
Mr Blair is expected in the White House on Tuesday to collect the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian award. During his last week in office, Mr Bush has chosen to bestow this accolade upon the former Prime Minister. But Lord Levy, one of Mr Blair's closest allies who served as his Middle East envoy for nine years, told the Daily Telegraph that Britain's influence was strictly limited.
Mr Blair always sought to persuade Mr Bush to place America's full weight behind the search for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Mr Blair "tried very hard", said Lord Levy, and "always regarded this as a very, very important issue". Despite joining America's invasion of Iraq and offering unqualified support for the "war on terrorism", however, Mr Blair was unable to sway Mr Bush on the search for peace in the Middle East.
"At the end of the day, I was always convinced that when Blair thought that he'd moved Bush to a different place on this, he hadn't done so at all," said Lord Levy. "Once Blair was off the phone or Blair was out of Washington, Bush would then listen to others or Bush would then decide that the real progress that was needed here - that the real commitment that was needed - was not there."
Britain's influence on the Middle East was only peripheral, added Lord Levy, and "the same with regard to the influence that Blair had on Bush".
During his presidency, Bill Clinton devoted immense efforts to the
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Good. How much more F'ed up would the Middle East be if George Bush gave anything more than passing consideration to the 'influence' of a liberal like Tony Blair.
Just another thing I can appreciate about President Bush on his way out.
Agreed. These british liberals are nuts the way they consider Bush & Blair “best mates”. Aside from the WOT, I can’t think of a single issue they agree on. Bush ignored Blair’s position on a whole host of “priorities” ranging from the Kyoto threaty to the death penalty system, and Blair got elected in 1997 by running as a British Bill Clinton. If the Brits think Blair is conservative, I’d hate to see their idea of liberal.
THANK GOODNESS!
I for one would enjoy hearing from Blair, but not from “lord” levy.
Go back, read. That is all it is.....lord levy.
During his presidency, Bill Clinton devoted immense efforts to the search for a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
...Did a lot of good didn't it?
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