Early exit has Blair's spin doctors in frenzy

Independent Online (SA) ^ | September 3, 2002 | Basildon Peta

[Clive]

British Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett has dismissed a report that Prime Minister Tony Blair "pulled out of the World Summit early" after being ambushed by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

Beckett said the report in Tuesday's Daily Mail was both "false" and "mischievous".

"Remember that the day the Daily Mail will find something good to say about Tony Blair, this will be in his obituary," said Beckett.

Blair was so angry that he made only a brief courtesy appearance The Daily Mail said Blair pulled out of the summit after two vitriolic personal attacks on him by Mugabe and Namibian President Sam Nujoma.

It said Blair was so angry that he made only a brief courtesy appearance at a gala dinner of world leaders before flying home two hours early.

Beckett told journalists that there was no walkout or any snub of any kind. She also dismissed suggestions that Blair should have addressed the Zimbabwe issue.

"We took a calculated decision not to make Zimbabwe an issue, and we stuck to that," said Beckett.

Officials said Blair left early because that was a "convenient time to leave". - Independent Foreign Service

[Clive]

Officials said Blair left early because that was a "convenient time to leave"

It certainly was.

[Clive]

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[Kermit]

Colin Powell showed up at this UN meeting and bascially was booed and heckled into silence. Bush was smart not to go.

[Carry_Okie]

It said Blair was so angry that he made only a brief courtesy appearance at a gala dinner of world leaders before flying home two hours early.

Either tony has a very thin skin to go with that huge ego or he is too stupid to have known better.

[Brian Allen]

<< "Remember that the day the Daily Mail will find something good to say about ... Blair, this will be in his obituary ...." >>

Hmmmm.

A better paper than I'da given it credit for being, then.

Although by far too kind.