What was the response to the other released Gitmo Brits having been accused falsely?
On Sat, Jun 26, 2004 at 07:23:08AM +0100, Chris Burford wrote: > http://www.guardian.co.uk/guantanamo/story/0,13743,1247759,00.html > > Interesting how this is done. The Attorney General, a government > minister, who is meant to give impartial legal advice (which is then > kept secret - eg whether it is lawful to invade Iraq) has delivered a > speech in a foreign capital - Paris - saying as a matter of pure > jurisprudence that it is difficult to accept the system of military > tribunals at Guantanamo. > > Typically the Blair administration has negotiated the repatriation of > 5 British detainees from Guantanamo Bay (at least one of whom gave > evidence of sexual humiliation and psychological torture going on > there). There are only four remaining. > > And this news story is presented in such a way as to make highly > ambiguous the degree of disagreement between Bush and Blair, and to > treat is as an ongoing part of the business of diplomatic relations. > But the manner of handling, allows others to speculate that the > alliance is not much of an alliance, and for Blair to distance himself > from Bush a little, while putting pressure for Bush to confront the > Pentagon and release the remaining 4 in a gesture that will show he > has not been a poodle. > > And this at a time when Bush is on the retreat internationally and in > Iraq, whereas Blair may just be forgiven in the UK for his realpolitik > that Britain had to decide whether to ally with the USA over a matter > of great importance to that administration. Bush does not have that > excuse, and further adverse events in Iraq may hurt Bush more than > Blair. Which of course might require a sympathetic observation or two > from the Brits, but could work out to be rather favourable to > Britain's role in the world - the peace maker, the peace keeper, but > committed to the rule of law, and with a tolerably efficient body of > armed men at the disposal of a multi-lateralist model of emerging > Empire. > > Meanwhile of course it is just a matter of time before the Brits get > their remaining 4 citizens back from Guantanamo Bay, as Powell's > officials have probably already privately indicated to them. When > these citizens arrive in the UK there will be further news stories, > which the Brits will handle with superb responsibility, but will > further distance Blair if not from Bush, from Rumsfeld, and the > detainees will probably be released. Thereby raising further questions > in the "international community" about whether the USA's military > adventures are in conformity with any concept of international law or > not. > > The well judged balancing act of "Perdious Albion" continues to > unfold, rather professionally. And as a bye-product 4 detainees may > get released. > > If you attempt to be a modern marxist, watch news management to see > how the material balance of forces is moulded in the ideological > superstructure. > > Chris Burford > London -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
