A fascinating conversation between Tony Blair and George Bush has been caught by the microphones at the G8, when the two men didn’t think they were being overheard. It tells us a lot about the relationship between the two men, about the US-UK special relationship and the two men’s views on the Middle East. Here’s a transcript as best as we can make out. Bush: Yo Blair How are you doing? Blair: I’m just… Bush: You’re leaving? Blair: No, no, no not yet. On this trade thingy…[inaudible] Bush: yeah I told that to the man Blair: Are you planning to say that here or not? Bush: If you want me to Blair: Well, it’s just that if the discussion arises… Bush: I just want some movement. Blair: Yeah Bush: Yesterday we didn’t see much movement Blair: No, no, it may be that it’s not, it maybe that it’s impossible Bush: I am prepared to say it Blair: But it’s just I think what we need to be an opposition Bush: Who is introducing the trade Blair: Angela Bush: Tell her to call 'em Blair: Yes Bush: Tell her to put him on them on the spot.Thanks for [inaudbible] it’s awfully thoughtful of you Blair: It’s a pleasure Bush: I know you picked it out yourself Blair: Oh, absoultely, in fact [inaudble] Bush: What about Kofi [inaudible] his attitude to ceasefire and everything else … happens Blair: Yeah, no I think the [inaudible] is really difficult. We can’t stop this unless you get this international business agreed. Bush: Yeah Blair: I don’t know what you guys have talked about but as I say I am perfectly happy to try and see what the lie of the land is but you need that done quickly because otherwise it will spiral Bush: I think Condi is going to go pretty soon Blair: But that’s that’s that’s all that matters. But if you, you see it will take some time to get that together Bush: Yeah, yeah Blair: But at least it gives people… Bush: It’s a process, I agree. I told her your offer to… Blair: Well…it’s only if I mean… you know. If she’s got a…, or if she needs the ground prepared as it were… Because obviously if she goes out, she’s got to succeed, if it were, whereas I can go out and just talk Bush: You see, the … thing is what they need to do is to get Syria, to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it’s over Blair: [inaudible] Bush: [inadubile] Blair: Syria Bush: Why? Blair: Because I think this is all part of the same thing Bush: Yeah. Blair: What does he think? He thinks if Lebanon turns out fine, if we get a solution in Israel and Palestine, Iraq goes in the right way… Bush: Yeah, yeah, he is sweet Blair: He is honey. And that’s what the whole thing is about. It’s the same with Thanks to Adam Cottam, Julia Alasheyeva, James Rubin and Barny Green for help compiling this.Iraq Bush: I felt like telling Kofi to call, to get on the phone to Bashad [Bashir Assad](9a and make something happen Blair: Yeah Bush: [inaudible] Blair: Bush: We are not blaming the Lebanese government Blair: Is this…? (at this point Blair taps the microphone in front of him and the sound is cut.)
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