
| Msg # 375 of 620 on ZZUK4446, Thursday 10-29-25, 2:32 |
| From: NY.TRANSFER.NEWS@BLYTHE.O |
| To: ALL |
| Subj: Blair and Bush: The Final Betrayal (2/2) |
[continued from previous message] tortured, but concealed the information from European investigators Middle East PM's support for US policy undermined his position with Palestinians and his desire to be an honest broker. Backed Bush in refusing to demand an immediate ceasefire during the Israeli onslaught in Lebanon last year Public Opinion Sacrificed his popularity in the country and provoked hostility within the Labour Party and around the world, to preserve what is seen as a one-sided relationship - summed up in the phrase 'Yo, Blair!' What Bush has done for Blair... A Medal In recognition of Blair's unstinting support for America since 11 September 2001, the PM has been awarded the singular honour of a US Congressional Medal. He has yet to collect it * THE KEY ISSUES CLIMATE CHANGE What Blair wants Tony Blair hopes his final G8 meeting will give a major push forward to efforts to secure a global agreement to tackle climate change. If that happens, he would deserve the credit for putting the issue at the top of the international agenda. But he will need to squeeze firm commitments rather than warm words out of President Bush. What Bush wants President Bush has moved to answer his critics by accepting the need for a long-term global framework. But he has not yet committed the US to joining the "son of Kyoto" process led by the United Nations, to a specific worldwide target for cutting emissions or to a global emissions trading scheme. What Merkel wants Angela Merkel has put climate change at the top of Germany's agenda during its spell chairing the G8. She has formed a common front with Mr Blair in an attempt to push the US and other reluctant nations towards a new post-2012 global agreement. Likely outcome Too close to call. The summit is expected to call for a long-term global framework now that President Bush has gone that far. But the key question is whether it goes further. AFRICA What Blair wants * A reaffirmation of the Gleneagles pledge to double aid to Africa, and new commitments on health and education. * More African peacekeepers to add to the 15,000 trained after Gleneagles. * Progress on fairer trade, with greater African access to Western markets, plus a $4bn "aid for trade" package. What Bush wants * Technical assistance to strengthen Africa's financial markets. * Funds to support rural projects, women in business and micro-finance for the poor. * A $600m increase in spending on education. What Merkel wants * More aid from the G8 to improve African infrastructure but more anti-corruption and good governance action from Africa. * More funds to encourage private investors into Africa. * A breakthrough in the world trade talks this month. Likely outcome UK and US will deliver onaid promises. Rise from Germany, France and Japannot enough to meet commitments. AIDS What Blair wants Tony Blair has said he will press fellow G8 leaders not to backtrack on the commitment they made at their Gleneagles summit two years ago, during which they pledged to ensure universal access to treatment by 2010. He hopes to persuade the summit to approve a series of specific promises and timescales. What Bush wants Bush said he would ask Congress to approve a plan to double US spending on Aids relief to $30bn over the next five years. Campaigners say the commitment falls slightly short of its "fair share" of the Gleneagles goal. What Merkel wants Until recently, Germany has adopted a cautious approach based on replenishing the Global Fund. But under pressure from Tony Blair, Chancellor Angela Merkel appears to be moving to a more ambitious position, possibly one that involves a path towards the "universal access" goal. Likely outcome A draft communiqu€€ says five million Aids sufferers will receive antiretroviral drugs - half what is needed. But this is expected to be beefed up by G8 leaders. GLOBAL DIPLOMACY What Blair wants * Kosovo: pushing for agreement with Russia on Kosovo independence. * Darfur: threatening to table UN resolution providing for further sanctions in next few days. * Zimbabwe: Blair hopes Robert Mugabe's rule will be on G8 agenda. * Iran: hopes to persuade Russia to toughen UN sanctions. What Bush wants * Darfur: has given up on UN and has already ordered more US economic sanctions against Sudan. * Kosovo: will try to overcome Russian resistance to independence. * Iran: will allow UN to take the lead while keepingoptions open. * Missile shield in Europe: will hope to ease Russian concerns. What Merkel wants * Darfur: pushing for further UN sanctions against Sudan government. * Kosovo: wants UN resolution on independence voted on soon. * Iran: will back tough line on compliance with demand for an end to uranium enrichment before negotiations. Likely outcome There will be statements on Darfur, Iran and Kosovo but the final word lies with the UN Security Council. * ================================================================ NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us Search Archives: http://olm.blythe-systems.com/htdig/search.html List Archives: http://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/ Subscribe: http://olm.blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr ================================================================ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (FreeBSD) iD8DBQFGZv/siz2i76ou9wQRAm7mAJ90DTLSJr+RiIwc/o68HxjTBBX5rgCfR+so wLaqk7YcTs5rm6p+MzM28m4= =2kL1 -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2) |
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