… and other idiotic sayings.
‘Yesterday was an important day for the Iraqi people. The United Nations Security Council unanimously expressed the desire for Iraq to be free and peaceful’.
George Bush in a press conference at the G8 summit (June 2004)
‘The Iraqi people know the sacrifices you are making. They’re grateful to you. They are grateful to your families.’
George Bush to the soldiers and families of Fort Hood (Apr 2005)
‘The crucial thing now is the people of Iraq know they’ve got the whole of the international community on side, for Iraq is a stable and democratic country.
Tony Bliar, at a press conference at the G8 Summit (June 2004)
‘You can look back at this time and you can be very, very proud of what you have done’,
Tony Bliar, flying into Basra to tell the troops they can be proud. (Dec. 2005)
‘It’s not that they’re welcoming us because they’re welcoming foreign troops, They’re welcoming the fact of their liberation.’
Tony Bliar in April 2003
‘We want to give you the chance to rebuild your country; to rebuild your lives; to give your families a chance of a better future. It is in the spirit of friendship and goodwill that we now offer our help.’
Tony Bliar, April 2003 (Message to the Iraqi people)
And what do the Iraqis say?
Q1a. Do you feel that once the British troops have handed over the security files to the local security forces in Basrah, the security situation in the immediate weeks following troop withdrawal will improve, deteriorate or perhaps you think it will stay the same?
- Improve: 66%
- Deteriorate: 5%
- Stay the same: 12%
Q1b. And how about in the long term?
- Improve: 72%
- Deteriorate: 5%
- Stay the same: 6%
Q2. What effect has the presence of British troops had on the level of militia violence in Basrah?
- Has reduced the overall level of militia violence: 3%
- Has made no difference: 14%
- Their presence has increased the overall level of militia violence: 56%
Q3. Which of the following would you like to see happen to the British troops?
- To have a presence on the streets of Basrah: 1%
- To remain in the province but based in a camp on the outskirts where they could be called upon in a time of crisis: 9%
- To leave Iraq but to be present in a nearby country where they could be called upon in a time of crisis: 19%
- To leave the middle east altogether and return to Britain: 63%
From the results of a poll by ORB: Iraqi Attitudes Towards British Troops (Dec. 2007)
* * *
"There is no justification for Iran or any other country interfering in Iraq.’
Tony Bliar, Oct 2005
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