In Tehran, they were shouting "Death to America" to mark the 29th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. In London, there was the usual throng of guests at the Iranian embassy reception. Among those knocking back the apple and orange juice was Lord Lamont, Margaret Thatcher's chancellor of the exchequer. They may be under UN sanctions, but those folks in the "axis of evil" certainly know how to attract guests to a party. In the days when Iraq was still a signed up member of that particular club as defined by President Bush, even the UN weapons inspectors used to turn up with the crowds of diplomats in New York to the Iraqi national day celebrations every 17 July. And the Iraqis are not so fussy about observing alcohol restrictions. I'm still waiting for an invitation to the North Korean national day, mind.
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It underlines what a horrible game it all is at this level - I remember seeing Paddy Ashdown and Ken Clarke at a debate being really rather personal in their attacks on each other. At the end, they shook hands, slapped each other on the back and headed to the bar for a drink. In some ways marvellous to see, but it showed that they're just actors.
Posted by: Hob | Tuesday, 12 February 2008 at 07:56 PM
Indeed, what a dangerous place London is. Anne Penketh, who is well-known as an expert on Georgian matters and a fan of Georgia's USA-loving President Saakashvili, might give pause for thought on this topic?
Badri Patarkatsishvili, the Leader of the Georgian Opposition party has been found dead at his London home in what Police describe as "suspicious circumstances".
Patartaksishvili was the co-owner of IMEDI TV, the only station in Georgia to be independent of Mr Saakashvili's Presidential control. IMEDI was shut-down at gun-point whilst on air by Saakashvili's goons, an event which passed the rest of the world by... but here it is on YouTube, with a voiced-over commentary. The Newscasters have already been taken away, and it's left to a lone Studio-Manager, now sitting at the mike, to broadcast Imedi's distress-call to a world convinced that Saakashvili is the darling of democracy:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tHxQZmMRysU
Who has murdered Patartaksishvili isn't yet clear. However, the finger of blame must surely point at one man.
Who exactly is "partying with the Axis Of Evil"??
Posted by: Neil McGowan | Wednesday, 13 February 2008 at 02:08 PM
I thought you might have a field day on this one Neil. It's true I don't actually share your view about Gamsakhurdia, who disappointed many hopes when he became president. I actually knew him when he was still a dissident, and had tea in Tbilisi (yes, you'll be disappointed to learn I have been there, it used to be my favourite place before the civil war) with a fellow dissident, the poet Merab Kostava, only shortly before he died in a mysterious car accident. Nothing suspicious there, obviously. Must dash, got to track down that Polish diplomat who will tell me what to think about Patarkatsishvili.
Posted by: anne penketh | Wednesday, 13 February 2008 at 02:54 PM
I'm glad to hear you've been to Tbilisi - even if it was so very many, many years ago. It's disappointing to hear your plaudits for Saakashvili - a man who makes a habit of shutting-down tv-stations at gunpoint, and leading your fellow journalists away at the barrel of a gun.
You'll agree it's a strange coincidence that not long after you were point-scoring over the Litvinenko killing, Mr Patarkatsishvili - the deadly enemy of Mr Saakashvili - is killed in London by persons unknown? But Patarkatsishvili's killing has already been shuffled off to p94 - after all, Mr Saakashvili is a pal of the USA, Britain's ally etc.
A Russian former KGB-interrogator is killed in London -and we writhe and moan. The Leader of the Georgian Opposition and owner of a TV Channel is killed in London - and we wonder whether to have capuccino or latte? Because that nice handsome Mr Saakashvili wouldn't kill anyone, would he? He has such a charming smile!
Posted by: Neil McGowan | Wednesday, 13 February 2008 at 06:37 PM