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Egypt: Mubarak ‘a force for good’, says Blair
What are Egyptians complaining about? Tony Blair praises ‘courageous Mubarak’
It seems President Hosni Mubarak isn't the only leader who has grown out of touch with ordinary people following an extended period in power. Tony Blair has praised the Egyptian dictator as a "force for good".
Appearing on Piers Morgan Tonight on CNN, the former British PM said: "Where you stand on [Mubarak] depends on whether you've worked with him from the outside or on the inside.
"I've worked with him on the Middle East peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians so this is somebody I'm constantly working with and on that issue, I have to say, he's been immensely courageous and a force for good."
Blair's intercession on Mubarak's behalf is likely to go down like a lead balloon with the millions of ordinary Egyptians who turned out yesterday to call for their president of 30 years to step down.
And Mubarak has certainly been "a force for good" from the Blair family's perspective: the Egyptian president is known to have given the former British prime minister the use of a government villa in the Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh, which he has used for holidays in the past.
In his defence, the former British prime minister says he has "many Egyptian friends" (presumably he means apart from Mubarak). He also suggests that if Egypt moves too quickly towards democracy it may allow the Islamist opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood, into power.
However, secular opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei has dismissed the likelihood of the Muslim Brotherhood leading an Iranian-style fundamentalist revolution, saying they are a minority in Egypt and are prepared to work with him.
But Egyptians wouldn't be the first people to find Blair somewhat patronising in his attitude towards them.
Palestinians have also been at the receiving end of his legendary skills of diplomacy, as revealed in the Palestine Papers - the documents concerning the Middle East peace process leaked to Al Jazeera this month.
Memos from the papers reveal what senior Palestinians think of the Middle East envoy who is supposed to "ensure Israel abides by existing agreements".
"The overall tone," reads one memo, "without making any judgment as to intent, is paternalistic and frequently uses the style and jargon of the Israeli occupation authorities. Some of the terms (eg 'separate lanes' and 'tourist-friendly checkpoints') are unacceptable to Palestinians." ·
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I suppose when Egypt slips in to sectarian violence on a daily basis he will consider himself vindicated?
Tony like Mubarak did not notice a million people protesting on the streets of London against the Iraqi War, the blood of the dicatator runs freely through his veins. Look at all the oppresisve legislation that was pushed through by him granting the police and secret service agencies excessive powers of suriveilance, arrest and detention.
Didn't Blair blow up Afghanistan and Iraq for the sakes of 'democracy"?. It seems some dictators are more equal than others in Blair's mind. I don't think the job of Middle East Envoy is suitable for him.
Tony could do something to help promote shoe sales in Cairo, by going there to make this speech in person.
If Mr. Blair represented a "foreign" country he would stand a very good chance of being prosecuted for war crimes. He and his ilk are a threat to everyone's peaceful existence on this planet.
So, it was Mubarak that bought Blairs book then....
Will noone rid us of this turbulent pest?
St Tony of Be Liar has already admitted that he seeks God's approval for what he does. It's a well known fact that talking to God is called praying, and widely accepted; but, our St Tone is living proof that when God speaks to you it's called schizophrenia.
I personally wonder what self-respecting Egyptian would dirty the sole of their shoe insulting Bliar; I know I wouldn't.
Interesting...Blair was so far out of touch with his own country's sentiments by the end that Brown seemed initially like a better option. Is there something that so distorts so-called "leaders"view of real life? (money? fame? Power? I don't know) that makes them see black as white and vice versa...Can't help but wonder what influences Blair has over him that convinces him that Mubarak is good, when what appears to be the majority of Egyptians (who are in a far better place to judge) think he's bad enough to risk revolution. Whatever, the warmonger Blair is not someone I trust....Perhaps he should go to Egypt and bring NuLabor democracy to the Desert!
Blair wasn't called "His Toniness" for nothing!
Yep...you said it all in the first paragraph.