Originally Posted by
davidbfpo
I am sure the background to President Obama, including the allegation his grandfather was tortured in Kenya will feature in a briefing paper for the UK government. Whether the President will be influenced by this history is a moot point.
Did this family history affect his decision-making on Gitmo Bay? I am not aware of his general attitude to human rights.
The much vaunted "special relationship" is highly prized here, notably by the Whitehall-Westminster establishment (akin to "within the Beltway") and of course the intelligence / military links.
IMHO UK public opinion is less convinced, even hostile to this relationship. Relatively minor issues, for example entry requirements to the USA led to much adverse comment in the conservative-leaning Daily Telegraph. In 2001 two million marched in London against any war with Iraq and this week an opinion poll stated 73% opposed the UK role in Afghanistan.
I shall watch to see President Obama affirms the "special relationship" and if his presidency affects how UK public opinion views the USA.
Incidentally one Whitehall observer, albeit in 2001, described the UK as "America's Ghurkha" and that within "The Beltway" few saw the relationship as that special.
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