President Elect Obama and Britain

[Granite_State]

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.

America's Gurkha, that's not bad. I understand where British public opinion is coming from, we seem to do better out of the deal than you do.

[davidbfpo]

From the BBC website a commenary on the meeting between UK and US foriegn ministers, a lot of "spin" I fear: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7866859.stm

Note the contrast in later UK comments on a judicial decision under threat from US withdrawing from part of the 'special relationship': http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7870049.stm and the right wing Daily Telegraph's comment: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/majo...-evidence.html

[jmm99]

so much for a heads up on Lord Justice Thomas' 4 Feb decision in the UK Binyam Mohamed case. I have linked the 4 decisions in that case here (post #180).

[davidbfpo]

The disclosure of information to the UK High Court has taken a different direction, if one accepts this report: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/majo...rture-row.html

Sensitive intelligence exchanges may in fact be evidence of torture which is damaging to political interests. Then the suggestion of a prosecution in the UK of those UK intelligence officers who had a part. Murky.

Followed by a leader article on the special relationship, which is more broad ranging and in places pithy: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/c...o-America.html

davidbfpo

[davidbfpo]

In a headline 'CIA warns Barack Obama that British terrorists are the biggest threat to the US', IMHO a worrying sign that our special relationship is either the victim of much "spin" or much is changing on the ground. This is the article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...to-the-US.html

Much of the story relies on ex-CIA officer Bruce Riedel and the timng after the spat over disclosing US documents in a UK court case makes me suspect "spin" is at work. Who is now an adviser to President Obama, in particular reviewing policy in Afghanistan / Pakistan.

Update: This website has a pithy commentary on the stories and points out such activity, even by an ally, the CIA, would be illegal: http://www.spyblog.org.uk/

davidbfpo

[davidbfpo]

A rare mention of the terrorist suspects held in the UK, who are wanted by the USA; one has been in custody fighting extradition for ten years: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...n-Britain.html

Note these cases pre-date the very favourable, one-way extradition agreement UK to the USA.

davidbfpo

[davidbfpo]

Within a five minute interview on The (UK) Daily Telegraph on wider issues, Morris Reid, an adviser to Bill Clinton and now - maybe - to President Obama, finally makes a comment 'The special relationship is over and dead'. Never heard of him, but Google suggests he has access inside D.C.

Try: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...n-adviser.html

davidbfpo