US may shift line on Britons in Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

US may shift line on Britons in Cuba

Nicholas Watt in Washington
Friday July 18, 2003
The Guardian

Tony Blair and George Bush will publish a joint statement today about the two Britons facing a military trial in Cuba, causing speculation that Washington has agreed to a series of demands made by Downing Street.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the White House last night, Mr Bush confirmed that the statement would be published today after lengthy discussions about the matter over dinner last night.

Downing Street officials refused to speculate about the contents of the statement. But there were signs last night that Mr Bush has gone some way to meeting Mr Blair's concern about the two Britons, who could be sentenced to death.

The prime minister called on the US to observe the "proper canons of law" in the case of Moazzam Begg and Feroz Abbasi who are facing a secretive military trial at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

But Mr Bush said he had little time for supporters of the two Britons, when he described them as "bad" men. He added: "These were illegal combatants. They were picked up off the battlefield aiding and abetting the Taliban." (snip/...)

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,11538,1000669,00.html

[displacedtexan]

1. if shrub capitulates...

expect a "big time" diversion!

[JoFerret]

3. I don't see how he can't

Surely (yip yip) Blair gets some bone to take home.The Bristish are steaming mad about the detention and "trial" and possible execution of its citizens by a country led by a person many despise.

[TahitiNut]

2. Quid Pro Quo?

Will Smirky give Poodle a P/R boost in return for the WMD figleaf? How fair can any military tribunal be when the CinC condemns the captives preemptively? ("Preemption" seems to be the Fuhrer's habit. Fire, aim, ready? Clearing leather is his last thought.)

[JoFerret]

4. "bad people"

bad naughty evil-doing people don't deserve no darn trial. We know they are guilty.