tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post2528512280728387340..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Georgia: Where is the British Government?Iain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-62416011500256938022008-08-14T10:56:00.000+01:002008-08-14T10:56:00.000+01:00auntie flo - the only thing that is creepy around ...auntie flo - the only thing that is creepy around here are your mindless comments. Have you ever had an original thought or an opinion? you stoop to personal attacks because you lack opinions.<BR/><BR/>bullies are boring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-68170307306074424332008-08-14T01:21:00.000+01:002008-08-14T01:21:00.000+01:00Anon said:"Then they have a go at Miliband for tak...Anon said:<BR/><BR/>"Then they have a go at Miliband for taking a holiday."<BR/><BR/><BR/>Millionaire Miliband's always on holiday.<BR/><BR/>How can you call a jaunt to Japan to make a half hour speech to 100 bloggers work?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30055791925694933302008-08-14T01:17:00.000+01:002008-08-14T01:17:00.000+01:00Canvas said:"Cameron needs to get a grip."You're t...Canvas said:<BR/><BR/>"Cameron needs to get a grip."<BR/><BR/>You're the one who needs to get a grip, canvas.<BR/><BR/>Haven't your heard that revenge is a dish best served cold, dear?<BR/><BR/>Hell hath no fury, eh? <BR/><BR/>Your vindictive vendetta against David Cameron is becoming so pathetically obvious and a wee bit creepy.<BR/><BR/>Anyone would think he'd sacked you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-60098410311136810912008-08-13T20:19:00.000+01:002008-08-13T20:19:00.000+01:00Washington Post>>>:"McCain, Georgia ...Washington Post>>>:<BR/><BR/>"McCain, Georgia and Lobbying<BR/><BR/>John McCain's strong anti-Russia comments on the Georgia situation and the fact that his top foreign policy adviser is part owner of a lobbying firm that provides strategic advice to the Georgian government in Washington have produced a surge of anti-McCain comments.<BR/><BR/>A few commenters have whacked "WaPo" for keeping the lobbying information out of the story on McCain's remarks. The lobbying connection was reported in a separate article, which our Internet readers wouldn't necessarily have seen. Both articles were packaged on page A3 or the The Washington Post's print edition. But the way articles get found on the Internet has little to do with newspaper design. Another lesson for how we in the MSM still have much to learn about the difference between internet and broadsheet presentation.<BR/><BR/>There are few defenders of McCain in the comments on these articles; many readers cite his statement on Fox News that "We've seen this movie before in Prague and Budapest" as evidence that his well-documented quick temper makes him a significant gamble for president."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-69198318123419892662008-08-13T19:07:00.000+01:002008-08-13T19:07:00.000+01:00“He opposes the Lisbon treaty which provides for a...<I>“He opposes the Lisbon treaty which provides for a single EU voice on foreign policy.”</I><BR/><BR/>Good, GB is a sovereign nation and should not let itself be absorbed into the EU's maw. However it seems that every gov't since the 70s is determined to give it away.<BR/><BR/>Regarding Georgia vs Russia, neither NATO nor the EU will do anything except bleat. Europe depends upon Russian oil and gas so they'll not risk anything more than a token protest either now or when Russia takes the next step and starts on the Ukraine.Yak40https://www.blogger.com/profile/10391635243252561168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88306510663571806122008-08-13T18:10:00.000+01:002008-08-13T18:10:00.000+01:00I write as one who has worked in the former Soviet...I write as one who has worked in the former Soviet Union for the past 15 years on various development aid projects; most recently I have been working in Georgia.<BR/><BR/>Russia had a window of hope after the ruble crash in 1998 - after the initial high hopes for Putin, he has utterly squandered the prospect of a democratic growth economy for cheap nationalism and kleptocracy. The Georgian government has been foolishly oversanguine, but they were needled into their behaviour by consistent and deliberate Russian provocation over the past two years particularly, supporting the 'separatist' movements in Abkhazia and S. Ossetia. The use of the word 'genocide' by Medvedev to justify Russian invasion of Georgian territory is particularly offensive - yet another debasement of the political language.<BR/><BR/>However stupid Georgia has been in walking into the trap deliberately laid by Russia, the reaction of the Western democracies, who seem to be looking in purpose in an opposite direction, is shameful. And don't anyone take the line that Blair would have done better - he was the one who said in the early days that Putin was the sort of guy one could do business with, grotesquely underrating him from the start.<BR/><BR/>Georgia is a beautiful country with a unique history and culture. Russia is determined to dismember it, to assert its prowess and enable it to show two fingers to the West. It is clear that - while oil prices remain high - no one is going to stop it doing so. If the West had the guts, it would have admitted Georgia to NATO - it failed, and Russia drew the right conclusions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-91424626872002188462008-08-13T16:06:00.000+01:002008-08-13T16:06:00.000+01:00David Cameron = hypocrisy?" David Cameron had cal...David Cameron = hypocrisy?<BR/><BR/>" David Cameron had called for a common European response to Russia but rejected mechanisms to put that into effect. “He opposes the Lisbon treaty which provides for a single EU voice on foreign policy.”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80662186627772535202008-08-13T15:14:00.000+01:002008-08-13T15:14:00.000+01:00David Cameron's belligerent statement about Russia...David Cameron's belligerent statement about Russia could easily complicate things. Good thing he's not yet PM.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-91565252913021584242008-08-13T15:10:00.000+01:002008-08-13T15:10:00.000+01:00canvas again says "Go Obama."Agreed, go back whenc...canvas again says "Go Obama."<BR/><BR/>Agreed, go back whence he came. <BR/><BR/>He called for a UN SC resolution, that's the ticket, something the Russians can veto. <BR/><BR/>NObama 2008 or ever.Yak40https://www.blogger.com/profile/10391635243252561168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6307608658269150302008-08-13T14:28:00.000+01:002008-08-13T14:28:00.000+01:00I'm still waiting for Galloway, rent-a-crowd, ANSW...I'm still waiting for Galloway, rent-a-crowd, ANSWER et al to call out the faithful for another 500,000+ people march on Whitehall demanding peace.<BR/><BR/>Then I remember it's the Red Army that's involved so of course they will instead try and blame everything on the West.<BR/><BR/>Pathetic.Yak40https://www.blogger.com/profile/10391635243252561168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-82239927353273871652008-08-13T13:50:00.000+01:002008-08-13T13:50:00.000+01:00"On Monday, Obama told the Russians "There is no p..."On Monday, Obama told the Russians "There is no possible justification for these attacks." At the same time, however, he said "Georgia should refrain from using force in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and a political settlement must be reached that addresses the status of these disputed regions." That was a clear acknowledgment that Georgia, too, needed to change course."<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Perhaps David Cameron should have made that early morning call to Barack Obama instead of John McCain? Maybe then Cameron wouldn't have sounded like such a Bush neo-con. Not very 21st century, Dave.<BR/><BR/>Cameron needs to get a grip.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Regarding Gordon Brown, he can doesn't need to worry about foreign affairs. David Miliband is dealing with it.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure most people were sitting on the edge of their chair waiting to hear the wise words of Gordon Brown ?? NOT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-11272813083482302602008-08-13T12:50:00.000+01:002008-08-13T12:50:00.000+01:00I'm not very pleased with David Cameron's statemen...I'm not very pleased with David Cameron's statement either. I think Cameron has handled this situation rather badly with his unbalanced and unfair statements.<BR/><BR/>Cameron is quick to make Russia 'the enemy' when the Georgian government were clearly in the wrong. Both sides will suffer greatly because of Georgia's attack on the people of South Ossetia.<BR/><BR/>Firstly, shame on Georgia and then shame on Russia. And then shame on David Cameron for his misguided Bush/McCain style views. Like we need another cold war?<BR/><BR/>Cameron is showing signs of political 'double standards'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-72515948666772224802008-08-13T12:04:00.000+01:002008-08-13T12:04:00.000+01:00I'm not very pleased about Cameron's statement. ...I'm not very pleased about Cameron's statement. I think he was badly advised to jump in so quickly to condemn Russia when its plain that Georgian troops marching into South Osettia with all guns blazing was what started the conflagration. The news on France24, CNN, Russia TV and Al Jazeera gives a much more balanced view of what's happening than the simplistic them and us response from the US and the UK. And the presence of newly issued flags to the populace in Tiblisi points to a Berezovsky involvement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-48003482065224323442008-08-13T11:37:00.000+01:002008-08-13T11:37:00.000+01:00"and Miliband is going to Paris tomorrow to meet t..."and Miliband is going to Paris tomorrow to meet the other EU Ministers."<BR/><BR/>Yes, to ask "permission to speak, sir?"Roger Thornhillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153744692290896812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-67748568868194182662008-08-13T10:43:00.000+01:002008-08-13T10:43:00.000+01:00Brown has signed away our separate Foreign Policy ...Brown has signed away our separate Foreign Policy - so why the suprise when he stays quiet?<BR/><BR/>Miliband goes to the EU meeting to be told what to say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20508495847653661042008-08-13T10:26:00.000+01:002008-08-13T10:26:00.000+01:00What gets me about this constant bleating about th...What gets me about this constant bleating about the Government is the complete lack of any action by Joe Public who clearly have their collective heads shoved up their collective @rses and are only concerned about the rising price of an alco-pop. The only people who seem to give a toss are bloggers ie armchair type-writer warriors. When was the last time any of you took to the streets and demonstrated outside No10? We need to be a bit more in McBroon's face. Some well reported public humiliation might actually do some good rather than weasely words on McDale.com!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57481243898057571462008-08-13T10:24:00.000+01:002008-08-13T10:24:00.000+01:00I think it's because the Georgian flag is too much...I think it's because the Georgian flag is too much like the English flag. We know what New Labour thinks of the English don't we?.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-60937103922091165062008-08-13T09:53:00.000+01:002008-08-13T09:53:00.000+01:00Like I've said a million times, Miliband is a spin...Like I've said a million times, Miliband is a spineless little turd who has been a disastrous foreign secretary.<BR/><BR/>His list of woefully inadequate responses to international crises now includes Burman, Kenya, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Russia etc.Letters From A Toryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14612766550608940053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56205809582610993552008-08-13T09:52:00.000+01:002008-08-13T09:52:00.000+01:00dave said. 11.54am. They said all that when Wilson...dave said. 11.54am. <BR/><BR/>They said all that when Wilson then Callaghan were in charge!!<BR/><BR/>Learn from history that the Tories put pride with a capital P back into this country!strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56931842233475660902008-08-13T09:50:00.000+01:002008-08-13T09:50:00.000+01:00Iain,As already said, quite brilliant!Brown was in...Iain,<BR/><BR/>As already said, quite brilliant!<BR/><BR/>Brown was in his bunker biting his nails, afraid of saying anything!<BR/><BR/>Maggie would have been demanding action.<BR/><BR/>The Russians, in this country, who support Putin such as the Chelsea Owner, should be shown the door! <BR/><BR/>We should re-open our coal mines (me supporting Scargill!!!) and prepare to make coal gas again until we can get the atomic power stations built! We cannot allow ourselves to be held hostage by that dictator in Russia.<BR/><BR/>Expel them from G8. They have got far more to lose from this than we IF we get our act together.<BR/><BR/>But, with Brown in charge we have no chance.strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-18908876978320062362008-08-13T09:45:00.001+01:002008-08-13T09:45:00.001+01:00As londoner says, lovely to hear the boy wonder Ca...As londoner says, lovely to hear the boy wonder Call Me Dave 2 on the Today programme this morning. Statesman, sober, serious, that was the message. And did I hear him call Gordon's leadership "vigorous", or was that just a dreadful dream?Jonny Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18440274325662944612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-17384487293252387932008-08-13T09:45:00.000+01:002008-08-13T09:45:00.000+01:00Dear IainThis is another Area of the World that I ...Dear Iain<BR/><BR/>This is another Area of the World that I struggle to understand<BR/><BR/>BUT<BR/><BR/>I thought I heard a suggestion from somewhere that it was the GEORGIANS who initiated this Crisis by sending in their tanks, artillery and machine gunners against the THE CIVILIAN POPULATION of South Ossetia<BR/><BR/>How does this affect your Views of Russia's reaction ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13272011619667606162008-08-13T09:29:00.000+01:002008-08-13T09:29:00.000+01:00Foreign secretary is a non job under New Labour. T...Foreign secretary is a non job under New Labour. They believe that the EU is now in charge of our foreign affairs. At least we now know that Milibland is NOT Prime Minister material.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-44699132364237458642008-08-13T09:16:00.000+01:002008-08-13T09:16:00.000+01:00I'm with newmania, super to see the chunky Dale po...I'm with newmania, super to see the chunky Dale posts are back!JHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04251338986408357122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88633762687886848642008-08-13T09:07:00.000+01:002008-08-13T09:07:00.000+01:00To comment on Martin Bright's first paragraph, I'm...To comment on Martin Bright's first paragraph, I'm not certain that Sarkozy is bilingual either. I had read he could only speak French, in contrast to Jacques Chirac who had fluent English and Tony Blair who also had fluent French.<BR/><BR/>Monolingualism is no reason to ignore "abroad". The Left can talk such rubbish sometimes when they feel a need to fit someone to a stereotype.AndNowInStereohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14021894582408478305noreply@blogger.com