Blair Admits Friction in Bush Relationship, page 1

It seems some of the main points of friction are the Guantanamo Bay detainees and US inaction in pursuing the middle east peace process.

story.news.yahoo.com
Blair acknowledged two key differences with Bush: Washington's refusal to sign the Kyoto protocol on climate change; and the detention of four Britons at Guantanamo Bay.

"Guantanamo Bay is an anomaly that at some point has got to be brought to an end," Blair said.

...

"Surely we, the country, have a right to know, where we have gone to war, where you have put yourself shoulder to shoulder with the Americans ... what we are getting in return?" asked Conservative lawmaker Edward Leigh.

It's widely assumed in Britain that Blair backed Bush over Iraq in return for a pledge that Washington would push harder for peace in the Middle East. A road map peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians put forward by Bush last year has largely stalled.

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One wonders why the U.S. hasn't been doing more to keep its closest ally pleased. The detention of the Guantanamo prisoners is seen as a major display of hypocrisy by the U.S. around the world. Bush should be worried about more than one election coming up in the near future. It's unlikely Britain would pull out of Iraq immediately following a Conservative Party win, but America cant count on any replacement for Blair being as dependably steadfast.

-koji K.

[edit on 7-7-2004 by koji_K]

[edit on 7-7-2004 by koji_K]