[angelize56]

Even though it's costing your country $6.7 mil for security...don't hold that against George! Welcome him with open arms next week and let him know how much you care he's there! I expect dancing in the streets and Paq leading the parade with Penny, RSM and Albert close behind! It could be your last chance to see him live ya know! I'll be watching the telly to see how he is received honestly. I hope neither he, his entourage or any protesters are hurt! Take care. angel

Battle over Bush's UK security
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Posted: 7:30 AM EST (1230 GMT)

LONDON, England -- A three-way battle is shaping up among protesters, British police and U.S. agents for control of London's streets during President George W. Bush's visit to London next week.

Anti-war protesters are vowing to resist moves to create an "exclusion zone" or "bubble" around Bush as part of security measures for his three-day state visit November 19-21.

Meanwhile, the White House and London's Metropolitan Police appear to be locked in a disagreement over the scope and control of a security operation estimated to cost £4 million ($6.7 million).

The deputy chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Richard Barnes, said Wednesday a clear line of command must be established to ensure that Scotland Yard and not the Americans are ultimately responsible for security.

"There must be a clear command structure so that ultimately it is the home secretary (interior minister) and the (police) commissioner that are in charge of the security and that there is no blurring of the edges," Barnes told the BBC.

The Stop The War Coalition, which is organizing a series of demonstrations during Bush's visit, said it would demand the right to march through the center of the capital as part of a huge protest that could attract more than 100,000 people.

The group says it has been told privately by senior police officers that a decision to ban the marchers from some parts of London followed pressure from the White House not to have people protesting near Bush.

"It is an outrage that the most unwelcome guest this country has ever received will be given the freedom of the streets, while a movement that represents majority opinion is denied the right to protest in the area which is the heart of government," said Lindsey German of the Stop the War Coalition.

The Times newspaper reported Wednesday that U.S. and UK authorities also are in disagreement over how many armed Secret Service agents can travel with Bush and whether they will be immune from prosecution if they fire their weapons.

The Times quoted unnamed senior British police officials as saying U.S. officials fear al Qaeda terrorists will use any chaos caused by street protests as cover to launch a suicide attack against Bush.

"We are not so concerned about some anti-war protester throwing rotten fruit at the president. Our worry now is the more dangerous elements who may be here," The Times quoted a senior Scotland Yard source as saying.

The key protest is set for November 20 after Bush places a wreath at the tomb of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey and holds talks with his close ally in the Iraq war and the war on terrorism, Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Bush and Blair were the target of pre-war protests in London.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone said Bush should not be shielded from protesters in London and expressed hope there would not be a repeat of the "shameful" scenes that arose during the 1999 visit of President Jiang Zemin of China.

When Jiang rode up The Mall -- linking Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace -- police stopped demonstrators from holding up protest banners and Tibetan flags.

"The Met police were requested by Foreign Office officials that the police should make sure he did not see the demonstrators," Livingstone said.

"Those police were actually breaking the law as they took those banners away. We are not having any of that."

Any attempt to try to help Bush avoid protesters would be "inconceivable," Livingstone said, adding: "To create a situation in which perhaps 60,000 people remain unseen would require a shutdown of central London which is just not acceptable."

Blair entered the row Tuesday night, using a speech in London to defend the U.S. president over the Iraq war and urging protesters to draw a line under the conflict and move on.

"For many the script of (Bush's) visit has already been written. There will be demonstrations. His friends wonder at the timing, his enemies rub their hands at what they see as the potential embarrassment," Blair said.

"I believe this is exactly the right time for the president of the United States to come.

"Protest if you will, that is your democratic right. ... though have the integrity to realize that without (the war), those Iraqis now tasting freedom would still be under the lash of Saddam."

A fresh opinion poll showed that many Britons believe the United States' international standing has suffered under Bush and dislike his handling of Iraq.

The poll, published Tuesday in The Times, also indicated that Blair could be damaged by his "special relationship" with Bush.

A majority of respondents, 59 percent, said America's standing in the world has diminished under Bush's presidency, while 60 percent disapproved of his handling of Iraq.

Less than half, 40 percent, thought Britain benefited from Blair's close ties to the U.S. president.

[AlbertB]

Quick check - in Civ Deb - ok - adjust lunchpack to comfortable side - and enter stage left.

"We are not so concerned about some anti-war protester throwing rotten fruit at the president.

Oooooookaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!

Peaches guys. Better than tomatoes. More squishy when overripe. Are more acidic so stain well. Have a whacking big sharp edged stone in them. COME IN TINS WITH SHARP EDGES!

"Protest if you will, that is your democratic right. ... though have the integrity to realize that without (the war), those Iraqis now tasting freedom would still be under the lash of Saddam."

Now in the middle ages the king used to have a man who was his most treasured confidante. This man spoke in humourous rhyme and riddle, so that most thought of him as merely an empty headed fool and laughed at his merrie antics. This man was of course "The Jester".

Now the Jester was actually no fool and was among the most astute and skilled at politics and court intrigue. He had to be to survive being so close to the King for long. So high was his standing that he was the only man in the kingdom with the right to address the King by his first name in public. Likewise "Jolly Tony", confidante to King Dubbya, is an astute and wise m........

Hold on, what the Hell am I saying, who am I kidding?

He's just a silly man who is there to trip over his own Prescott shaped Pig's Bladder and make us laugh. But in the way of the "million EMPs with a million secretaries with a million Word Processor's" theory of writing, he is destined to speak some truth by accident occasionally. At the risk of opening old wounds, (and I will be very diplomatic and withdraw if it should), for me that theory is proven here.



As to telling our security forces how to run the security of our own capital city in our own country? I don't need to say anything do I?

[oldie]

Nah ain't goin to bovver flying ovver!!!

Had it been Condoleezza - different matter - would have nipped over for a couple of days

Oldie

[Wino]

Mr. AlbertB,

I think you have just earned a front row seat and backstage pass to the next Dixie Chicks concert in London!!

Personally, not sure if I want Bush to remain in country to tend to our domestic economy problems or to travel abroad to further damage our credibility in the world, as unsure where he can do the least damage. He certainly isn't spending much time in DC, what with traveling around the US building his campaign war chest (which is approx. $100M + the deficit richer than the US at the moment). For a man that had traveled little before coming prez (probably thought the earth was flat up until about 26 months ago), he's sure making up for it now - guess the growing one term possibility is finally sinking in.

[AlbertB]

Personally, not sure if I want Bush to remain in country to tend to our domestic economy problems

Ooooooooooh!!! So you push him off onto us eh! Typical US trick.

Well we refuse to take him over here just like your damned old ships, on the grounds that he is a contaminated toxic waste of space, so despite the fact that he is in mid-Atlantic as we speak you had better get him to turn back. We aren't going to be responsible for scrapping him and breaking him up! We've got enough surplus outdated contaminated politicians of our own to deal with. When we get round to Prescott I don't think we have got a dry dock large enough to cope with the job! He'll have to go to Alang in India. They take any old unwanted politicians and break them there.

[Paquadez]

Hopefully, Bush and Blair will bore each other to death with their constant reiteration of the same nonsensical garbage!

Still at least it will take Queenie's mind off her current problems!

Paq

[AlbertB]

And what problems are these Paq, bearing in mind this might be an American hosted site but we are both posting from inside the UK and may be subject to court proceedings already in force if we are not careful?

[oldie]

Charlies been on the drug "mycoxafailin" still (unfortunately) undergoing trials in South Yemen

[Paquadez]

Originally posted by AlbertB:
And what problems are these Paq, bearing in mind this might be an American hosted site but we are both posting from inside the UK and may be subject to court proceedings already in force if we are not careful?

Al, like the BBC, Guardian, Sunday Mirror etc, my lips are sealed (and not with a loving kiss from........................... ).

Paq

[angelize56]

Paq: Does this mean you won't be leading the parade???

Well there's always Penny!

Will Bush be having tea and crumpets with the Queen?

[Paquadez]

Oh, oh!

"Crumpet" in British English, has a particular meaning, Angel.

It is actually hilariouslly funny wot you said, mentioned in this context!

Paq

[angelize56]

You mean in your mind huh Paq! I better look that up...I thought it was just something you ate over there...like a bisquit or a scone! Should I be blushing???

[Paquadez]

Put it this way, Hon, "Crumpet" when used by a guy about a gal, means either that she is desirable, attainable or willing.

It also is another term for an intimate part of a lady's anatomy, which we will not mention in the polite and refined circles of TSG!

Paq

PS: Now you see why it was so very funny!

PPS: No, I shall not be leading the parade. I am working far too hard on a project to send Ge W with his buddy Blair, back to the USA in those toxic warships! I kinda reckon the sea trip will do 'em good!

[angelize56]

Paq: I looked it up and got this:

crumpet n. Coming from rhyming slang for strumpet (a woman adulterer), crumpet refers to women in a similar (although a little more old-fashioned) way to totty. Suffice to say that if you were out looking for some crumpet of an evening, you wouldn't be intending sleeping alone. In fact, you may not be intending to sleep at all. We Brits do concur with Americans on the "official" meaning of crumpet (a small savoury piece usually eaten with afternoon tea) but it would be difficult to mention it in the UK without someone at the table collapsing in fits of giggles.

NOW I understand!!! *blush* I surely can't picture Bush having crumpets with the Queen now!

[Wino]

........I surely can't picture Bush having crumpets with the Queen now!

I can!!!