Sophist Posted July 18, 2006 Yo Blair! Bush And Blair Unplugged 2:07 PM, 18 Jul 2006 Print this story United States President, George W Bush, has described what Hezbollah is doing in Lebanon as “shit†in an unguarded conversation recorded by a television camera. President Bush’s informal chat with British Prime Minister Tony Blair was picked up at the end of the G8 morning session in St Petersburg by a Russian media microphone and broadcast around the world. The conversation shows Mr Bush and Mr Blair get on so well that the President greets the Prime Minister with the words “Yo, Blair. How are you doin’?†In “Bush and Blair unpluggedâ€, the U.S. President expresses his delight at being given a present, apparently a Burberry sweater, by his British friend. On the unfolding Middle East conflict, Mr Bush suggested a solution. “The thing is that what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it’s over,†he told Mr Blair. The “they†was widely presumed to be Russia. A transcript of their exchange also reveals that Mr Blair volunteered for the task of going to the Middle East and taking the heat ahead of a visit by “Condiâ€, or U.S. Secretary of State. Condoleezza Rice. Asked what Mr Bush said when told his comments were overheard, White House spokesman Tony Snow said: "His reaction first was 'What did I say?', so we showed him the transcript, then he rolled his eyes and laughed." Following is a transcript of the conversation. BUSH Yo, Blair. How are you doin’? BLAIR I’m just . . . BUSH You’re leaving? BLAIR No, no, no, not yet. On this trade thingy . . .(inaudible) BUSH Yeah, I told that to the man. Thanks for the sweater it’s awfully thoughtful of you. BLAIR It’s a pleasure. BUSH I know you picked it out yourself. BLAIR Absolutely (inaudible). BUSH What about Kofi? (inaudible) His attitude to ceasefire and everything else . . . happens. BLAIR Yeah, no I think the (inaudible) is really difficult. We can’t stop this unless you get this international business agreed. BUSH Yeah. BLAIR I don’t know what you guys have talked about, but as I say I am perfectly happy to try and see what the lie of the land is, but you need that done quickly because otherwise it will spiral. BUSH I think Condi is going to go pretty soon. BLAIR But that’s, that’s, that’s all that matters. But if you . . . you see it will take some time to get that together. BUSH Yeah, yeah. BLAIR But at least it gives people . . . BUSH It’s a process, I agree. I told her your offer to . . . BLAIR Well, it’s only if, I mean, you know. If she’s got a, or if she needs the ground prepared, as it were. Because obviously if she goes out, she’s got to succeed, if it were, whereas I can go out and just talk. BUSH You see, the thing is, what they need to do is to get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it’s over. (inaudible) BLAIR Syria. BUSH Why? BLAIR Because I think this is all part of the same thing. BUSH Yeah. BLAIR What does he think? He thinks if Lebanon turns out fine, if we get a solution in Israel and Palestine, Iraq goes in the right way . . . BUSH Yeah, yeah, he is sweet. BLAIR He is honey. And that’s what the whole thing is about. It’s the same with Iraq. BUSH I felt like telling Kofi to call, to get on the phone to Assad and make something happen. BLAIR Yeah. BUSH We are not blaming the Lebanese Government. BLAIR Is this . . .? (he taps the microphone in front of him and the sound is cut.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Resistance Posted July 18, 2006 ^^ Is all a fantastactly staged PR stunt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
