Democracy Unaffordable

Photo Montage : Peter Kennard

This BAE business stinks. Cuts right to the heart of a government's genuine desire to “export democracy”. And now the US are really gonna fuck things up.

It’s inconceivable that a UK or US minister of defence would get a kickback to the tune of £100m a year for awarding a military contract. Granted, times have changed, but even in the petro-dollar 70’s morality such behaviour would be seen as a gross breach of public trust and basic democratic principles. The government is supposed to act in the name of and interests of the people – difficult to believe when your minister of defence has just splashed out on a Gulfstream jet (actually a 747 – Ed).

Was there ever a time government policy of “exporting” democracy was thrown into sharper relief ? So long as you’re a pal, so long as we get paid, we don’t mind you screwing your people, in fact we’re happy to help.

Naive ? This Al Yamaneh bizniz is gonna come back to bite us in the arse - in the shape of the US investigation. You gotta wonder if Gordon will stick to the terms of our extradition treaty when they come knocking on BAE directors’ doors (probably the best hope for the Nat West 3).

The Misrepresentation of the People's Act ? - might as well give up.

With this deal, the Saudi’s priced democracy out of business. The thousands of jobs, the treasury contribution – who was gonna say no ? We couldn't afford it. And Bandar’s bung was almost certainly priced into the margin anyway.

The SFO and Goldsmith decided it wasn’t in the UK's interest to continue the investigation. For once, maybe the US and it's investigation is actually acting on behalf of the Saudi people ?

No doubt they’ll get their come-uppence soon enough. Maybe in Diego Garcia.

the Bush Pilot project video

Turns out to be even more off-subject than our previous glory-find of secret footage from the Lord Chancellor when he was flat-mates with Tony Blair.

Our teutonic twat of a leak turns out to be amusing none the less. And when it comes to foreign policy, this video explains a great deal.

Who said the Germans don't have a sense of humour ?

Bush Blair minutes

Well, we were allowed sight of the leaked minutes from the White House meeting, but weren’t allowed to keep hard copies. Sure enough, it seems the "Bush pilot project" was the main focus. Yesterday saw the sentencing of the guys who originally leaked the memo - six months imprisonment a piece. Video proof should be with us on Monday.

From memory, the conversation went something like this ;

TB : I’m only repeating what I’ve been told, from what I can tell there’s no hard evidence to back any of this up

GWB : Well, there wouldn’t be – we don’t have that kinda technology so you can be sure as hell nobody else does, least of all the Germans.

TB : George I’m just telling you…

GWB : And if we had it, we wouldn’t use it.

TB : Why not ? It’d be perfect for Ghadaffi, Mugabe, Kim Jong-il …

GWB : Because it’s pure fantasy, it doesn’t exist – I’d know wouldn’t I ?

TB : Would you ?

GWB : (to aid) Get Don (Rumsfeld – Ed) in here, with everything he’s got on this Bush Pilot project.

Aid : Sir, we don’t have anything…

GWB : If there isn’t anything, why’s everyone but me heard about it ? I wanna hear it direct from Don whilst Tony’s here.

Bush/Blair memo exclusive

There are Gov. leaks that are OK and those that aren't.

Yesterday David Keogh, 50, a civil servant for 25 years who worked as a communications and cipher officer at the Cabinet Office, and Leo O’Connor, 44, employed as a political researcher for a Labour MP, were found guilty of breaching the Official Secrets Act after leaking a government document said to be a recorded minute of a two-hour confidential discussion at the White House between Mr Blair and President Bush.

The damaging contents have been the subject of much speculation, ranging from the bombing of the al Jazeera TV network to the Halliburton/Pentagon inspired Bush pilot project.

We've been contacted by a German source who insists on remaining anonymous, telling us she has a full transcript of the conversation and video proof. We're assured the real juice relates to the Bush pilot project, and that the low down on it will make Bush's suggestion of bombing al Jazeera look like chump change.

If all goes according to plan, we'll be in receipt of the transcript and video tomorrow - assuming we're not in jail.

Bush or bust

Not long ago... our ambassador to the US presented Dubya with a bust of Winston Churchill.

Both Bush and Blair are self-confessed, fully paid up members of the Winston fan club.

So with a backward glance at the invasion of Iraq and a nod to the on-coming express train of Iran, perhaps now is a time for them to reflect on one of the great mans many proclamations ;

"Let us learn our lessons. Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on that strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realise that, once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events. Antiquated war officers, weak, incompetant or arrogant commanders, untrustworthy allies, hostile neutrals, malignant fortune, ugly surprises, awful miscalculations - all take their seat at the Council Board on the morrow of a declaration of war."

Winston Churchill