NOT photoshopped
Posted on 08/12/2006 3:09:31 PM PDT by Jack2006
Foreign Office minister Kim Howells has criticised Muslim leaders for condemning British foreign policy. An open letter, signed by three Muslim MPs, three peers and 38 community groups, said the stance on the Middle East has put civilians at risk.
They went on to say that UK policy has given "ammunition to extremists".
But Mr Howells denied there was a "rational connection" and said "no government" formulates policy based on a perceived risk from terrorists. Downing Street, meanwhile, said Tony Blair "stands ready" to meet Muslim representatives when he returns to the UK.
Mr Howells told BBC News 24 the letter's comments were "facile". He said: "I have no doubt that there are many issues which incite people to loath government policies but not to strap explosives to themselves and go out and murder innocent people.
"There is no way of rationalising that.
"I think it is very, very dangerous when people who call themselves community leaders make some assumption that somehow that there's a rational connection between these two things." The letter urges the prime minister to redouble his efforts to tackle terror and extremism, and change foreign policy to show the UK values the lives of civilians.
MP Sadiq Khan, who signed the letter, said British foreign policy was seen by many as unfair and unjust. "Whether we like it or not such a sense of injustice plays into the hands of extremists," he said. "As moderates we will do all we can to fight extremism. We hope the government will join us in this, not just by changing the rules on hand luggage, but by showing itself as an advocate for justice in the world."
The letter was also signed by MPs Shahid Malik (Dewsbury) and Mohammed Sarwar (Glasgow Central), and peers Lord Patel of Blackburn, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham and Baroness Uddin. Other signatories include the Muslim Council of Britain, the Muslim Association of Britain, British Muslim Forum and the lobby group, the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain.
A Downing Street spokesman responded to the letter by saying: "We should always remember that the terrorism affecting the West today has blighted Muslim countries for several decades.
"It certainly pre-dated our decision to support democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq and of course the September 11 attacks. Our foreign policy is focused on supporting the people of those countries in their desire to live in a democracy just as we enjoy in the UK."
He also stressed that "nobody could have worked harder" than Tony Blair to achieve a cessation of hostilities in the Middle East. Liberal Democrats deputy leader Vince Cable agreed there were links with foreign policy but voiced concerns the letter's message might "give some comfort to the kind of people who say: 'Well, change your foreign policy or we'll blow you up'".
Maybe the Brits will finally wake up and turn "Londonstan" back into good old London.
How dare they prevent terror attacks! These three MPs condemn such action! Terrorism must be allowed to flourish free of government intervention!
British Muslim groups have made a serious strategic error here.
Not only servere, but blindingly obvious. Nay, n00bish. If Muslims want to integrate, they sould celebrate the capture of terrorists. Y'know, to show that they don't identify with them. This letter doesn't help what "moderate Muslims" there are with their PR problems.
"Liberal Democrats deputy leader Vince Cable agreed there were links with foreign policy but voiced concerns the letter's message might "give some comfort to the kind of people who say: 'Well, change your foreign policy or we'll blow you up'"."
Exactly! He gets it. This looks like a vocal threat to me. What party were the muslim mp's from?
The Labour Party.
Britain does understand.
Getting rid of their muslim loving mayor would be a good start.
Getting rid of their muslim loving mayor would be a good start.
You forgot to mention their Muslim loving Prince of Wales.
Bump
If you want to see what the majority of people living in the UK think then visit the BBC website and read the comments there. I think that British Muslims have probably gone too far this time and thank God for that. I've lived here for nearly 14 years and have watched as this country has become more and more worried about offending our "moderate" Muslims, a term that just doesn't seem to fit given the facts!!
I'm impressed! I'm glad the minister came out and said this; aside from the fact that there is no connection whatsoever between any ME policy and Islamic terrorism (which was on-going long before the Iraq war), I thought it was good for him to stand up and put the ball back in their court. They are used to offering these idiotic "justifications" and receiving no contradictions, and it's about time somebody called them on it.
Now that they've signed their names, find them and clap the lot of them in irons.
For the duration.
L
It's an easy assumption to make when these muzzies dedicate their lives to making it happen.
You could save a lot of metal by using bullets instead.
NOT photoshopped
Is that Prince Tampon?
These savages don't realize policy is made through the ballot box, not the suicide belt, in free countries.
ping
Just when I though a Christian preacher had some kahunas, it turns out to be a politician. For cripes sake, when will the world turn right.
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