Posted on 03/12/2009 8:45:24 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Washington has strongly criticised Britain's decision to talk to the political wing of Hezbollah, and complained that Barack Obama's new administration was not properly informed of the move in advance.
The objection underlined the awkward start to the "special relationship" between the US and Britain after Gordon Brown's visit to Mr Obama last week.
The trip was beset by fears that the old alliance would wane under the new leadership in the White House and a flap over insufficiently thoughtful presents given by Mr Obama to the Prime Minister.
But the first serious policy disagreement has emerged over Hezbollah, the Lebanese movement which Washington brands as a terrorist organisation, following the Foreign Office's announcement last week that it would talk to the political branch of the militant group.
A senior US government official said that he would like to ask the British to "explain the difference between the political, military and social wings of Hezbollah", adding, "we don't see a difference between the integrated leadership that they see".
He noted that Hezbollah's strongholds in south Beirut had recently marked the first anniversary of the death of Imad Mughniyeh with mass celebrations. Mughniyeh was a senior figure in the organisation associated with the Beirut barracks and US embassy bombings in 1983, which killed more than 350 people, as well as the kidnapping of dozens of foreigners in Lebanon in the 1980s.
"For years Hezbollah denied knowledge of Imad Mughniyeh," said the official. "And now all over south Beirut are these posters extolling the virtues of Imad Mughniyeh."
Asked if Washington had been informed of the decision in advance by the Foreign Office, he said "informed under a previous administration" would be a "more accurate description".
At the time of its announcement, the Foreign Office issued a statement saying that Britain
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Lotta chutzpah coming from an admin. that wants to "reach out" to (so-called) "moderate Taliban."
We are so screwed. This administration are starry eyed fools and charlatans
“Asked if Washington had been informed of the decision in advance by the Foreign Office, he said “informed under a previous administration” would be a “more accurate description”.”
So he was informed.
“We are so screwed. This administration are starry eyed fools and charlatans”
+1
Not only that, but we are not just “talking” with Hamas, but letting some of them immigrate here!! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2185699/posts
We also are giving them $900 million!! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2192502/posts
So they chastise UK for talking to the political wing of Hamas while Obama says he would speak to the Iranians who fund Hamas “unconditionally”
My head hurts
I think this is just another directed snub at the UK
Talking to Hezbollah: bad
Talking to nation that funds Hezbollah: good
"Reach out" to Taliban: good
Giving Hamas $900 million U.S. taxpayer dollars: good
Its maddening
Anti-semite Charles W. Freeman Jr. stepped away Tuesday from an appointment to chair the National Intelligence Council -- good
We're not losing them all.
yitbos
“complained that Barack Obama’s new administration was not properly informed of the move in advance.”
Maybe they should check their answering machine for messages from the Prime Minister’s office and return the calls once in awhile!!
Or check with a Bush Administration state department holdover because that's who they cleared it with.
yitbos
“I think this is just another directed snub at the UK”
Right.
For what reason, I have no idea.
He hates the UK for their imperialist past.
His grandfather was imprisoned under Churchill during the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya.
Obama has a chip on his shoulder
>So they chastise UK for talking to the political wing of Hamas while Obama says he would speak to the
>Iranians who fund Hamas “unconditionally”
>
>My head hurts
Take two beers and call me in the morning.
Will do.
Gnight all
Yup...don’t do as I do, do as I say.
They’re all children trying to play grown ups. Excedrin headache #101.
“He hates the UK for their imperialist past.
His grandfather was imprisoned under Churchill during the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya.
Obama has a chip on his shoulder”
Swell, thanks for the history lesson/update.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.