ROME - Britain’s ambassador to Italy described President Bush as “the best recruiting sergeant” for al-Qaida, Italian media reported on Monday.
The comment, made at a closed-door conference at the weekend, was denounced by one leading Italian newspaper editor, who issued an open letter snubbing the veteran ambassador, Sir Ivor Roberts.
Roberts was quoted as telling an annual Anglo-Italian gathering in Tuscany, “If anyone is ready to celebrate the eventual re-election of Bush, it’s al-Qaida.”
Corriere della Sera newspaper said Roberts also told the meeting of British and Italian policy-makers, “Bush is al-Qaida’s best recruiting sergeant."
Christ, even Tony Blair's government gets it.
The marching band was a nice touch, but it was time for some ranting 'round here. Glad to see you back in good form!
Did you see the "Live Vote" box on the page you linked to above? It asks: Do you agree with the reported remarks of the British diplomat about President Bush's impact on al-Qaida recruitment?
Of the 30,374 responses posted when I checked a minute ago, 73% were "yes" votes. And that's on MSNBC.
Posted by: Janis | September 20, 2004 at 09:18 PM
Well, that 73% was most likely just our State Department.
Posted by: ricky | September 20, 2004 at 09:22 PM
Plus one, from the Yellow Rose's father who also predicted the current outcome of occupation.
And speaking of whom, I would trust George, Sr. and Martha, who surely knew what Bush was up to, if they came out and said, "We know that Jr. honorably fulfilled every requirement of his Guard duty." 'Course, they won't even say, "We support his re-election." What an embarrassment he must be to those two.
Posted by: Jerry | September 21, 2004 at 05:33 AM