PJC Journal – Original » 2008 » August

Aug

Cameron makes Brown and Miliband look total twats over Georgia

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Gordon Brown has finally joined calls for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia.

The Prime Minister spoke by telephone to
President Mikhail Saakashvili following the Georgian leader's meeting
in Tbilisi with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

“The Prime Minister described Russia's
incursion into Georgia as a completely unjustified violation of
Georgia's territorial integrity. Russian forces must withdraw
immediately,” Mr Brown's spokesman said.

But Brown's pathetic move to make a few phone calls only followed an
announcement that Tory leader David Cameron will fly to Georgia on
Saturday in a show of support for the beleaguered Caucasus republic.

This move by Cameron just highlights the ineptitude and slowness of the government’s response and the power vacuum left by a lame duck Prime Minister and a Foreign Secretary who could not be bothered and took a week to break his holiday.

(What was that, oh yes, the EU now takes care of foreign affairs for the UK so I can stay and sun myself a little more)

It was noticeable that Secretary of State Rice called in to see Sarkozy on her way to Georgia to discuss the situation and not Brown or Miliband.

What now for Gordon? Does he also make a visit that will look like a copycat move or does he condemn Cameron’s actions?

And Miliband? What's the betting that he is now looking around for an earlier flight…..

This government is pathetic. God help anyone who really relies on them.

Human Rights or political expiediency?

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We learn from England Expects that following the discovery
that Commissioner Vassiliou appears to have breached the rules set down
by the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, Godfrey Bloom has just
put in a follow up question to the Commission.

What is the Commission's position regarding the statements made by Mrs Vassiliou, where she confirmed that she would “to
commit today not to accept any invitation coming from the tobacco
industry or those working to prefer its interest while I hold this
office” (Statement made July 15th in the European Parliament)?

Is
the Commission aware that this position by the Commissioner is in
direct contravention of the European Charter of Human Rights, especially

Article 20 Equality before the law Everyone is equal before the law.

Article
11, Freedom of expression and information. Para 1. Everyone has the
right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to
hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without
interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.

and

Article 41, Right to good administration.

Para2.
This right includes: the right of every person to be heard, before any
individual measure which would affect him or her adversely is taken.

Does the Commission believe that its own staff and officials should abide by the provisions of the Charter?

If not will it provide a list of exemptions?