Straw puts his foot in it
28 September 2004, 10:00 AM
#1
Straw puts his foot in it
JACK STRAW
LONDON (Reuters) - Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has been criticised for shaking hands with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, whom he has previously accused of human rights abuses.
Straw was caught by a BBC camera shaking hands with the Zimbabwean leader last week at the United Nations in New York, a move which the Conservative party described as a "scandalous betrayal" of the people of Zimbabwe.
Straw defended his actions by saying it had been too dark to recognise Mugabe.
"I had not expected to see President Mugabe there," he was quoted by newspapers as saying.
"Because it was quite dark in the corner, I was being pushed towards shaking hands with somebody just as a matter of courtesy, and then it transpired it was President Mugabe."
I don't know what is more astonishing - shaking hands with a dictator or the excuse he gave - sounds more like one Blunkett would come up with
LONDON (Reuters) - Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has been criticised for shaking hands with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, whom he has previously accused of human rights abuses.
Straw was caught by a BBC camera shaking hands with the Zimbabwean leader last week at the United Nations in New York, a move which the Conservative party described as a "scandalous betrayal" of the people of Zimbabwe.
Straw defended his actions by saying it had been too dark to recognise Mugabe.
"I had not expected to see President Mugabe there," he was quoted by newspapers as saying.
"Because it was quite dark in the corner, I was being pushed towards shaking hands with somebody just as a matter of courtesy, and then it transpired it was President Mugabe."
I don't know what is more astonishing - shaking hands with a dictator or the excuse he gave - sounds more like one Blunkett would come up with
28 September 2004, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Butty
Straw defended his actions by saying it had been too dark to recognise Mugabe.
"I had not expected to see President Mugabe there," he was quoted by newspapers as saying.
"Because it was quite dark in the corner, I was being pushed towards shaking hands with somebody just as a matter of courtesy, and then it transpired it was President Mugabe."
"I had not expected to see President Mugabe there," he was quoted by newspapers as saying.
"Because it was quite dark in the corner, I was being pushed towards shaking hands with somebody just as a matter of courtesy, and then it transpired it was President Mugabe."
28 September 2004, 10:16 AM
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28 September 2004, 11:04 AM
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Heard him on the radio,
"It was dark, I couldn't really see that well"
An excuse most of us have used at one point or another the following morning!
"It was dark, I couldn't really see that well"
An excuse most of us have used at one point or another the following morning!
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28 September 2004, 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ajm
He should have turned his back on Mugabe, that's what.
so he's introduced to him...then stood there in front of him he should turn his back and walk off?
i think jacks in politics...not playschool!
maybe he should have done that thing where you go to shake hands then quickly pull your hand away....he could have said "your too slowwwww"
28 September 2004, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Tiggs
so he's introduced to him...then stood there in front of him he should turn his back and walk off?
I resent the fact that Straw, who is representing US, chose to shake hands thereby symbolising agreement with an evil, corrupt dictator.
maybe he should have done that thing where you go to shake hands then quickly pull your hand away....he could have said "your too slowwwww"
28 September 2004, 12:35 PM
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If it was an honest mistake, which can happen when surrounded by fawning minions etc., then I feel a bit sorry for him. The proper thing was to ignore that nasty piece of work, best done by turning his back on him. Can't see Mugabe getting the SH treatment somehow however!
They have not got any WMD's yet. Got to have a positive reason to attack him.
Les
They have not got any WMD's yet. Got to have a positive reason to attack him.
Les
Last edited by Leslie; 28 September 2004 at 12:38 PM.
28 September 2004, 12:40 PM
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"chose to shake hands thereby symbolising agreement with an evil, corrupt dictator."
the shaking of hands, when done at an initial meeting, symbolises agreement of both parties to say hello in a formal manner. thats all.
the shaking of hands, when done at an initial meeting, symbolises agreement of both parties to say hello in a formal manner. thats all.
28 September 2004, 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Leslie
If it was an honest mistake, which can happen when surrounded by fawning minions etc., then I feel a bit sorry for him.
28 September 2004, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Tiggs
the shaking of hands, when done at an initial meeting, symbolises agreement of both parties to say hello in a formal manner. thats all.
28 September 2004, 05:43 PM
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What gets me is that he said he could not be inpolite to him! Yes you bloody could you silly t!t, he is a murderous piece of scum who needs putting in front of a jury and convicted of murder, corruption and theft. That is plenty of reason not to shake hands with him
Anyway time to drum up some rumours about WMD in Zimbabwe so we can bomb the **** out of Mugabe next
Anyway time to drum up some rumours about WMD in Zimbabwe so we can bomb the **** out of Mugabe next
28 September 2004, 05:52 PM
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he had a split second to make a call.....he made the obvious one and shook his hand to say hi. no big deal, im sure they didnt swap tales of rape and torture.
while its all very macho to say punch him, **** on him, give hime the bird........in the real world he did what most ppl would do in that position.
T
while its all very macho to say punch him, **** on him, give hime the bird........in the real world he did what most ppl would do in that position.
T
28 September 2004, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by **************
Anyway time to drum up some rumours about WMD in Zimbabwe so we can bomb the **** out of Mugabe next
"hey, guys, at the time I really believed they had weapons of mass destruction!"
job done!
28 September 2004, 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by paulr
it was one of those horrible limp handshakes as well.
29 September 2004, 08:25 AM
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It is quite likely that he was led to Mugabe very quickly and therefore did not realise whose hand he was about to shake until too late. Bit difficult to get out of it if you have already clasped hands.
He could of course have dragged Mugabe away from the table when he realised who he was and kicked him in the goolies, but he might have been accused of not being diplomatic!
Les
He could of course have dragged Mugabe away from the table when he realised who he was and kicked him in the goolies, but he might have been accused of not being diplomatic!
Les
29 September 2004, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Leslie
It is quite likely that he was led to Mugabe very quickly and therefore did not realise whose hand he was about to shake until too late. Bit difficult to get out of it if you have already clasped hands.
mike
29 September 2004, 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Tiggs
"chose to shake hands thereby symbolising agreement with an evil, corrupt dictator."
the shaking of hands, when done at an initial meeting, symbolises agreement of both parties to say hello in a formal manner. thats all.
the shaking of hands, when done at an initial meeting, symbolises agreement of both parties to say hello in a formal manner. thats all.
Straw should have said, "I'll shake your hand when you stop murdering your people". Then walked away.
Like most politicians, spineless.
Last edited by Buckrogers; 30 September 2004 at 12:41 AM.
30 September 2004, 01:12 AM
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I think he probably got his "excuse" from a colleague closer to home. Can't even think of a decent excuse, cribbing off the less fortunate like that....
30 September 2004, 06:10 PM
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Oh dear. he shook hands with Mugabe 
People are up in arms about this, yet the UK is allied with a war mongering superpower who happens to have hundreds of people illegaly detained in a sh1tehole of a prison in Guantanamo bay.
Priorities people!
People are up in arms about this, yet the UK is allied with a war mongering superpower who happens to have hundreds of people illegaly detained in a sh1tehole of a prison in Guantanamo bay.
Priorities people!