Mr. Bush is the least popular American president in memory with
Britons, and Prime Minister Tony Blair has been castigated by critics
as the president's "poodle" for being Mr. Bush's loyal ally and
fighting an unpopular United States-led war in Iraq.
On his recent visit to Australia, another ally of the United States
during the Iraqi war, Mr. Bush left after 21 hours and was whisked
down roads clear of ordinary people.
During Mr. Bush's trip to Asia in October, both the agenda and the
security arrangements assured that he saw few protesters.
In Manila, demonstrators were kept far from Mr. Bush, and his arrival
at the Philippine Congress was delayed until a large crowd could be
dispersed.
From The New York Times, 11/6/03:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/06/international/europe/06BRIT.html?ex=1069120773&ei=1&en=afe893c492e87232
British Police Brace for Bush Visit
By WARREN HOGE
LONDON --
President Bush, who has been shielded from protests in recent travels,
arrives in Britain on a state visit in two weeks, and the police here
are weighing how to control promised street demonstrations without
resorting to crowd control measures that could be seen as curbing free
expression.
"There will be substantial demonstrations over President Bush's visit
-- as much as 50,000 to 60,000 people," Sir John Stevens, the Scotland
Yard chief, told the Police Complaints Authority.
"Apart from ensuring his safety, which is our primary concern, we have
to ensure the demonstrations are allowed to take place in the normal
way we do in this democracy."
Mr. Bush is the least popular American president in memory with
Britons, and Prime Minister Tony Blair has been castigated by critics
as the president's "poodle" for being Mr. Bush's loyal ally and
fighting an unpopular United States-led war in Iraq.
"A central problem for Bush in Britain is that while he is greeted
with wary respect at 10 Downing Street, his unilateralism and folksy
Texas style don't go down well with the chattering classes, who regard
him as exceedingly dangerous and something of a buffoon," said Anthony
King, professor of government at Essex University.
Mr. King said that while Mr. Bush profits from appearing with Mr.
Blair, the president's presence is a liability for Mr. Blair.
______________________________________________________
"Exceedingly dangerous and something of a buffoon", eh? Yup. That's
the presidunce all right.
Harry
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