BBC: US deliberately kept Britain in the dark over Uighurs, Bermuda
posted at 10:15 am on June 13, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Yesterday, when the news broke that the British were “pissed” about Barack Obama’s dump of four of the Gitmo Uighurs onto Bermuda, the White House tried to spin it by claiming they thought Bermuda’s premier had included the UK in their end of the discussions. The BBC reports today that their sources inside the White House dispute that. Obama deliberately kept London in the dark until he thought he had a fait accompli -but the White House now claims it was for the UK’s own good:
A senior US official has told the BBC Washington decided not to tell London ahead of time about a deal to resettle four Guantanamo detainees in Bermuda. …
The unnamed senior official also told the BBC that Washington was attempting to shield the UK from Chinese anger. …
Pressed on whether the US had told the British government, an unnamed state department official was quoted as saying: “We did talk to them before the Uighurs got on the plane.”
Now a senior US official has told the BBC it was a deliberate decision not to consult London on the resettlement, after other countries came under pressure from China not to accept the Uighurs.
In a highly unusual move, a senior US official said Washington opted to keep details of the deal from London until the last minute to enable Britain to deny all knowledge of the deal and thus avoid China’s anger, says the BBC’s Washington correspondent Kim Ghattas.
They talked to them “before the Uighurs got on the plane”? Well, that was certainly sweet of them. Did they mention on which flight they’d be coming to Bermuda, or did they make the Brits guess that, too?
It’s a highly unusual move, all right. I don’t recall the last time an ally sent trained terrorists into a territory for which the other ally had responsibility for security without their permission. Why? Because it hasn’t ever happened before now.
So, to our British friends: how does it feel to have Obama make security decisions about your territory without bothering to consult you at all? The liberal press in the UK used to deride Tony Blair as George Bush’s poodle; what does that make Gordon Brown in relation to Barack Obama? It’s a good thing that arrogant Bush isn’t running things in Washington any more, huh?
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If they don’t want them, then why doesn’t Britain tell Bermuda to send them back to the U.S.?
All a game.
albill on June 13, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Arrogant. Incompetent. Paternalistic. Boneheaded. I’m at a loss to find the right adjectives to describe this move.
redfoxbluestate on June 13, 2009 at 11:15 AM
And also a Troll and a Plant.
El Coqui on June 13, 2009 at 11:15 AM
I can prove all your criticisms of Obama are a lie.
Suppose for the sake of your foolish sentiments that Obama did succeed in destabilizing the world.
Okay, there would be riots in the streets, suicides, a rush on the banks.
The world would be without a leader.
Obama doesn’t want that. Who would want a leaderless world? Who would run things?
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:17 AM
And it still hasn’t happened. What you seem to be forgetting is that The Precedent doesn’t consider the UK to be an ally. The Precedent looks at Europe as the enemy, because he is on the other side.
But it’s OK to let his wife and kids visit their swank boutiques.
As far as he’s concerned, the US is now allies with Cuba and Venezuela and Iran …
Has anyone told them yet? They still don’t seem to be warming up to us. This is what happens when people vote for a child to do an adult job.
mizflame98 on June 13, 2009 at 11:18 AM
that may actually be the plan. The Brits will kick them out, to the US which is where Barry wanted to put them in the first place. But of course now he can claim “hey I tried to put them in Bermuda!”
conservnut on June 13, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Good grief. Yeah, taking an incredibly damaging story for the Obama administration and turning it into grist for the Birther mill is an incredibly effective argument. Keep at it, champs.
Next up: Andrew Sullivan explains how preventative detention is all the fault of Trig Palin’s true mother…
Siobhan on June 13, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Unless you really want to have one of his babies.
Loxodonta on June 13, 2009 at 11:20 AM
I laughed, but then I don’t live in Bermuda.
Cindy Munford on June 13, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Get lost, moron.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 11:22 AM
My president bows to foreign potentates.
Loxodonta on June 13, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Amazing these Dude Boy Kelb Jihadis will be getting to look at T’n'A
World gone mad.
blatantblue on June 13, 2009 at 11:23 AM
I live to dream. That would be awesome, but can you imagine how much of our money the president would give to keep that from happening. Or maybe he would just get a hitman and blame it on vigilantes.
Cindy Munford on June 13, 2009 at 11:24 AM
I like Doogie Howser.
This moron is more like Spiccoli
http://www.hilarious.net/sean-penns-best-jeff-spicoli-moments/
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on June 13, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Barack Obama: Losing friends and gaining enemies
Change
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 13, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Suppose for a second how it would play out in the media if the Brits would just have their agents round up the Uighurs in Bermuda and put them on a plane to,say Chicago. They have at least as much right to do that as Obama had to dump them in the first place.
MikeA on June 13, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Maliciously incompetent, or incompetently malicious! That pretty much sums it up for the entire Obama administration.
Christian Conservative on June 13, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Well considering a great number of his followers including many in the press think BO is a god then I guess you are right.
jmarcure on June 13, 2009 at 11:25 AM
This is hilarious. I wonder if the British still want him to be president of the world?
We’re all going to be crazy by the end of his term.
moonsbreath on June 13, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Could be, but so many public repercussions–seems not to have been worth it if it was all a charade. And why not the Falklands instead of a vacation paradise, if Britain was going to take some anyway?
JiangxiDad on June 13, 2009 at 11:25 AM
What have you said about Obama keeping our allies in the dark?
CWforFreedom on June 13, 2009 at 11:26 AM
We don’t intend them as arguments. Think of these comments as more like portraits in your mom’s scrap book. There’s Obama in the pews smiling at Jeremiah Wrights church of hate, there’s Obama in Kenya practicing his Koran verses. Oh, and there’s Obama having coffee with members of the Weather Underground.
No argument is implied, nor is one needed.
The fact is, we’re disgusted that so many folks, hopefully not you, just didn’t seem care what they were throwing at the White House.
That’s the disgrace. Obama is almost too feckless to be important in all this. It’s the Democrat party — that’s where I direct my contempt.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Yea, I bet these guys make into the U.S. soon enough. and, is it just me or has anyone seen or heard from Hillary lately???
the Coondawg on June 13, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Totally amazing. Just when you think this cretin couldn’t possibly be any more narcissistic than he has shown himself to be he ups the ante. Now he’s deciding what’s best for other countries? This guy needs to be thrown out of office before we end up in a war with our ALLIES.
Me, I’d have just sent those wiggers to China. Let China deal with their muslim extremist problem. As much as I don’t like communist China, I really don’t want to see 1/3 or more of it get taken over by radical islamists. I don’t think that would be a good thing.
Spiritk9 on June 13, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Amidst all this–how is Palau doing? Given the upstanding and ethical example of our President, their best option would be to take the “Weegurs”(some poster called them this and it’s easier to spell), take their millions and then bargain with China to see what they’ll pay to get them back. Obama’s one stop lesson in Chicago politics–learned!!
jeanie on June 13, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Thanks for the laugh, kid. Obviously you slept thru the 8 years the BBC bashed Chimpy Bush.
Del Dolemonte on June 13, 2009 at 11:27 AM
aengus on June 13, 2009 at 10:55 AM
The overall UK-US relationship was much better. Also, we had medical students in possible danger during the coup and aftermath.
Keep describing those apples as segmented citrus fruit, though. Does wonders for your argument.
cs89 on June 13, 2009 at 11:27 AM
But NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg does. I’ve been outside his house there–he’s there more often than the press admits to. I love to think he did this to thank Bloomberg for making such a big stink about Air Force 1 flying over NYC.
JiangxiDad on June 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Re: Obama. This Dude is absolutely ON-A-ROLL!
Recommendations:
1) Change most of your money into gold.
2) Invest the rest of your money in ammo.
3) Build a bomb shelter, stat!
Yoop on June 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Mr. Obama is not capable of bad judgment. I question your entire premise.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Not to mention the internation film festivals (aka drunken orgies) in which movies about George Bush’s assassination were hailed as works of art? Or the spate of not too cleverly disguised movies with has-beens like Tom Cruise about plots to kill Hitler?
Yeah, that wasn’t reckless or treasonous at all.
Democrats are despicable. But we knew that.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:30 AM
It serves them right in a way for fawning over Obama last year and helping get this monster elected.
katy on June 13, 2009 at 10:59 AM
they, and those here that voted for him deserve every horrible thing and more that is coming to them thanks to what this fraud is doing to our country.
Ghoul aid on June 13, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Sending terrorists to a place that 90% of Americans canot afford to visit and 99% could never qualify to live is very distasteful….our tax dollars in action.
JIMV on June 13, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I guess I would be willing to kick in $25 toward their tickets, just to watch the fun. Maybe another $25 toward the rental of a house on Obama’s street. Anybody else in?
Yoop on June 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
She will not finish Obama’s term in office. Her resignation will be asked for and received, and become a footnote in history.
Which is what she deserves.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
You’ve proven nothing. Barry doesn’t WANT to destabilize the world, but he’s too blinded by his own greatness to see that’s where he’s headed.
Dee2008 on June 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
I seem to remember it’s true the queen publicly complained about an invasion of a commonwealth nation. I do agree that Grenada wasn’t a commonwealth nation to be proud of, and I suppose the British were pleased at the outcome. Nevertheless, it does illustrate the point that weak nations get pushed around.
JiangxiDad on June 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
He seems to be setting up a system where there’s a good chance he can retire to either Palau or Bermuda.
econavenger on June 13, 2009 at 11:33 AM
It’s easier to non-apologize than it is to not-ask for permission.
Maquis on June 13, 2009 at 11:33 AM
tomas has been active on this board for quite a while. I’ve seen no evidence he is a troll or a plant. Where did you come up with that? Just because you disagree with him?
a capella on June 13, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Maybe O thought he could sneak them in? Dress them in plaid shorts and pastel shirts and equip them with golf bags and no one will notice.
jeanie on June 13, 2009 at 11:34 AM
You missed my point, I’m saying Obama is a true Patriot who wouldn’t want world instability.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:35 AM
The most transparent administration evah appears to have redefined transparent.
Rockygold on June 13, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Who knew Muhammad was right? Slay the infidels, get caught, and you too could be sent to live in paradise, all expenses paid! Second look at Islam!
TheBigOldDog on June 13, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Not until the (shudder) second term. He does not want a viable choice for a primary fight when things get ugly.
conservnut on June 13, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Maya Angelou- please report in about what your European friends think of Obama now….
journeyintothewhirlwind on June 13, 2009 at 11:38 AM
I didn’t object to the invasion or say it was unnecessary. I’m saying that leaving Thatcher (who would hardly have sided with the Commies) out of the loop shows us something fundamental about the one-sided nature of the US-UK alliance. Which Obama has now abused.
For my “argument” to work it doesn’t require identical circumstances. Your pettifoggery is tiresome.
aengus on June 13, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I would be much more comfortable if we knew it was Obama’s intent to destabilize the world. In that situation we would be able to anticipate his reasons for a created incident and have a chance of getting out in front of his actions.
When we are, instead, dealing with a totally incompetent dolt we have no way of anticipating when he might push the wrong button.
Yoop on June 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Did you forget a sarcasm tag there?
Gator Country on June 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM
I told you so.
Obama hates the UK and insults them at every opportunity.
Felonious Monk on June 13, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Just another example of Barry ’spreading the love’ with all that ’smart diplomacy’.
GarandFan on June 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Hillary is laying low waiting for the right time to leak information making Biden/Clinton the new Administration.
econavenger on June 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM
It’s just that Obama read Newsweek and now that he has been declared a god (sort of), he can hurl lightning bolts from Mt. Olympus with impunity.
College Prof on June 13, 2009 at 11:43 AM
The David Letterman approach to foreign policy.
Loxodonta on June 13, 2009 at 11:44 AM
May I add to your post that they will also mount further attacks upon US interests?
Inevitable.
If and when someone now detained at Club Gitmo is implicated in an attack upon US interests after his release can we expect immediate impeachment proceedings to be followed by trial for treason?
Its just as simple as that folks. Today they are in our custody. Releasing them under some smoke and mirrors pretense of justice into the custody of some foreign government that may or may not have our best interests at heart, having them set free, only to have them attack us again is a violation of the oath of office and clearly an act of treason.
turfmann on June 13, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Eh. Shrillary isn’t that smart. Not even close. She’s just eating donuts, somewhere.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 11:45 AM
It is so easy to totally lose it when it comes to this guy’s arrogance and the silence from all his cronies.People are sacrificing everything they believe in to do his bidding!
Does anybody in washington have any ?!?!?!’s at all? I think not.
ohiobabe on June 13, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Michelle? I mean, she has such great taste and toned arms.
Loxodonta on June 13, 2009 at 11:46 AM
It’s aiding and abetting the enemy as it stands, even without any more attacks.
progressoverpeace on June 13, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Funny you should say that about an island. I’ve been wondering where Barry’s St. Helena will be. I do suspect that like the tinhorn dictators of other lands, he will find asylum elsewhere when his reign has ended.
JiangxiDad on June 13, 2009 at 11:49 AM
This sham of a Democrat Party began in 1992.
Many of the commenters here were in diapers in that year, but let me refresh your memories.
George H.W. Bush was the most popular President in history.
Many prominent and respectable Democrats (yes, there were a few in the olden days) withdrew from the 1992 primary campaign because they believed Bush was not beatable.
And then, what was to become the State run media hatched a plan resembling the plot of My Fair Lady. (To this day, Hillary believes her role ought to be played by Audrey Hepburn). Leftist media scrounged up a nobody named Bill Clinton, cleaned him up and presented him as the Democrat Party nominee. Next, Leftist media launched a shadow campaign during their news broadcasts, breathlessly reporting that the economy in 1992 was “the worst economy since the Great Depression”.
Sound familiar? Yes, you ought to be concerned.
The narrative ran 24/7 on every media outlet. They’d pull out stock footage of some poor bastard weeping because he lost his job, and plastered it all over the networks.
Daily opinion polls revealed that most people believed other people were suffering in the fabricated economic meltdown, though they themselves still had jobs.
Perhaps not surprisingly in retrospect, Clinton won.
Democrats took notes about how they pulled it off, and to this day, the State run media knows it has influence it doesn’t deserve. Without the State run media, Obama would still be an unaccomplished junior senator from the most corrupt state in the Union.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Okay, there would be riots in the streets, suicides, a rush on the banks.
It is almost here be patient…
Who would want a leaderless world?
Al Queda
Who would run things?
Anything would be better than Obama…that is the problem…
I don’t want anyone to “run anything”.
izoneguy on June 13, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I am feeling schadenfreude on so many levels here – the Brits who supported Obama need this and EVEN MORE. After relentlessly attacking Bush from across the pond for the last 8 years for his policies on terror, WHO ARE THE RUBES NOW ? ( just like Instapundit would ask !)
After all, the Brits claimed that these people in Gitmo are innocent, are’nt they ? Why not have them as guests and treat them nicely – and hope that they dont bomb Britain ?
The rubes that support Obama here and who were loudly complaining about how Bush dissed our allies, what do you have to say now ?
This is what happens when you cover for Obama. If this retards had any sense of shame, they would admit that Bush’s polices were much much better than what any one could have come up with and how Obama is nothing more than a talking man child.
Enjoy your fracking 44th President, morons.
nagee76 on June 13, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Oh my God, I just tried to say the words “Obama’s second term” and I couldn’t form the words. I couldn’t do it.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Barack Obama: Losing friends and gaining enemies
Change
Dr.Cwac.Cwac
By antagonizing our friends and groveling to our enemies.
SKYFOX on June 13, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I think Obama envisions himself as a king and would like to rule in a warm island paradise. He has figured out he cannot (but he is still trying) become king of america.
izoneguy on June 13, 2009 at 11:55 AM
My Women’s Studies Professor said that white men should never be in charge because 200,000 women are murdered by their partners on Super Bowl Sunday.
So think about those facts before you denounce President Obama.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Gordon Brown could always ship them to Guam or Puerto Rico.
mizflame98 on June 13, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Evidence please.
Dee2008 on June 13, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Eager to visit a Eighur? Come to Bermuda! or
Have a P.O.W. wow in Palea!
What fun!!!
Nalea on June 13, 2009 at 11:56 AM
So what does that mean? Should we expect his white half to knock off Michelle during the next Super Bowl?
Dee2008 on June 13, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I think what really happened was that they didn’t know that the Brits have the secuity responsibility. There are a lot of little kids making some very stupid decisions in this administration and someone always has to back track and provide silly explanations of why this or that happened.
Vince on June 13, 2009 at 12:00 PM
jeff_from_mpls: You are wierd!
Vince on June 13, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I wonder what both the CIA and MI6 are doing right about now. Sure, their rest might have been a bunch of twats, but the Brits were still useful allies. First we get the row about that gift, then nobody invites the queen to D-Day celebrations, and now this?
Great. That’s just great. I hope the next guy can fix the mess.
Ack on June 13, 2009 at 12:04 PM
*press, not rest
Ack on June 13, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Smarter. Foreign. Policy.
misterpeasea on June 13, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Drop them off on the White House lawn.
Felonious Monk on June 13, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Obama didn’t just have coffee with members of the Weather Underground. He cashed their checks.
ILB on June 13, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I know I am a broken record but again I must point out the the trolls don’t seem to come their hero’s defense. Why is that?
Cindy Munford on June 13, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Don’t forget the /noob tag. It’s required.
DarkCurrent on June 13, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Perfect! They can help Michelle with her garden.
mizflame98 on June 13, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Because they give coordinated, pre-approved talking points, and they haven’t received any yet. Think of the Borg but without a message. The hive goes still.
JiangxiDad on June 13, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Hyde Park. But, truth be told, they might actually improve the neighborhood. The Uighurs are less of a threat than Ayers, Wright, or Farrakhan.
PimFortuynsGhost on June 13, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Sign on a bar in Bermuda:
Come on in,
and get BOMBED.
;-)
Yoop on June 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I don’t think Chicago jesus is stupid. I think he is a maniacal, narcissistic, shrewd and clever fraud. Together with the media, he is systematically dismantling our Nation. Think about it. In less than 6 months, Chicago jesus now:
1. Owns the Banks
2. Owns Manufacturing
3. Owns Real Estate
4. Will eventually own your Health and well being
Our nation is in peril. Fight.
Key West Reader on June 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM
aengus on June 13, 2009 at 11:39 AM
The relationship between the US and UK has generally been much more evenhanded than the string of Obama snubs. Bringing Grenada into the argument meets the definition of trifling, IMO, in the sense of “Reagan did it too!”
Oh, and I seem to remember a string of communication between Reagan and Thatcher before and after the invasion which probably wasn’t replicated here. Reagan didn’t include Thatcher in the decision, true. He made a bold choice and lived with the consequences.
cs89 on June 13, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Give the Uighurs parachutes, shotguns, all the ammo they can carry and dump them over NYC. Lets see how many liberals will welcome them.
P.S. We just did the same to Bermuda. Anyone with a brain knows it is the most effective killing machine.
tormod on June 13, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Yeah, I know, problem is I decided never to distinguish between genuine and sarcastic comments, sort of an Andy Kaufman thing.
Like Andy, I do it to keep life unpredictable and interesting.
Don’t you get bored with the same old yadda yadda? Can’t you pretty much predict the exact nature of the comments that will follow from a given Hot Air article?
So, there are a few of us who go off the deep end now and then. We usually get banned, and then it’s back to the same old “you know, I believe Obama is triangulating just like Clinton did, which means that the blue dog democrats…. yadda yadda yadda.”
That’s my explanation for what it’s worth.
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Yup. It’s saturday. Chicago jesus rests on Saturday.
Key West Reader on June 13, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Looks like I can’t post a comment here, tow did not make it
entagor on June 13, 2009 at 12:26 PM
I would have dropped them off in Nancy Pelosi’s back yard.
jimmy2shoes on June 13, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Actually it was a mistake. They were supposed to go to Obamabeach not Bermudabeach.
faol on June 13, 2009 at 12:28 PM
jeff_from_mpls on June 13, 2009 at 11:51 AM
I think Ross Perot was the active ingredient in Bush’s loss.
faol on June 13, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I guess the Brits should be grateful that 0-bama didn’t put the Uighurs on a plane headed for Heathrow without telling them. For their own good, you know.
Un-freaking-believable. Children are running the country.
Cicero43 on June 13, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Word of advice…next time your Women’s Studies teacher gives you statistics, ask for her source. She sounds like a real whack job.
Dee2008 on June 13, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I told you so.
Obama hates the UK and insults them at every opportunity.
Felonious Monk
All evidence points to this. Can the reason be as simple as resentment over past mistreatment of his ancestors? Or could Ogabe be quite simply deranged?
SKYFOX on June 13, 2009 at 12:32 PM
They are starting to infest other threads. Some dhimmi (harry boris) and Soros’s favorite knob licker (Lizza) have shown up on the murdered Pakistani Christian thread in the headlines.
PimFortuynsGhost on June 13, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Please keep it up. It’s usually the early hours of the morning in Australia, as I peruse the posts, and your comments, and others like them, make me sit up and concentrate, so I don’t make a fool of myself by going off half-cocked.
OldEnglish on June 13, 2009 at 12:32 PM
The Bermuda/Palau move by Obama may end up causing both of
these governments to chage.
Dear President Obama:
If what you do causes foreign governments to change by accident, you are doing it wrong.
thgrant on June 13, 2009 at 12:37 PM
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