Praise for Blair but Iraq still a blight

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-11-2007 08:26

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair acknowledges supporters as he leaves the Trimdon Labour Club, in Sedgefield, northeast England. The United States on Thursday hailed the "extraordinary" leadership of departing Blair, whose tight embrace of the US administration poisoned his standing at home.(AFP/Carl De Souza)

Reaction to Blair's resignation has been coming in from around the world.

To US President George W. Bush, Tony Blair is a remarkable person and a good friend.

Bush said, "He is a political figure who is capable of thinking over the horizon. He's a long term thinker. I have found him to be a man who has kept his word, which sometimes is rare in the political circles I run in."

In Brussels, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso calls Blair a very good collaborator. However, he notes that in Britain "the debate for Europe is not yet won."

EU foreign Policy chief Javier Solana praises Tony Blair's leadership in the United Kingdom.

Solana said, "I think Blair has been a very important leader, not only the UK but world-wide, there's no doubt about that. I have many remembrances of cooperating with him."

The judgment of Blair's decade in power is very different in Tehran.

Kamal Daneshyar, Iranian Parliament energy committee, said, "The soul of all those men, women and children who have been brutally killed as a result of Blair's policies are waiting to witness his suffering. Early resignation is not the only result of Blair's wrongdoings and his crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan will make him face psychological problems."

Moustafa Barghouti, Palestinian Information Minister, said, "We hope that the departure of Mr Blair and the coming of a new prime minister will lead to a serious change in the British politics that is less biased to Israel, that is more reasonable in cooperating with the Palestinian side, that would support lifting the embargo on the Palestinian people."

Iraqis doubt Blair's departure will affect life in their country. Many believe Blair failed to realize all of the goals he wished to achieve. One was to save world from terrorism, something that has only increased in Iraq.

Editor:Du Xiaodan