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32,000 IRA bombs since 1972. Felix Training Centre inside army house. 1984 Brighton Bombing, Cons party conference: 5 dead, many injuries. Mortar bombing of No. 10. 1972 Bloody Sunday Shane O'Doherty, convicted IRA bomber of Derry who wrote apologies to victims from inside prison; lived in fantasy world. Col. W. cat and mouse game or leapfrog game, losing operators on road to developing skills and techniques. EScalation: short fuse nail bomb simple timing anti handling device screw down wooden box -- but soldiers used fishing line and small detonator to open up. car bomb to kills disposal experts -- they smothered with foam (but hard to defuse by hand) robots followed, with small disruptive charge; then radio controlled (but bombs then radio controlled), then water gun to disrupt bomb; water bomb to disrupt car boot/beer keg bomb. O'Doherty blew himself up in Derry with an own goal bomb -- then asked by IRA to head to London. letter bombs in London (O'Doherty.) -- many defused by Peter Gurney who also defused mortar bombs in No.10. (red hot -- only to find their contents had burned away. Hostage bombs with driver attached to car -- forced disposal officers to race. Future? Virtual reality glove to guide robots Secondary bombs set to kill disposal men -- fishing line to trace trip wires. South Armagh rail line: primary bomb and two secondaries, then a fourth discovered, using rails themselves as command wire. W.O. "K" blown up but returned, blew up rails to prevent explosion. 1996 Canary Wharf bomb -- large scale.
This would strengthen Adams in keeping his troops with him, especially over touchy issue of decommissioning arms. Major is pressed by reporter on whether Clinton shook hands with Adams on Falls Rd -- unaware of fragility of peace. But Docklands bomb soon, caused $150 M in damage. 17 months of ceasefire had ended. Tony Lake (US NS adviser) says PIRA's Adams gave quick warning -- but McGuinness denies Sinn Fein knew in advance. McGuinness and Adams lost authority -- but were elected MPs during:
[Good Friday Peace Agreement, 1998. PIRA to decommission arms in secret from British intelligence but under watchful eyes of international commission. Power-sharing institutions. Recognition of interest of Irish Government in northern affairs.]
Amanpour Reports, CNN, “The War
Within”
-Religious Extremism in Britain-
By Shane Stinemetz and Todd Adams (combined
notes), Spring 2008
• “Blowing up people is ‘Cool’,” says one Muslim.• A suicide bombers personal video tape account shows the bomber justify his actions through the Koran’s teachings
• 13% of [muslim] polled believe 7/7 bus bombers in London are martyrs.
• 49% polled believe 7/7 bombings were related to British involvement in Iraq.
• Does the Koran really back suicide bombings?• Radicals are building underground networks, targeting young disillusioned males to join their cause.
• Enemies within Islam are causing problems• Are suicide bombings hurting radical Islamic followers reputation?
• British radicals blame American foreign policy to justify their actions.
• Extremists consider all fellow Muslims “brothers” including Al Qaeda
• 13% of consider suicide bombers martyrs
• What image is this presenting for the younger generations of Brits?• Religious radicals are attempting to communicate to the younger generations
• Some Muslim’s express their oppression through art rather then violent activity. They are still able to get attention (media etc) through their artwork.• Young generations of Muslims are tired of racial profiling and being labeled “extremists” by their peers because of the reputation of previous generations
• Rap video about building a dirty bomb• British muslims want their children to have the same rights as natural born Britons.
• Graffiti becoming an outlet to express Islam peacefully
• Some Britons are not supportive of the mega-mosque being built on the East End.
• Group which commissioned the mega-mosque is very secretive and fundamentalist.
• Some Britons believe this mosque will recruit homegrown terrorists.
• The Muslim culture in Britain feels
under siege by Caucasian whites and feels they deserve the same opportunities
to build a new house of worship despite Muslim extremist actions over the
years.
• “Do not interfere with Muslims and You will be safe.”
George V in 1935 celebrated 25 years on throne. Issue of adaptation and survival, contrast with other European monarchies after WW1. "A knack of getting things right." Patriotism and family life. Grandson of Queen Victoria, whose family inermarried across Europe (Germany and Russia ruled by cousins) -- linked haunted him. George not brought up as heir, not good student -- older brother Eddie a hopeless student, dogged by sexual scandals, died suddenly of pneumonia. George inherited Eddie's fiancee, German princess, cold & stiff but left love letters. 1910 succeeded as King of UK and Emperor of India 1911 Delhi Durbar staged meeting, with invented traditions, spectacular ceremonies (like other European royals). 1914 witch hunts and spy scares against Germans and German culture. Press intensified hysteria. George's cousin, Admiral Louis Battenburg is hounded out of navy. Royals are "alien and uninspiring court." Need to reinvent monarchy as British, changed name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (or others) to Windsor Battenburg changed to Mountbatten, and German relatives cut off. King cut off relations with Nicholas II, though, with consequences -- advised not to offer sanctuary to Tsar, abandon cousin Irish republicanism rising but not spreading. Empire exhibition in Wembley stadium, with exhibits from many countries. Grand spectacle combined with appearance of middle class domestic virtue and decency. Lived in York cottage instead of main house. Shooting and stamp collecting. Rigid routine, didn't go out to entertainment (frustrating Queen Mary). Queen Alexandra died without ever accepting that her children had grown up. George intimidated by own father, passed that down to own children. Mary also unable to hug children. Edward obsessive in exercise and Bertie developed terrible stutter George drank, womanized, but not exposed in media. Edward developed star quality with public - but harbored severe internal doubts. Successful trip to Australia, mobbed by fans -- but George only offered petty criticisms. Edward had affairs with married women, a form of rebellion. George saw role as referee above the football teams of political parties, seek unity in crises. Great Depression. KIng advised Ramsay MacDonald to form national coalition government -- but then lacked official Opposition for a decade, left opposition only on streets. King successful 1932 with Christmas radio broadcast. Jubilee successful -- but Edward flaunted Mrs. Simpson, American, at ball. Unsuitable for the heir. Euthanasia: King's life ended before midnight with injections of cocaine and morphine to jugular vein by Lord Dawson. Allowed for publication in Times next morning rather than by gutter press. Edward succeeds to throne, but a controversial first year. Character had not been developed, had little sense of identity. Baldwin described him as half boy, half genius. Paramours included American, but Wallis Simpson (quick, smart, social climber) stole him away. Divorcee socially unacceptable at court. Began King's flight. Survived bomb thrower in crowded parade, continued on horseback -- but courtiers had lost confidence in him. Duke of York happily married, a contrast. Edward admired Hitler's road building and 1936 Olympics, did not realize how dangerous he was. Prince of Saxe-Coburg came in Nazi uniform to George V funeral, tactless. Edward saw himself as superior to the PM, Baldwin. Edward opposed to war over Rhineland -- interfered in politics. Mrs. Simpson leaked cabinet discussion to Ribbentrop, who discussed it at a party the same day. Edward cruised the Med with Wallis
Wallis Simpson getting divorced, but would only leave two weeks before coronation of Edward VIII Queen & cabinet advised against marriage, Church of England opposed, public opposed when (belatedly) informed of the divorce. Mrs. Simpson fled to South of France Dominions opposed to marriage or to consrt status Edward went like a lamb, avoiding constitutional crisis, 1936 -- unable to carry the burden of King without the support of the women I love. working class cockneys responded favorably, contrast with upper class assumption that throne meant so much more than love Younger brother Bertie (George VI) speaks shyly and with stammer. Unable to compete with Edward for publicity. married Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, publicized by Cecil Beaton images as glamourous yet wholesome. glamorous Edward impressed by Hitler Appeasement by Chamberlain failed KIng & Queen accepted invitation to visit FDR, in a neutral country -- where sympathetic to Edward & Wallis Queen alledgedly dowdy compared to Wallis -- but showed well in US, won crowds Britain declared war on Germany, if isolated by Germany's control of continent Chamberlain out of office, Churchill in -- so George VI loses his trusted PM and gains one who championed Edward. Buckingham palace hit by a bomb -- royals refuse to be evacuated, greatly improved public approval Edward, Duke of Windsor, fobbed off with staff job in France -- but had to flee to Spain, where Germans tried to gain his public sympathy. Duke sent to become Governor of Bahamas, avoiding German kidnap plot Princess Elizabeth married to Mountbatten's nephew, Phillip Duke of Windsor and German relations all cut off by royals -- Edward has permanent vacation Death of King to lung cancer -- burden fell on 25 year old Elizabeth II
tape ends.
notes by Liz Arnett, Fall 2004 In the 20th century, George V rebuilt the monarchy. In order for the monarchy to survive, it needed to create public support. In order to sound more English, the Royal family changed their name to Windsor. The video demonstrates the change of the royals in personality and with their personal duties from the time of George V to present. All the way to Queen Elizabeth, the royal family has made their country their top priority. However the newer generations have played different roles by their personal scandals and are becoming more like Hollywood celebrities rather than being leaders. In May 1935, George V celebrated 25 years on the throne. During that time the royal family represented the ideal picture of a Britain and made their people feel proud of their heritage. An example is King George V and how he led Britain through WWI, when other monarchs elsewhere failed. George V soon represented what ever Britain wanted to be. George V was not even supposed to be King, his older brother Eddie was to take the throne. Unfortunately Eddie was not smart at all, and he had many sex scandals. Eddie passed away, and George took the throne along with his brother's fiance. Prudence, loyalty and discipline are the three characteristics that George pushed as important British traits. Almost all monarchs during this time were related in some form, and even these family ties could not stop the war that broke out between England and Germany. In 1917 people began to claim that King George was a German. As mentioned above, George changed the family's last name to Windsor so that their loyalty to Britain would not be questioned. July 1917 was when the proclamation of the house to be known as the house of Windsor. After this, Russia and Britain became very close due to Russia's help in the war. King George ruined this relationship by not allowing the Czar's family to seek refuge in Britain, and due to his decision, the Czar's family was soon captured and all shot. This is when Britain started to go through a rough time and troops had to keep the peace. George V used the crown to strengthen Great Britain. The Exhibition was a success in promoting the empire. George V made news reels to show the public that they were just like the middle class, but this idea did not work. Winter of 1925, Queen Victoria died. Due to George's fear of his own father, he felt like that should be the way it was between him and his own son. Queen Mary was not very
lovable either and did not go out of her way to love her children.Prince of Wales was then sent out to strengthen relations with the crown. He had "star" quality unlike his father. But even though he was doing well, he was actually very depressed. The King soon fell ill and the Prince was urged home. During this time, the King tried to push people and political parties together. In 1932 the King had his first radio broadcast. Due to the King having two shots, one filled with cocaine and the other with morphine, he soon passed away. This was unreported for 50 years. Many were worried about the Prince of Wales taking over, and this pitted brother against brother in the fight for the throne.
PBS, Elizabeth R (filmed in 1991)
African leader, due to make an official visit, is deposed and replaced. Marginal by-elections in Scotland linked to official visit New PM is an old college chum of "Charlie", the new leader. On sleeper train to Scotland, Minister is presented with advance copy of speech radical left, anti-colonial language, inflammatory for Scots Sir Humphrey presents possible options, up to gunboats and declaration of war Jim and Sir Humphrey try to persuade Charlie to alter speech He asks for L50 M in loans to buy oil rigs built on Clyde in western Scotland Everyone has his price.
first question refers to Scott Report, on secretly approved private arms sales to Iraq in years before Gulf War [Matrox Churchill sold arms with connivance of ministers, embarassed when UK went ot war with Iraq] [issue of ministerial responsibility] Tony Blair, as leader of Opposition Scott: ministers agreed to sell non-lethal equipment to Iraq and keep quiet about change in guidelines Para 442: ministers breached duty of ministerial accountabiility to P by not informing the House Major quotes Report that jobs were the reason given for secrecy Blair: must hold ministers to account -- Report set up by PM himself [1992] -- or Conservatives will remain "knee deep in dishonour" Labour, previously, "policy of the nation not to reveal supplying arms to other countries" Major: If he had a shred of honesty himself, would admit charges untrue and withdrawn Major: British guidelines were stricter than other countries Ashdown: ministers criticized but allowed to hold on to their jobs Major: whole report shows charges have been laid to rest. Question on social chapter of EU [unemployment benefits and restrictions on firing] Major: was himself first voluntarily to publish guidelines Major: recent bombs in last ten days should not recent sympathy even in Ulster Major: no other country in Europe has lower unemployment than ours.
Bhoutros Ghali, Sec. Gen. of UN, criticized on UN inefficiency -- Major calls for greater efficiency in UN bodies Major: Scott Report's main charges were not confirmed, minister responsible will lead debate, not the PM Blair: was P misled, and are mins to blame? Does PM accept P was misled? Major: Scott found Saddam Hussein was not armed and improper certificates were not issued. No minister intentionally misled P. Major: no intention whatsoever to mislead P. Blair: PM walks away from key findings. Textbook case of Majorism. Govt unable to distinguish between true and false. Major: Opposition have blackguarded the government, to find deceit when there was none. Major: social chapter would cost growth, unemployment -- no intention of making those mistakes Labour: Scott found AG resonsible for for keeping Public Interest Immunity Certificate from defense. PM: PIIC was given to judge and then disclosed to defense. Govt's policies of investment Labour: why scared of allowing Commons vote on future of two ministers? PM: some shortcomings but confidence in two colleagues Scott later remarks his comments have been taken selectively by ministers.
all night session with Press Sec, to find the words for a public emotional event took risk with emotional delivery, "People's Princess", untraditional gave good advice to Queen to override tradition in half-mast Royal standard Stan Greenberg, pollster: Blair approval reached 80% after this
"New Dawn has broken" victory speech
Married Cherie Booth, also a lawyer -- unclear which would enter politics first. 1979 Blair's first, failed campaign for Parliament -- Labour at low ebb civil war between radicals and moderates like Kinnock, Blair and Brown Kinnock: Labour experience of having to squash militants to preserve the party's credibility Blair: "Labour is the party of Law and Order in Britain today" Cherie actually tried to persuade Blair to run for leader. Brown valuable partner, Blair was number two in early years to him Restaurant deal (1993?): Blair to run for leader first, but giving Brown economic and other portfolios rebranded party as New Labour: responsible, middle of road, forward looking "shall not rest until the destinies of our people and our party are joined again" Hosue swap: Brown family moved into No.10 and larger Blair family into larger No. 11 apartment. Problem of managing large numbers of unvetted, lower-ranking MPS, elected afresh in landslide Promises: rebuild national health service and education system
fiscally conservative yet socially liberal, Clinton model. modernization of institutions of stuffy country.
-- done quickly, without discussion by cabinet Robin Butler, cab. sec. -- not even a cabinet meeting in time for decision
centralized control in No.10, impatient with pace of change same criticisms as with Mrs. Thatcher -- but he did not relish confrontations all things to all people: identifies with fish & chips in Co. Durham constituency -- but fancy food in trendy Islington
Daily grid in No.10 of media events President Clinton visited, facing scandal, helped out by Blair's endorsement
Christopher Meyer: priority on Northern Ireland -- unlike US presidents who had avoided it March 1998, Sen. Mitchell announced all party talks in NI, deadline of Good Friday Irish & Brit Govts, Sinn Fein and Prot leaders. David Trimble, Prot, forced crisis Blair flew to Ulster "feel hand of history upon our shoulders" -- to finish negotiations strong leadership of Blair with Prots and Bertie Ahern with Catholics brinkmanship, extracting concessions at last minute Blair asked Clinton to talk to Sinn Fein on demands for release of prisoners & reductions of arms Blair agreed to modify agreement later for Prots if decommissioning of arms did not proceed. Huge risk -- and huge success
warm, friendly photo ops to cover the split Blair tried to prevent Brown bringing staff to meetings with Blair Strategic Defence Review under attack at eleventh hour large budget cuts proposed suddenly Blair reluctant to confront Brown, felt PM and Chancellor had to get along.
Blair "want people's Europe" -- for Euro, but not without referendum Gordon Brown and Treasury opposed to Euro -- would not seek membership in 1999. Ashdown: Blair paradox of moral fervour in international affairs but not in domestic affairs
Brown immoveable -- so offered him more power in return for more power running country message sent via Clare Short -- but Brown felt Peter Mandelson -- fixer and thinker, but totally unable to work with Brown fired after campaign finance scandal, later acquitted, then fired again Blair able to shut out a close friend, but not to stand up to Brown aide, "dysfunctional marriage" between Blair and forceful Brown
Serbs renewed campaign of ethnic cleansing in former Yugoslavia "Daylight pounding" until Serbs capitulate, promised with Brit and US planes under NATO strong moral convictions of Blair poor country, cold winter, hard for refugees by spring 1999 Blair visited camp on Macedonian border, "our mission is clear: to make sure they return to homes" Threaten ground invasion in difficult terrain through Albania to Kosovo? But US opposed. April 21, 1999, Blair flew to Wash DC to talk with Clinton. Blair made case for plans for ground invasion. Speech for moral interventionism, proposal to insert Brit 50,000 troops -- and Russians told Serbs would not defend them. Clare Short: "Tony as tough and he was right" Ashdown: "astonishing" Meyer: "gave him great confidence for what was to come." Blair emerges as a leader Sierra Leone, next crisis, sent 1,000 paratroops [to intervene, rescued UN troops taken as hostages in gang crisis] beginning of Blair interest in African issues and poverty
progress elusive after two years abundance of vision but lack of interest in practical detail Blair's "gone" look during discussions of nitty gritty but unemployment down, peace made in NI and international Cool Britannia 2001 election: second landslide Short: Tony Blair much more in control in second term, never sure what direction but wanted to have one. Second term: new US President Camp David meeting with new President Bush -- quickly developed chemistry, sense of humour. shared faith
scheduled speech to TUC never delivered Blair instantly understood UK about to enter long war, his speech delivered hours before Bush's "perpetrated by fanatics" ... "democracies are going to have ..." Blair quick to visit US to offer support but also teh ensure moderation (Chris. Meyer) "when you in mourning you want to see your friends." -- Condi Rice Blair learned at dinner with Bush about plan to attack AQ in Afghanistan, but Iraq would be left to another day. Blair had launched air strikes with Clinton before -- but neocons in WH a new factor Blair had preached dangers of Saddam Hussein for some years -- a true believer. Blair 54 meetings with world leaders, 40,000 miles -- could reach those Bush could not reach, and faster because did not need large retinue ("footprint"). By Mid November, Taliban driven out of Kabul. High point of Blair's foreign policy -- but now pushing a more liberal international agenda
"re-order this world around us." Secretly Blair's aides were learning of US plans from their counterparts there. Problem of US plans not being thorough, US underestimating difficulties in Iraq Crawford TX meeting -- would assist US in Iraq, but only if Israeli-Palestinian issue dormant Disquiet with war with Iraq spread among allies -- and in UK, even among Labour leaders and Blair friends. Blair speech: Iraq presents a serious threat; innocents may die; we must live with consequences; "WMD program is not down; it is up and running now." Clare Short: Cabinet intelligence committee did not meet. On Blair's sofa, chats but not decisionmaking. Blair became unpopular -- his reaction was to wonder why they couldn't see his point of view. Blair as barrister, used to rational arguments, but not understanding emotional response. Blair held town meetings to listen to opposition -- aides called it "masochism strategy" Blair sought UN Resolution but Chirac held veto in UNSC, and relations strained. Chirac veteran of Algerian war -- understood problem better. Ashdown: Blair's charm powerful weapon but not so much as he thought March: PM under intense attack in Europe, said to Bush wanted regime change in Iraq, not London US offered to attack without UK troops, not needed for military victory but for international politics Blair insisted on continuing, having come that far. Suddenly Parliament became essential to policy, needed two day debate and to win a majority of Labour votes, not just Conservatives. Blair insisted on retaining line about appeasement of 1930s. Ashdown: Blair when in open-ended situation does not know which way to go -- but when backed to wall is magnificent. Parliamentary speech was his best -- won motion 412-149.
Blair admitted to Parliament 15 months later that WMD had not been found. Shattering to reputation, based on moral high ground. Greenberg: bond of trust broken. spring 2004, lowest ebb.
Competition in hospitals and schools to drive up standards Blair: charter schools and (others) have performed better -- but Brown disagreed with these reforms. Showdown over college tuition, previously only a nominal charge -- offended Labour over the working class students Education Sec Estelle Morris resigned because Brown & Blair deadlocked. Replacement Sec. Clarke found many last minute amendments from Brown forced upon him. 160 Lab backbenchers signed petition against top-up fees. Jan 2004 Commons debate -- needed to persuade Opposition parties and own Labour MPs. Won with Brown's support, only by 316-311. Blair announced resignation in advance -- a first -- to give Brown sense he would not stay indefinitely but then a lame duck, would limit himself to one more election won unprecedented 3rd victory 2001 for Labour -- but lower vote and lowest share for a victory ever. People merely willing to tolerate Labour and didn't fancy Conservatives. Flew to Singapore to support London's bid for Olympics. Returned to host Gleneagles summit of G8, victorious London bombings 7/7/05, triggered COBRA committee emergency plan -- during G8 summit PM had to return to London but summit would continue. Confronted with home-grown suicide bombing for first time. Blair's leadership a success -- but made UK seem less safe because of Iraq war. Terrorism prevention measures -- reduction of civil liberties. The Long Goodbye Brown supporters wanted a date of retirement 7 junior ministers resigned, attempted palace coup Blair agreed to leave by party conference, Sep. 2007 Blair served with eviction notice by own party Party Conference Brown praised Blair at conference -- longest relationship of PM and CH. in modern British history, and a privilege. Cherie overheard saying that's a lie. Blair laughed off -- "at least I don't have to worry about her running off with the bloke next door." Emotional party, attached to past, Tony brought us over a bridge to the 21st century Blair "You're the future now -- so make the most of it." Blair then questioned by police in party corruption case -- a first for PM Economy continued to grow, social confidence grew, historic settelment in NI, AFghan and Iraq wardd unresolved. July 2007 new PM. Blair re-made British political landscape Fatally undermined by tragedy of entering Iraq Ashdown: one of the best PMs, but fell short of greatness.