TUTU SENDS BLAIR A POIGNANT MESSAGE

August 28, 2012

When one of the wisest men on earth refuses to associate with you, should take note. Most people would. But no, not you Tony Blair. You fight back with your empty words and carry on, undaunted.

Nobel Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu has pulled out of the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit that is due to be held on 30 August 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa, because he feels it would be inappropriate for him to appear on the same platform with the former British Prime Minister, who with George W. Bush, was responsible for the illegal invasion of Iraq.

Archbishop Tutu with the Dalai Lama in 2004

The summit aims to bring some of the most accomplished individuals in business and leadership together so that they may share their insight and expertise. Speakers at past events have included Al Gore, Sir Richard Branson and Chris Anderson. This year's theme will be Leadership and will see visionaries like Sir Terry Leahy and Garry Kasparov on the podium.

Archbishop Tutu's Office explained his motives for pulling out in no uncertain terms:

"Ultimately, the archbishop is of the view that Mr Blair's decision to support the United States' military invasion of Iraq, on the basis of unproven allegations of the existence in Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, was morally indefensible.

"The Discovery Invest Leadership Summit has leadership as its theme. Morality and leadership are indivisible.

"In this context, it would be inappropriate and untenable for the archbishop to share a platform with Mr Blair."

Ouch!

And how did Tony Blare's office respond?

First it was pointed out that they were not actually going to be "sharing a platform". Very literal, for someone who is usually so apt at stretching words. I do not think that the Archbishop meant that he would be sitting on your lap, Mr Blair!

Next came a typical Blairism: "disagreement is part of a healthy democracy." Wonderful! That's it then. No such thing as right and wrong. Only healthy disagreement. One might as well say: "I'm terribly sorry if you disapprove of my decision to obliterate half the world. I quite understand. Our disagreement is a testimony to the robustness of our democracy... We should be proud!"

But his last point is the best:

"As for the morality of that decision we have recently had both the memorial of the Halabja massacre where thousands of people were murdered in one day by Saddam's use of chemical weapons; and that of the Iran-Iraq war where casualties numbered up to a million including many killed by chemical weapons.

"So these decisions are never easy morally or politically."

I say, Mr Blair, where were you when those atrocities were being committed? Sipping your tea while watching Coronation Street? The Halabja massacre was in 1988: you blitzed Iraq in 2003. Yes 2003, after you had made sure you lured it into a state of disarmament first. And what a fine message you have given to other national leaders! Is it any wonder why the likes of North Korea and Iran are ignoring calls to disarm?

This said, Archbishop Tutu's decision does not tarnish the other attendees, nor does it question their motives. He has made his point and others may wish to make theirs in other ways. No one, for instance, could doubt the integrity of the great Garry Kasparov, whose passion for justice saw him arrested, once again, on August 17, 2012. Who knows: he may even inspire Tony Blair...

Kasparov, with raised hand, protesting in Saint Petersburg on June, 9 2007.