Blair: No reason to voice concern over Taliban detainees
British Prime Minister Tony Blair tonight said he had no reason to voice concerns over the treatment of Taliban and al-Qaida prisoners with President Bush during a telephone call between the two leaders.
‘‘I did not have to say that to him. We both agreed that of course people should be treated humanely,’’ the Prime Minister said.
Mr Blair said: ‘‘as far as I am aware’’ that was the case and both British and Red Cross representatives had been granted permission to visit them.
However, he also said: ‘‘I think it is important people remember one of the reasons security has had to be so strict and tight on those prisoners was because of the threat they pose.’’
Mr Blair suggested it was not certain that the prisoners would appear before controversial US military tribunals rather than courts.
‘‘We haven’t actually taken any decisions yet on the status of these prisoners or how they are going to be tried,’’ he said.
He denied Britain would be forced to fall into line behind the US on that or any other matter, although Americans obviously had a special role in bringing those responsible for September 11 to account.
‘‘I think it would be unfortunate if a strength this country has - which is our relationship with the United States of America, which I am proud of and think is important for the world - I think it would be unfortunate if journalists wanted to turn that into a weakness, because it is not. It is a strength,’’ he said.
Criticism that his trips overseas fell into the same camp, according to Mr Blair.
‘‘Of course I am passionate about improving the public services here,’’ he said.
‘‘But I also believe, for example, to have cancelled a visit to India and Pakistan which had been arranged for a long time at a time when those countries are in potential conflict with one another with all the consequences that would have for the world, for the state of the world’s economy and, therefore, for our own country would have been an odd way of proceeding.’’
