Give Vladimir Putin The Nobel Peace Prize, Says Former Labour Peer
The Huffington Post UK | Posted: 15/10/2013
A former Labour peer has nominated Vladimir Putin for the Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in the Syrian civil war - and he isn't joking.
Lord Truscott, who now sits as an independent in the House of Lords, told peers on Tuesday afternoon: "Many people would argue that the the Russian-led Syrian peace plan is the most significant peace plan this year. To recognise this and to encourage Russia in its peace making endeavours, a few hours ago I nominated President Putin for the Nobel Peace Prize."
Following disapproving mutters of surprise from around the chamber, he added: "Will Her Majesty's Government do the same?"
Lord Truscott was also obliged to remind peers that he is not quite a neutral observer. He is Putin's biographer. And the suggestion caught peers off-guard, given Russia's decision to arm the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Over 100,000 Syrians have died so far in the civil war.
Government spokesman and Lib Dem peer Lord Wallace of Saltaire, unsurprisingly, was not impressed. "This has been a joint US-Russian peace initiative. It is not a purely a Russian-led peace initiative. We welcome the constructive response which the Russian government is now making on Syria."
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http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/10/15/putin-peace-prize_n_4101147.html
