'War on terror' phrase unhelpful, UK tells US

[cal04]

Source: Guardian Unlimited

The international development secretary, Hilary Benn, will today reinforce Britain's opposition to the phrase "war on terror", using a speech in New York to warn that it can actually strengthen insurgent groups.

Mr Benn will tell a meeting at a New York-based thinktank that the phrase, coined by the Bush administration after September 11 2001, can assist small, disparate groups with varying ideals "by letting them feel part of something bigger".

In December, the foreign office instructed cabinet ministers to stop using the phrase, and sent out advice to UK diplomats around the world that it should be avoided.

However, US President George Bush continues to use the words regularly, opening a speech last month commemorating the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by describing its current government as "an ally in the war on terror".

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2058225,00.html

[Demeter]

1. Back Slowly Away From the Microphone, Mr.Benn

The time for such quibbling is long past. There are bigger fish to fry.

[DRoseDARs]

2. HOW DARE THE BRITS PLAY POLITICS WITH OUR SOLDIERS' LIVES...

...or something. :shrug:

[annabanana]

3. I have to agree with him. .

If we had delt with this radical wahabbi movement as criminal from the very beginning, there would now be far fewer of them to deal with, far more spread out and far less organized...

[rodeodance]

4. The problem is that the phase us OVERused and Abused for political

purposes.

[Rose Siding]

5. More or less "unhelpful" than invading Iraq, Mr Benn?

http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2003-03-18&number=118&mpn=Hilary_Benn&mpc=Leeds+Central

And Hilary Benn MP (Leeds Central) voted Aye.

The MPs understood that those voting Aye on this motion were giving their Parliamentary authority for the British army to participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq which began two days later.

Very strongly for the Iraq war. votes, speeches
Very strongly against investigating the Iraq war. votes, speeches
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/hilary_benn/leeds_central

It's a stupid, short sighted term. Right in line with the stupid, short sighted invasion.

[raccoon]

6. Unhelpful and meaningless. K&R. nt

[Thor_MN]

7. DId Mr. Benn just accuse * of aiding terrorists?

'Mr Benn will tell a meeting at a New York-based thinktank that the phrase, coined by the Bush administration after September 11 2001, can assist small, disparate groups with varying ideals "by letting them feel part of something bigger".'

Given the Republics constant use of the phrase, they are assisting terrorist's self image...

[Orsino]

8. So's the 'war' itself. n/t