Tony Blair on Middle East anger against America

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Good morning -- the money.

Our president to sit -- those things that are happening over there just bumps in the road around me says we're talking about to have people time here they're not responsible.

-- -- -- big setback.

And but on the other hand.

I do actually think it's important to emphasize that -- a lot of thousands of people came out on the streets in in Libya then to protest against the killing -- in favor of much in favor of America so.

You know I think all over the region what I see and I've just come back -- my.

-- visit since leaving office to -- to the Middle East.

All over the reaching the -- -- at least two forces struggling against each other one is one is basically people who Malden in their attitudes an open mind and won an open society.

And the other based based themselves very much -- that in view of religion want to take that side he's back.

And -- and struggle all the time and you said that that other group tends to be armed as opposed to the people who are modernize sets the sad and frustrating part for us yet -- that the real problem is that you -- you've got kind of three elements jostling together in the middle east of that and you've got regimes that have been empower a long time.

They provided a certain sort of stability except they don't -- The second group up people who I would cold you know you'll open minded mean a -- types of people who believe in pluralistic and open societies.

They on hubris the badly organized and then you've got you'll radical islamists who are numerous and very well organized and unfortunately that full.

-- unit is going to take a significant amount of time before the second group actually comes through and and and takes posture.

It's interesting mr.

prime minister because if you look to the polls 34 weeks ago most Americans didn't care about foreign policy in this election cycle.

It's interesting how politics changes on time and mean and now you have this in in the forefront.

Now we have the United Nations General Assembly happened happening and the president is aside he's not gonna have -- v.'s face to face meetings with world leaders last year you had thirteen.

Is there a difference when you are a leader of a country in a phone conversation -- in face to face meeting with another leader.

Yeah but I think -- -- we thank you and we kids I mean.

I used to attend the UN week every -- -- pretty much is it festivities.

Well it's it.

It's a necessary thing to get try to cut output this diplomatic up probably and putting it on diplomatically.

-- I didn't think I think what what matters frankly these.

Where America it is in the in the world today -- you know.

I always say this to people but he's eating in in America you see these pictures of people -- the flag and out on the street can sell.

You just -- to understand that.

There is another side to all of that which is actually people who admire America respect to dozens and needed to be strong and and you know I was eight to people in America.

That worries much about being loved just be strong surely he knew what was said that he wrote that you book America's big weaknesses we want to be liked we will never be like -- world would like that unit will prefer to be like that and it's not the way it happens -- but but just it just to follow up on it.

-- second we're watching that happen.

And -- wondering if for projecting as a country and you've been there's so many times but we projecting a vulnerability and weakness today.

As opposed to in the recent.

I don't believe set myself I mean I think most people understand Americans -- basics.

No I don't think they they they do things but I think.

Where is it before in -- way they will kind of waiting for us to shake that societies.

In a sentence because of all these revolutions that are going on this tumble right across the region that -- have to -- there and that's sure appointed the United Nations General Assembly unless it's for.

Leaders that they weren't just -- -- -- Kinect.

I am yeah.

Prime minister because the US taxpayers.

Support the UN more than any other country have millions and millions of dollars so what's the point of having this general assembly for two weeks unless foreign leaders are gonna get together.

It's good for the whole house had it well ahead.

It is also to get it gives a friendly gives people an opportunity they'll come to various meeting say you've got to Clinton Global Initiative that takes place it around it you know.

Would I even look at my own position what I'm doing here this week you know I'll be able to to see seven people out why wouldn't -- And it's like Oscar but yet -- -- it like it's you it's good to have you one of the reasons we even talk about you know they're doing.

They're having phone consultations is because a couple of weeks ago apparently.

You know that a country of Israel's called our State Department said mr.

Netanyahu would like to get together with the president while in town.

And that.

Meeting never happened apparently the White House declined even though mr.

Netanyahu sent -- anyplace you know I'm not coming until after yeah yeah I -- our data about that you'll want to stick but it's very clear that the country of Israel just need the high sign from the United States okay what line does.

Iran have to cross.

Before it's -- to take military action.

Right and I think that line that's America's -- -- -- which is to say Iran with a nuclear weapon is unacceptable is correct and you go to.

Stick by -- -- really is wrong well the meter is running.

The meter is running and -- -- eighths and you see from the speech that Ahmadinejad the president of Romney yesterday I mean they -- not.

You know they have an -- that position and -- on Israel and I don't really think on nuclear weapons.

Acquisitions so.

We've got to say it and mean it but I'd.

Do believe would mean sanctions aren't working would you -- sanctions.

Could work in the negotiations.

Could -- but they only what can circumstances -- -- -- so well.

The anywhere can circumstances where Iran knows that if if it's not possible to stop them through those means that all the options remain on the table and -- that that message is being given.

By you'll president by a button my successors British prime minister and oddly people do mean it by the way and I think the single biggest danger fact is that the Iranians don't.

Does that we do need it well they apparently are -- -- away from developing nuclear weapon do you believe that.

It's incredibly hard to judge but I think what is clear is that they move towards this ambition all the time and so far they have not.

You know they're not succeeded to -- from a so so who and that this is -- so important to be on some why this is a problem for me it's problem.

Not just for Israel my views of problem for the the whole world because if you do get Iran with a nuclear device festival you've -- -- highly.

-- state -- points irrational regimes nuclear weapons.

But secondly you will spot golf a nuclear arms race that absolutely we thank you very much mr.

prime minister for -- -- to pick your brain today.

Tony sentiment is -- to have.

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Tony Blair on Middle East anger against America

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