To Tony Blair – Medal of Freedom – from George Bush

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6th December, 2009

UPDATED, 13th January 2009: MR BLAIR HAS RECEIVED HIS MEDAL FROM PRESIDENT BUSH, AND I AM DELIGHTED FOR HIM

Blair, the US president said, would “stand tall in history” (see CNN video)

President Bush of Blair: ‘Out of office, but still in public life, Tony Blair remains a man of high intelligence and insight and above all a man of faith, idealism and integrity.’

After the 9/11 attacks, he said, Blair’s backing “wasn’t just on the phone line. When I stood in the House chamber to ask the civilised world to rally to freedom’s cause, there in the gallery was a staunch friend, prime minister Tony Blair.”

The award citation (more below) described Blair as “a powerful force for freedom and for building understanding between nations”.

“Tony Blair has been a powerful force of freedom and for building understanding among nations. As Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he was instrumental in helping millions of people secure their freedom in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone; forging a new era of peace in Northern Ireland, providing humanitarian assistance around the globe, especially in Africa, and strengthening the relationship between our two nations. Throughout his career, and in his role as Quartet Representative to the Middle East, he has worked to provide people with opportunities to better their lives.”

Remember when Blair spoke to Congress? Here’s a reminder. I was proud of him then, and I still am.
“Congratulations” says Tom Harris, MP – one of the sharpest of Tony’s former colleagues. I’d like to echo that – CONGRATULATIONS … CONGRATULATIONS … CONGRATULATIONS, MR BLAIR. (Now, when are you coming back?)

GAZA/ISRAEL: LISTEN TO TONY BLAIR (R4 ‘TODAY’ programme) ON THE TALKS OVER STOPPING THE VIOLENCE – “For anyone living in Gaza it’s hell.” He suggested there are circumstances in which we could get an immediate cease-fire – “If tunnels supplying arms and money to Hamas were sealed off.”

Last week:

BLAIR TO RECEIVE HIGHEST US HONOUR FROM BUSH

Politics UK says:
George Bush will award Tony Blair with the highest US honour possible for a civilian at a White House ceremony next week, it has been revealed.

Mr Blair, who served as UK prime minister for ten years from 1997, was one of the outgoing US president’s closest allies during his two terms.

Now envoy for the Middle East quartet, Mr Blair will receive the presidential medal of freedom in the White House’s East Room on January 13th.

It will be one of the last acts of Mr Bush’s administration, which officially ends a week later when Barack Obama is inaugurated.

Joining Mr Blair in being honoured are Colombian president Alvaro Uribe and former Australian premier John Howard.

“The president is honouring these leaders for their work to improve the lives of their citizens and for their efforts to promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad,” said White House spokesperson Dana Perino.

Mr Bush described Mr Blair as a ‘true friend of the United States’ this evening. Mr Blair ‘met historic challenges with great tenacity and provided a lasting example of statesmanship at home and abroad,' said the president. "Tony Blair's entire career is defined by his devotion to dignity," he said. ‘At his very centre, this man believes in freedom. Freedom from oppression, freedom from hunger, freedom from disease and freedom from fear and despair.’

Tony Blair, Australian former PM John Howard, and Colombian former President Alvaro Uribe all received the Freedom Medal on 12th January, 2009 from President Bush.

But before flying to Washington, Mr Blair said: ‘The award of this medal reflects the true courage of the men and women of the British armed forces who have safeguarded freedom, democracy and human rights around the globe, thanks to their heroic service and sacrifice.’

Sky News report:

The US President said the ex-Prime Minister had “met historic challenges with great tenacity and provided a lasting example of statesmanship at home and abroad”.

President Bush’s Medal of Freedom recipients

Times report – ‘All the world’s a stage for Tony’ – What? Wassamarawiyou!? I told you lot that here a year before he left!

The design below, according to The Independent, is the finished object of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Mr Blair in 2003 but not yet collected. It doesn’t, in my humble opinion do Mr Blair any favours. There is too much hair – it is too white – and he looks older than he has ever looked even in portraits in recent years. No wonder it has taken them some time to work on it. Blair was a young and dynamic leader, especially when he supported America in its battles. That youthful dynamism and energy was his essence then, and still is, to be fair, today.

Not really right yet. It captures an older Blair than even today’s man.

• Thanks to this site for congratulating Mr Blair – not British site, of course.
• ‘Time’ – photos of a Friendship – some of them are worth a look.

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