1 00:00:03,170 --> 00:00:06,349 [Music] 2 00:00:13,519 --> 00:00:17,519 three I 3 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:40,719 welcome to Sputnik orbiting the world 4 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:42,559 with me George Galloway and me gri that 5 00:00:40,719 --> 00:00:44,960 champion of other people's freedom 6 00:00:42,559 --> 00:00:47,120 President Barack Obama whose regime is 7 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:49,120 currently gunning down its own people 8 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:51,199 especially if they're black ran for 9 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:53,719 office with a pledge to shut down 10 00:00:51,199 --> 00:00:57,359 Guantanamo Bay the United States own 11 00:00:53,719 --> 00:00:59,960 Gulag in an occupied corner of Cuba six 12 00:00:57,359 --> 00:01:02,519 years on it's still there and being EXP 13 00:00:59,960 --> 00:01:04,280 expanded at Great public expense 14 00:01:02,519 --> 00:01:06,600 widespread torture physical and 15 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:09,479 psychological Force feeding a legal 16 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:11,880 black hole GMO is a spot which will not 17 00:01:09,479 --> 00:01:14,240 out for the land of the free home of the 18 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:16,720 brave for Obama it will be yet another 19 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:19,680 sign of a presidency which sank in 20 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:22,960 disgrace Shaker Amar is the last British 21 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:24,920 hostage held by our closest Ally in the 22 00:01:22,960 --> 00:01:26,560 cages of Guantanamo even though the 23 00:01:24,920 --> 00:01:29,200 British government has demanded his 24 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:32,399 release and consecutive us governments 25 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:35,640 have ConEd that he has no case to answer 26 00:01:32,399 --> 00:01:38,640 and yet 12 years and 9 months later he's 27 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:41,560 still there we're joined today by two 28 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:44,520 remarkable campaigners fighting for him 29 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:47,399 to come home before he dies at the hands 30 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:50,479 of President Obama Joan McKinnis and 31 00:01:47,399 --> 00:01:53,000 Andy wton welcome to the Sputnik but 32 00:01:50,479 --> 00:01:55,240 before I talk to you let's see what 33 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:57,680 happened when gatri talked to some 34 00:01:55,240 --> 00:02:00,740 rather important members of the public 35 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:15,720 outside Parliament this week oh 36 00:02:00,740 --> 00:02:19,360 [Music] 37 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:22,920 oh it's so outrageous that sha amama has 38 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:26,160 been in Guantanamo Bay for over 12 years 39 00:02:22,920 --> 00:02:28,000 without charge or trial that is 40 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:32,120 completely against the principles of 41 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:34,239 Justice even George Bush cleared Shaker 42 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:36,160 for release yet the British government 43 00:02:34,239 --> 00:02:38,239 and the American government today have 44 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:41,879 failed to get him freed is in his 45 00:02:38,239 --> 00:02:44,720 testimony he he he spoke um long and 46 00:02:41,879 --> 00:02:46,519 passionately about how he was locked in 47 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:47,480 rooms in the Middle East with people 48 00:02:46,519 --> 00:02:50,560 from 49 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:52,440 MI5 uh if not beating him over the head 50 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,280 with baseball bats themselves but 51 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:58,319 witnessing it and writing it down and 52 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:59,840 making certain that you know that he was 53 00:02:58,319 --> 00:03:04,640 severely tortured 54 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:07,840 [Music] 55 00:03:04,640 --> 00:03:10,000 I suspect the real reason he hasn't been 56 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:12,360 released is because the British and 57 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:15,519 American authorities are afraid that if 58 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:18,120 he does get free he'll reveal the high 59 00:03:15,519 --> 00:03:21,720 level collusion uh of the British 60 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:24,599 Security Services um with various you 61 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:27,200 know unknown things that they don't want 62 00:03:24,599 --> 00:03:29,799 the world to know so there is a 63 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:32,480 complicity in the secret Services of the 64 00:03:29,799 --> 00:03:35,840 United Kingdom which they don't want to 65 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:39,040 they do not want him to be able to speak 66 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:40,120 about when he's free and believe you me 67 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,480 he 68 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:44,080 will I've you know I've read this guy's 69 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:47,170 letter you only have to read the letter 70 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:49,040 to know what is he's got the Heart of a 71 00:03:47,170 --> 00:03:52,000 [Music] 72 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:55,680 Lion well done you for the star power 73 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:57,000 you assembled there on that uh protest 74 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:59,400 uh we'll come to the campaign in a 75 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:01,439 minute but first of all tell the viewers 76 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:03,640 what a exactly did shakar Amar do to 77 00:04:01,439 --> 00:04:06,280 deserve all of this well you know he was 78 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:09,040 in Afghanistan when the uh United States 79 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:11,799 was rounding people up to puss in 80 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:13,720 Guantanamo um so you know like many of 81 00:04:11,799 --> 00:04:16,280 the people who were in Afghanistan he 82 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:18,079 says he was there for humanitarian Aid 83 00:04:16,280 --> 00:04:20,079 um the United States has not presented 84 00:04:18,079 --> 00:04:22,280 anything that looks like evidence to 85 00:04:20,079 --> 00:04:24,160 suggest that that's not the case uh we 86 00:04:22,280 --> 00:04:26,360 launched this on Monday the 24th of 87 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:28,600 November the 13th anniversary of when he 88 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:30,720 was apparently captured by bounty 89 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:32,560 hunters and he ended up being handed 90 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:34,560 around a bit and was then sold onto the 91 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:36,560 United States who shipped him with all 92 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:38,160 these other people to Guantanamo where 93 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,919 they said to the world brazenly these 94 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,360 people are the worst of the worst but 95 00:04:39,919 --> 00:04:44,199 actually behind the scenes they had no 96 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:47,039 idea who they'd mostly bought no it's 97 00:04:44,199 --> 00:04:50,440 amazing that even George Bush cleared 98 00:04:47,039 --> 00:04:52,880 him for release but he's still here uh 99 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:55,400 in Guantanamo six years into Barack 100 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:57,600 Obama's presidency how does that happen 101 00:04:55,400 --> 00:05:00,479 well that of course is the key question 102 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:02,840 George why why is that the case 103 00:05:00,479 --> 00:05:04,680 um he was approved for for release out 104 00:05:02,840 --> 00:05:06,280 the prison as you say by a military 105 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:08,000 review board under President Bush or 106 00:05:06,280 --> 00:05:09,400 actually he was told that they didn't 107 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:11,280 want to hold him there isn't paperwork 108 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:13,199 for that but there are the documents 109 00:05:11,280 --> 00:05:14,520 under President Obama who had a 110 00:05:13,199 --> 00:05:16,880 comprehensive review of all the 111 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:19,520 prisoners he'd inherited from George W 112 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:20,800 bush um in which he is one of the 113 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:23,440 prisoners that they don't want to carry 114 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:25,479 on holding so he's still there now in 115 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:27,199 the majority of the cases of prisoners 116 00:05:25,479 --> 00:05:29,240 you know Barack Obama has been up in a 117 00:05:27,199 --> 00:05:30,880 battle against Congress Congress has 118 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:33,080 raised all kinds of obstacles to the 119 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:34,919 release of prisoners generally saying to 120 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,680 him we don't trust the kind of home 121 00:05:34,919 --> 00:05:38,000 countries that these guys are from we 122 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:39,960 don't think you should be sending them 123 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:41,280 back and throughout all of this George 124 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:43,440 you know they can't make a case about 125 00:05:41,280 --> 00:05:46,000 the United Kingdom being a dangerous 126 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:47,720 country to send somebody back to clearly 127 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,919 their closest Ally would be able to 128 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:51,800 monitor Shaka armor should that be the 129 00:05:49,919 --> 00:05:55,039 case so it's it's inexplicable there 130 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:57,440 must be some reason some other reason 131 00:05:55,039 --> 00:05:59,680 Joan I said in the introduction that the 132 00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:01,440 British government was demanding his 133 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:03,919 released but they can't be demanding it 134 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:05,759 very loudly or very forcefully because 135 00:06:03,919 --> 00:06:08,680 David Cameron would just need to pick up 136 00:06:05,759 --> 00:06:12,000 the phone and say on the phone bring him 137 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:13,520 home it just just why not and they if 138 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:15,599 you write to the foreign office you 139 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:18,240 write that they say oh he's cleared for 140 00:06:15,599 --> 00:06:20,479 release um we're doing everything we can 141 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:22,840 but how can that be possible how can 142 00:06:20,479 --> 00:06:26,479 self-evidently not true because Britain 143 00:06:22,840 --> 00:06:28,880 is the so-called closest Ally if it 144 00:06:26,479 --> 00:06:31,560 really was damaging relations between 145 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:33,520 Britain and the United States the US 146 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:36,880 would send him back he's been cleared 147 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:39,720 for release uh he's one guy he would be 148 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:41,400 being sent to a country as Andy says 149 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:43,120 that where he would certainly be 150 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:46,080 monitored 151 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:47,919 247 so what is the local Member of 152 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:50,479 Parliament tell you how hard are they 153 00:06:47,919 --> 00:06:52,520 trying well my local Member of 154 00:06:50,479 --> 00:06:54,800 Parliament has um is Andy Slaughter and 155 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:56,879 he stood with our giant inflatable that 156 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:59,919 we had made for our campaign called we 157 00:06:56,879 --> 00:07:02,599 Stan mashaka so he's actually um been 158 00:06:59,919 --> 00:07:05,560 quite proactive what about Shaker's MP 159 00:07:02,599 --> 00:07:08,319 Jane Ellison well she's uh a minister so 160 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:10,160 her line is that she can't as a minister 161 00:07:08,319 --> 00:07:12,080 stand yeah I mean she was you know she 162 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,759 was making representations on shaka's 163 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,240 behalf and then she's now been coopted 164 00:07:13,759 --> 00:07:17,280 into the government so that's kind of 165 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,599 removed the ability to do that but I 166 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:20,440 think George it's at the it's at the 167 00:07:18,599 --> 00:07:22,120 highest level I mean really this is this 168 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:25,680 is something for David Cameron to deal 169 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:27,000 with um and and the excuses when you 170 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:29,039 when you look at it obviously we know 171 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:30,360 shakar armor is an eloquent man who 172 00:07:29,039 --> 00:07:31,599 knows a lot about things that have 173 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:33,960 happened what's his background what was 174 00:07:31,599 --> 00:07:36,120 he he W he well he came to Britain in 175 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:38,240 the '90s he's got a British wife British 176 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:40,720 kids I believe that he was working on 177 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:41,879 translation stuff legal documents he's 178 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:43,800 always been somebody that people have 179 00:07:41,879 --> 00:07:45,560 said went out of his way to help other 180 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:48,479 people you know that's that's why he was 181 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:49,720 in Afghanistan but he he knows a lot so 182 00:07:48,479 --> 00:07:51,879 we understand that it would be 183 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:52,960 embarrassing for him to be released but 184 00:07:51,879 --> 00:07:55,280 both the British and the American 185 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:56,960 governments have proved very Adept over 186 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:58,319 all these years of the war on terror of 187 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:00,120 not being held accountable in any 188 00:07:58,319 --> 00:08:01,400 courtroom for what they've been doing so 189 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:05,159 it's a question of embarrass they've 190 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:07,039 made a judicious use of uh hush money to 191 00:08:05,159 --> 00:08:08,840 a variety of people around the world in 192 00:08:07,039 --> 00:08:10,960 this country in in the States President 193 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:13,280 Obama has you know has made sure that 194 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:16,159 that that no alleged V torture victim 195 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:18,520 has got anywhere near a courtroom um but 196 00:08:16,159 --> 00:08:21,319 you know with with with Shaka armor you 197 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:24,360 you we just we end up hitting this brick 198 00:08:21,319 --> 00:08:25,759 wall where no one they bounce it from 199 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:27,199 one side to another the British are 200 00:08:25,759 --> 00:08:29,080 particularly good at bouncing it back 201 00:08:27,199 --> 00:08:31,599 and saying this is the Americans problem 202 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:33,800 now what what we think and I I don't 203 00:08:31,599 --> 00:08:36,000 think this is very clear publicly but 204 00:08:33,800 --> 00:08:39,760 what's been discussed over the years and 205 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:41,800 Shaka spoke about it years ago um if he 206 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:44,120 could be sent back to Saudi Arabia which 207 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:46,200 is what which is what it appears the the 208 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:48,600 United States wants to do then he 209 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:50,800 wouldn't be able to talk now you know it 210 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:52,839 may very well be George that the United 211 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,680 Kingdom government would be quite happy 212 00:08:52,839 --> 00:08:56,120 for that to happen should that be 213 00:08:54,680 --> 00:08:58,240 possible but the thing that I think we 214 00:08:56,120 --> 00:09:00,760 have an obligation to do in Britain is 215 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:02,680 to say you can't do that no he was he 216 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:05,279 was a British resident he has a British 217 00:09:02,680 --> 00:09:08,680 wife and British children how are they 218 00:09:05,279 --> 00:09:11,480 standing up to 12 years n months 219 00:09:08,680 --> 00:09:13,120 apparently not so well um they don't get 220 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:14,519 involved very much with the campaign 221 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:16,200 they're trying to live their lives but 222 00:09:14,519 --> 00:09:18,240 his youngest child is never met his 223 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:20,839 youngest child was born on the day that 224 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:22,519 uh Shaka was sent to Guantanamo so tell 225 00:09:20,839 --> 00:09:24,440 us about this campaign we've got this 226 00:09:22,519 --> 00:09:26,079 for now which I'll show you this is our 227 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:28,240 we stand with Shaka 228 00:09:26,079 --> 00:09:32,120 campaign and what we're asking we've 229 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:34,079 asked all sorts of um MPS George and and 230 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:37,560 many others representing all the parties 231 00:09:34,079 --> 00:09:39,079 to stand with this inflatable for um we 232 00:09:37,560 --> 00:09:40,560 stand with shacker campaign I've done it 233 00:09:39,079 --> 00:09:42,079 already yeah you've done it we've got a 234 00:09:40,560 --> 00:09:43,680 great picture and we've tweeted you and 235 00:09:42,079 --> 00:09:45,480 that went well so we're tweeting we're 236 00:09:43,680 --> 00:09:48,240 putting these pictures on Facebook and 237 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:50,160 journalists and actors and comedians 238 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:52,760 people who have a profile who who are 239 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:55,480 prepared to stand go light on the MPS 240 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:57,399 and heavy are on well with the election 241 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,839 coming up we're really urging people and 242 00:09:57,399 --> 00:10:00,839 we're going to take pictures of 243 00:09:58,839 --> 00:10:03,200 candidates who are running so make it 244 00:10:00,839 --> 00:10:05,240 you know have you stood with Shaker so 245 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:08,320 considering he's been incarcerated for 246 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:10,440 12 years under severe torture are people 247 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:12,560 surprised to see him smiling on on that 248 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:15,760 giant inflatable yeah the reason he 249 00:10:12,560 --> 00:10:17,440 smiles is because uh in his two pictures 250 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:20,200 is there just two since he's been in 251 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:22,279 guantan he smiles in both of them for 252 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:24,760 the sake of his children and family he 253 00:10:22,279 --> 00:10:26,800 doesn't want to look you know just he's 254 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:28,519 got a and I think I think it shows his 255 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:30,640 resilience as well I mean this is a man 256 00:10:28,519 --> 00:10:32,519 who hasn't who well Roger Waters 257 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:35,079 described him as having the Heart of a 258 00:10:32,519 --> 00:10:37,639 Lion which may be the clue to why he's 259 00:10:35,079 --> 00:10:39,480 not uh yet back because you know we 260 00:10:37,639 --> 00:10:41,760 shouldn't underestimate also that you 261 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:43,920 know that he's very ill in a lot of ways 262 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:46,440 his lawyers managed to get a judge last 263 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:49,440 year to order the government to allow an 264 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:52,800 independent um medical expert to examine 265 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:55,760 him um and you know he has a list of of 266 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:59,600 of physical and mental ailment is he 267 00:10:55,760 --> 00:11:01,160 alone is he in solitary yeah as far as I 268 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:04,000 understand George he spends most of his 269 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:06,839 time in solitary they they they they 270 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:09,120 don't allow out prisoners like Shaker 271 00:11:06,839 --> 00:11:11,200 who when they're allowed to mix with the 272 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:13,000 other well- behaved prisoners start 273 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,920 agitating for the prisoner's rights he's 274 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:18,480 not the only one he's certainly the most 275 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:22,839 high profile one there have been 276 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:28,800 790 or so uh inmates there are now what 277 00:11:22,839 --> 00:11:30,680 10 142 now 142 73 of which the US 278 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:33,720 government has said they they don't wish 279 00:11:30,680 --> 00:11:36,279 to hold anymore yeah one of whom is 280 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:38,800 Shaka yeah so what's the prospects 281 00:11:36,279 --> 00:11:40,680 what's your realistic expectation and 282 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:42,839 how can viewers of Sputnik help your 283 00:11:40,680 --> 00:11:45,000 campaign well well certainly you know 284 00:11:42,839 --> 00:11:47,040 come come and visit our website and um 285 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:49,880 and follow the the links that we have to 286 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:52,000 write to our leaders in the UK to write 287 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:54,560 to the American government send in 288 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:56,360 photos in support of us holding up signs 289 00:11:54,560 --> 00:11:58,079 that say I stand with Shaka or we stand 290 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,800 with Shaka and let's try and build this 291 00:11:58,079 --> 00:12:01,240 up into a very very big big public 292 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:03,000 campaign those are the things that we 293 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:05,480 can do I think you know I think we need 294 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:07,279 to take heart in some ways because 295 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:08,560 President Obama made this bold promise 296 00:12:07,279 --> 00:12:10,519 then failed to keep it that he was going 297 00:12:08,560 --> 00:12:12,800 to close Guantanamo within a year he's 298 00:12:10,519 --> 00:12:14,800 now got two years left and he knows that 299 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:17,399 his legacy you know is going to be 300 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:19,040 tainted by a failed promise there are 301 00:12:17,399 --> 00:12:21,040 clearly people in his administration who 302 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:22,440 don't care about gu Guantanamo there are 303 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,959 other people in his administration who 304 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,800 say we need to deal with this for the 305 00:12:23,959 --> 00:12:27,279 reasons that he always says when he 306 00:12:25,800 --> 00:12:28,839 talks about it publicly that it's 307 00:12:27,279 --> 00:12:32,760 dangerous for the United States as well 308 00:12:28,839 --> 00:12:34,160 as sh ful so he's he's been releasing 309 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:36,079 quite a few prisoners at the moment 310 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:37,760 George and one of the things that was 311 00:12:36,079 --> 00:12:40,279 noticeable is that a Yemen and a 312 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:42,320 Tunisian who couldn't be returned home 313 00:12:40,279 --> 00:12:43,959 negotiations took place they found a new 314 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:44,880 home for these guys in a European 315 00:12:43,959 --> 00:12:47,600 country 316 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:50,120 Slovakia that rather sharpens the sense 317 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:52,160 of Injustice about Shaka Armor's case 318 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:55,279 that it really if if if prisoners are 319 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:57,760 going to be found new homes in European 320 00:12:55,279 --> 00:12:59,560 countries what about the far easier job 321 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:01,480 of the British government sending a 322 00:12:59,560 --> 00:13:03,399 plane David Cameron sending a plane to 323 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:05,720 guantan and saying while you're at it 324 00:13:03,399 --> 00:13:08,040 let's have our guy back yeah let's have 325 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:09,680 him back for his birthday December 21st 326 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:13,480 yes let's do that that might be a tall 327 00:13:09,680 --> 00:13:15,680 order uh but uh certainly in an election 328 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:17,399 year yeah we really got to push hard 329 00:13:15,680 --> 00:13:19,480 we've got to push we've got to do it we 330 00:13:17,399 --> 00:13:21,399 need everybody's support for this well 331 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:23,519 you got Roger Waters of Pink Floyd 332 00:13:21,399 --> 00:13:26,480 that's uh some doing you must be great 333 00:13:23,519 --> 00:13:30,760 campaigners I must say coming up after 334 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:30,760 the break Tony Blair 335 00:13:31,270 --> 00:13:36,560 [Music] 336 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:39,000 welcome back to Sputnik Tony Blair who 337 00:13:36,560 --> 00:13:41,320 some say is responsible for the death 338 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:43,199 and mutilation of more children than any 339 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:45,920 British ruler in history and that would 340 00:13:43,199 --> 00:13:48,639 be saying something was last week on 341 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:51,279 International Children's Day given a 342 00:13:48,639 --> 00:13:54,800 global Legacy award by the save the 343 00:13:51,279 --> 00:13:56,560 children charity yes you have that right 344 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:58,399 as many of you know we are making the 345 00:13:56,560 --> 00:14:01,000 major crowd fund the documentary The 346 00:13:58,399 --> 00:14:02,959 Killing of ton Blair drawing a Finishing 347 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:05,320 Line however is proving difficult for 348 00:14:02,959 --> 00:14:08,000 the movie because for his critics Blair 349 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:10,839 is a gift which keeps on giving the 350 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:13,160 award May well ruin the once widely 351 00:14:10,839 --> 00:14:15,079 admired save the children fund their 352 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:18,600 staff around the world are in open 353 00:14:15,079 --> 00:14:20,920 revolt and 100,000 people and Rising 354 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:23,440 have signed the petition demanding the 355 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:25,720 resending of the award and many are now 356 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:28,000 calling for the sacking of the man many 357 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:31,199 feel must be responsible for this 358 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:33,120 grotesque blunder former Blair adviser 359 00:14:31,199 --> 00:14:36,800 now one of the chiefs of save the 360 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:38,360 children Justin fory to discuss how we 361 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:40,680 can keep up with the crimes and 362 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:43,600 misdemeanors of Tony Blair we're joined 363 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:46,560 by James Randolph associate producer of 364 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:48,000 the film The Killing of Tony Blair James 365 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:52,680 thanks for coming on board we'll talk 366 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:55,199 about Blair and the film in a minute but 367 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:56,959 this is a Gerald Ratner moment for Save 368 00:14:55,199 --> 00:15:00,480 the Children Gerald Ratner who once 369 00:14:56,959 --> 00:15:03,399 owned a chain of down Market Jewelers uh 370 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:04,720 by admitting in public on film that what 371 00:15:03,399 --> 00:15:08,440 he was selling 372 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:12,360 was he ruined his entire business and 373 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:14,360 it's no more it's an ex Jeweler uh why 374 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:17,959 would save the children fund widely 375 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:21,199 admired with royal patronage princess an 376 00:15:17,959 --> 00:15:24,240 multi multi-million pound uh 377 00:15:21,199 --> 00:15:26,480 organization take such a terrifying risk 378 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:29,839 as honoring Tony 379 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:33,079 Blair it beg his belief George um this 380 00:15:29,839 --> 00:15:35,199 is an absolutely utterly crazy moment 381 00:15:33,079 --> 00:15:39,000 for an organization is respected to save 382 00:15:35,199 --> 00:15:40,639 the children um looking closely at the 383 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:43,959 makeup of their board and of their 384 00:15:40,639 --> 00:15:45,519 trustees it doesn't really take a lot of 385 00:15:43,959 --> 00:15:48,040 detective work to work no you don't need 386 00:15:45,519 --> 00:15:51,079 to be Sherlock Holmes the the uh Justin 387 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:54,480 forite is one and Jonathan Powell is on 388 00:15:51,079 --> 00:15:57,519 the management uh board I could see why 389 00:15:54,480 --> 00:16:00,440 they'd want to honor Blair with chilcot 390 00:15:57,519 --> 00:16:02,959 coming up but they're the very people 391 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:05,120 who must have known how controversial 392 00:16:02,959 --> 00:16:07,040 such a move uh would be how did they 393 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:10,560 persuade the others to go along with it 394 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:13,959 well there's two ways of looking at this 395 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:16,759 um Blair has the The Sword of Damocles 396 00:16:13,959 --> 00:16:19,800 with chilot hanging over him he knows 397 00:16:16,759 --> 00:16:22,040 that he's read the report he knows what 398 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:23,440 sort of damage that he's in for it could 399 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:25,360 be that he's calling in favors with 400 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:28,440 friends it really could be just as 401 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:30,680 simple as that he's had the GQ Magazine 402 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:32,720 earlier this this year nomin 403 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:34,720 humanitarian of the year it's 404 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:36,720 Preposterous absolutely Preposterous you 405 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:38,639 couldn't make this stuff up no and that 406 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:41,880 again was a bit incestuous wasn't it 407 00:16:38,639 --> 00:16:46,279 because Alistar Campbell his chief spin 408 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:48,639 doctor had been editing GQ he he'd been 409 00:16:46,279 --> 00:16:50,480 their star writer their star interviewer 410 00:16:48,639 --> 00:16:52,399 everyone that any any has any 411 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:55,399 associations with GQ goes to aliser 412 00:16:52,399 --> 00:16:58,319 Campbell aliser Campbell conveniently 413 00:16:55,399 --> 00:17:00,000 has his best friend as a humanitarian of 414 00:16:58,319 --> 00:17:01,680 the year which is just absolutely 415 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:05,120 ridiculous I mean it but these people 416 00:17:01,680 --> 00:17:08,600 are supposed to be Wizards uh on the old 417 00:17:05,120 --> 00:17:11,959 spin doctoring this has actually uh been 418 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:14,839 a disaster for Blair because uh by being 419 00:17:11,959 --> 00:17:18,640 given this award and the backlash being 420 00:17:14,839 --> 00:17:21,799 so uh shattering potentially I'm not 421 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:23,280 joking potentially terminal for Save the 422 00:17:21,799 --> 00:17:25,199 Children sorry for all the people who 423 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:27,400 work there and all the good work that 424 00:17:25,199 --> 00:17:30,160 they've done but this is possibly 425 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:31,679 terminal and if that happens that's 426 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:34,919 another crime that will be added to 427 00:17:31,679 --> 00:17:37,960 Blair's charge sheet well Blair has uh 428 00:17:34,919 --> 00:17:40,840 has pulled in every favor he can um four 429 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:43,039 of the eight directors the senior 430 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:45,679 management team of save the children are 431 00:17:43,039 --> 00:17:48,080 former government stroke new labor 432 00:17:45,679 --> 00:17:50,000 stroke Blair acquaintances and friends 433 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:52,799 as you say Jonathan Powell his former 434 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:55,320 Chief of Staff is the is Is On The Board 435 00:17:52,799 --> 00:17:58,039 of Trustees to all intents and purposes 436 00:17:55,320 --> 00:18:00,960 this is a new labor takeover of a much 437 00:17:58,039 --> 00:18:03,159 respected long established organization 438 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:04,840 which they've compromised moving on from 439 00:18:03,159 --> 00:18:08,039 the Save the Children which is only the 440 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:10,600 latest of many um scandals erupting 441 00:18:08,039 --> 00:18:13,799 around Blair the one a couple of weeks 442 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:16,280 ago seems to me potentially one of the 443 00:18:13,799 --> 00:18:18,720 most damaging in the post Prime 444 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:23,159 ministerial era was revealed in the 445 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:26,120 Sunday Times Not only was he receiving 446 00:18:23,159 --> 00:18:29,280 more than £440,000 a month as a retainer 447 00:18:26,120 --> 00:18:34,120 from a Saudi Arabian oil company with a 448 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:38,440 2% commission rate uh Landing him on one 449 00:18:34,120 --> 00:18:41,120 deal alone potentially 20 million in 450 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:44,240 commission uh but that the 451 00:18:41,120 --> 00:18:48,120 contract said that almost to the point 452 00:18:44,240 --> 00:18:51,280 of swearing upon death no one must ever 453 00:18:48,120 --> 00:18:55,240 know that I Tony Blair am working for 454 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:59,559 you Mr Saudi Arabian Oil Company son of 455 00:18:55,240 --> 00:19:02,400 the Saudi king um this is in the film 456 00:18:59,559 --> 00:19:04,720 that we're all making together but it 457 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:06,840 illustrates the point gatri made that 458 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:07,840 it's difficult to keep up with all this 459 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:10,480 I mean you could have we could have 460 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:13,159 finished the film uh a month ago and 461 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:16,480 missed the Sunday Times and the save the 462 00:19:13,159 --> 00:19:18,720 children uh Scandal if we finish it now 463 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:22,080 we might miss another few yeah this is 464 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:23,960 like the biotapestry um it just keep 465 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:25,679 going on and on and on and it's 466 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:29,679 difficult to know where to to have a cut 467 00:19:25,679 --> 00:19:32,360 off point because um well BL keeps 468 00:19:29,679 --> 00:19:34,120 digging himself holes he has um he's 469 00:19:32,360 --> 00:19:36,799 obviously incurred the wrath of Mr 470 00:19:34,120 --> 00:19:38,919 Murdoch who who Sunday Times broke this 471 00:19:36,799 --> 00:19:41,840 and I think it was in the Australian in 472 00:19:38,919 --> 00:19:44,440 Australia as well one of another Murdoch 473 00:19:41,840 --> 00:19:47,080 paper I wonder what Mr Murdoch has 474 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:50,360 against Mr Blair perhaps we shouldn't 475 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:53,600 stray into personal matters keep the 476 00:19:50,360 --> 00:19:56,520 under the bed clothes uh but uh he he is 477 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:59,679 in uh seriously big trouble let's talk 478 00:19:56,520 --> 00:20:02,559 about chilcott chilot has labored in 479 00:19:59,679 --> 00:20:04,960 this Vineyard now for how many years how 480 00:20:02,559 --> 00:20:07,159 long have they been inquiring it's been 481 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:09,559 years for since well yes it's cost in 482 00:20:07,159 --> 00:20:11,280 the region of 134 million P it's been 483 00:20:09,559 --> 00:20:13,880 going on far too long it's been held 484 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:15,919 over and held over and held over for 485 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:18,000 political considerations rather than 486 00:20:15,919 --> 00:20:21,400 anything of open governance I think it's 487 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:23,440 uh 7 years but it can be held over any 488 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:25,640 longer because otherwise they won't be 489 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:27,720 able to release it before the election 490 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:30,559 and that would be that would be an even 491 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:33,840 bigger scandal yeah uh they can't 492 00:20:30,559 --> 00:20:35,919 release it in the weeks even months just 493 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:39,360 before the election that seems to me to 494 00:20:35,919 --> 00:20:41,480 indicate a release of Before Christmas 495 00:20:39,360 --> 00:20:44,000 how bad do you think it's going to 496 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:46,400 be well bearing in mind that Blair is 497 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:47,159 aware of the contents it the timing of 498 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:50,799 these 499 00:20:47,159 --> 00:20:53,840 Awards it does look suspect just with an 500 00:20:50,799 --> 00:20:57,280 impartial eye it look suspect 501 00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:59,440 um he's got the serious Fraud Office 502 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:02,320 investigation the Scandal over that 503 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:05,039 which has been sidelined um the into the 504 00:21:02,320 --> 00:21:07,320 alamam oil deal which throws up the 505 00:21:05,039 --> 00:21:09,000 questions over the uh Saudi contract and 506 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:11,760 the need for absolute discretion 507 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:15,120 security and secrecy that he's demanded 508 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:17,000 within his contract uh you have to you 509 00:21:15,120 --> 00:21:19,640 have to look at the potential for an 510 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:21,760 explosion for new labor at the election 511 00:21:19,640 --> 00:21:23,919 not just Blair of course I mean Jack 512 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:27,320 straw unexpectedly announced he was 513 00:21:23,919 --> 00:21:31,120 standing down yeah uh I understand he's 514 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:34,279 quite firmly in the frame for severe 515 00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:37,320 criticism even uh condemnation I mean 516 00:21:34,279 --> 00:21:40,120 let's face it I don't want labor to lose 517 00:21:37,320 --> 00:21:44,799 the election mhm but this was a labor 518 00:21:40,120 --> 00:21:46,720 crime this was a labor War MH uh which 519 00:21:44,799 --> 00:21:47,760 has never been atoned for I mean that's 520 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:50,600 the problem isn't it they're still 521 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:52,279 running around with Campbell and Blair 522 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:54,200 well Campbell Blair and let's not forget 523 00:21:52,279 --> 00:21:57,039 Miland another charitable worker on 524 00:21:54,200 --> 00:22:01,440 £300,000 a year in New York City which 525 00:21:57,039 --> 00:22:04,080 is ideally out of the the damage Zone as 526 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:06,640 far as uh Blair and straw and the other 527 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:09,919 culpable parties are are concerned but 528 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:13,120 we we've really got to look at the um 529 00:22:09,919 --> 00:22:15,679 from 10 years ago this is this is a 530 00:22:13,120 --> 00:22:17,760 clear view a clear break and millerand 531 00:22:15,679 --> 00:22:20,039 hasn't made that break he will have to 532 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:22,720 do so if he's to win back any public 533 00:22:20,039 --> 00:22:25,480 confidence in new labor as a result of 534 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:27,080 the chil cot report which you know as 535 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:28,840 you say it really should be out before 536 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:30,960 Christmas with a view to to the 537 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:32,279 political considerations of the general 538 00:22:30,960 --> 00:22:36,799 election which we know is going to take 539 00:22:32,279 --> 00:22:39,960 place in 2015 now you're the producer of 540 00:22:36,799 --> 00:22:42,840 the of the film James is toiling away in 541 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:44,520 the vineyard of the Blair dock how's it 542 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:46,400 going when's it coming out well as we 543 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:48,760 discussed earlier on there seems to be 544 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:51,520 no end to all the gifts that Tony Blair 545 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:53,640 is giving us actually more of a hche to 546 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:55,559 our team but we are wrapping up and we 547 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:57,880 are expecting the release of the film 548 00:22:55,559 --> 00:22:59,559 very soon in 2015 in the early months of 549 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:01,320 2015 550 00:22:59,559 --> 00:23:03,760 to give it some time prior to the 551 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:06,240 general elections James what have been 552 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:08,480 the I mean without giving away the uh 553 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:13,360 the contents has any of the work you've 554 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:18,039 done surprised you the level of Blair's 555 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:21,200 deceit uh the level of his um betrayal 556 00:23:18,039 --> 00:23:21,960 of the labor party and its values and 557 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:25,279 its 558 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:29,440 history and the level of the aest will 559 00:23:25,279 --> 00:23:34,039 self says in the film I I'll m 560 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:36,080 I am staggered at the avarice shown by 561 00:23:34,039 --> 00:23:38,559 Tony Blair that's the bit that shocked 562 00:23:36,080 --> 00:23:40,760 me because I saw all the rest I saw him 563 00:23:38,559 --> 00:23:43,520 betraying the labor party killing it I 564 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:46,159 saw him killing the Afghans and the 565 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:48,039 Iraqis what I didn't see and no one 566 00:23:46,159 --> 00:23:52,200 really has seen until this film comes 567 00:23:48,039 --> 00:23:54,559 out is the level of the avarest James 568 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:57,200 thanks very much for joining us on board 569 00:23:54,559 --> 00:24:00,440 the Sputnik and get this film out 570 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:00,440 quickly won't you 571 00:24:01,559 --> 00:24:05,440 and now it's your turn to tell us what 572 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:07,520 you think through the portals of social 573 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:09,240 media watch's rattling G Tre well you 574 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:11,000 see many people don't understand why 575 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:12,480 shakar armor is still in Guantanamo Bay 576 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:15,679 but I'm sure this interview will have 577 00:24:12,480 --> 00:24:18,000 enlightened most shran however 578 00:24:15,679 --> 00:24:19,919 makes the point that if he wasn't a 579 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:22,279 terrorist before he sure has a reason 580 00:24:19,919 --> 00:24:24,720 now anyone would hate the US for doing 581 00:24:22,279 --> 00:24:27,039 this quite so uh it's entirely 582 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:30,080 counterproductive it's destroyed their 583 00:24:27,039 --> 00:24:33,520 reputation uh they had a reputation left 584 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:36,840 to defend they can no longer defend it 585 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:38,880 it has radicalized a whole generation of 586 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:41,480 Muslims around the world it's one of the 587 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:43,640 factors which have radicalized them they 588 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:46,600 go looking for people to ban or 589 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:48,240 proscribe but actually the knowledge 590 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:51,279 that hundreds of Muslims have been 591 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:54,039 locked up for 12 years and more that 592 00:24:51,279 --> 00:24:56,440 would make anybody radical yeah well on 593 00:24:54,039 --> 00:24:58,960 Tony Blair well social media has been 594 00:24:56,440 --> 00:25:00,480 full with with outrage of course so I'm 595 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:02,880 just picking up a number of them alen 596 00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:05,880 Swanson says proce money can buy 597 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:08,240 anything and West Stan Jim says 598 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:11,480 unbelievable surely it must rank as one 599 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:13,919 of the biggest blunders in PR history 600 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:16,679 yeah it's a Ratner moment I I cannot 601 00:25:13,919 --> 00:25:19,240 think of any non-government organization 602 00:25:16,679 --> 00:25:22,520 any organization dependent on the 603 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:25,279 Public's Goodwill that has ever made a 604 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:27,360 bigger mistake than save the children 605 00:25:25,279 --> 00:25:29,120 have made in this case well that's all 606 00:25:27,360 --> 00:25:31,159 that we have for this week which alas 607 00:25:29,120 --> 00:25:33,880 means that's the end of the show please 608 00:25:31,159 --> 00:25:35,679 keep in touch with us on Twitter rtor 609 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:38,039 Sputnik and on Facebook you can like us 610 00:25:35,679 --> 00:25:40,799 on Sputnik on Russia today it's goodbye 611 00:25:38,039 --> 00:25:44,159 from me G and from me George Galloway 612 00:25:40,799 --> 00:25:44,159 it's been marvelous 613 00:25:53,830 --> 00:25:56,900 [Music]