Well, the Sudanese have finally done the right thing. Not before time. I think what they’ve done has been pathetic and outrageous, though. Not only did the regime allow her conviction: it also organised demonstrations of “militants” to show the international community there was apparent support for its actions. And, instead of releasing her immediately, the Sudanese president took his time, making a show of strength by requiring, in effect, British Lords to petition him in person before agreeing http://www.gooakley.com/ the release. The Sky TV news report I’ve just heard amazingly suggested the Sudanese regime was “torn” about what to do, as though this were a genuine quandary for them and as though the president was genuinely persuaded to take action today.
What nonsense! The BBC story I’ve linked surely has it right, saying the release was “stage managed”. The Sudanese have used this, rather as the Iranians used the British seamen a few months ago, to show their strength to the outside world.
What’s also right is the suggestion from the Muslim Council of Britain that this incident has been damaging to the image of Islam, and will make some people think Islam has no place in modern society.
The situation made me wonder whether or not boy Miliband agrees with Ralph Miliband’s views on elitism. Ralph was on the outside looking in; boy is on the inside.
(Gibbons is lucky that there wasn’t a peace movement that needed to be undermined).
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Chuck Unsworth said…
Definition of ‘Modern Society’, then?
Anyone going to places like Sudan needs to be damned careful about absolutely everything. It’s dangerous enough going to Newcastle….
What astounds me is the apparent belief by some that foreign peoples and parts somehow have the same attitudes, laws and principles as we, in our ‘multicultural’ society may have.
“Abroad is bloody, and foreigners are fiends”
11:46 AM, December 04, 2007
Whilst everything thats happened to this poor woman has indeed been pathetic and outrageous, she herself did admit that she went to Sudan looking for adventure; I fully appreciate that what she endured was NOT the sort of adventure she went looking for; rather, part of me cannot help but think when I look at her that here’s a middle aged woman looking to be swept off her feet by a handsome mysterious and educated Arab and romanced in his sumptuous Bedouin Tent, or something……