Chris wrote:
> I think it is more an attempt to forge a special relationship with Blair in
> which they are using each other. Putin is a creature created by the
> oligarch media owners in Russia. He has been well advised by media
> specialists about how to manage his image. They have clearly liaised
> closely with Alistair Campbell, Blair's expert spin doctor, in
> orchestrating the visit by Tony and Cheryl last month to meet the Putin's
> at a special performance of "War and Peace".
>
> Blair has always sought to use personal charm and dynamism to help Britain
> punch above its weight. He now seeks to present himself as an intermediary
> between Putin and Clinton, especially on the strategic arms limitation
> negotiations,
Surely this is to reduce political analysis to clever tricks with
smoke and mirrors. That it is all a matter of individual
personalities and internal propaganda advantage. This might be
interesting comment for the bourgeois press (and their largely
proletarian and middle class readership) but surely Marxists should
aim for a little more indepth analysis of the real underlying
factors for a possible (historic) alliance between Russia and
Britain, beyond the photo-oportunities with smart suits and
fashionable wives.
In my view the real important factor appear in your later brief
paragraph:
> The press release also refers to financial talks between Britain and
> Russia, designed of course for Britain to get some tactical advantage
> relative to German and French capitalism in Russia.
We'll wait and see which is the more important...
Regards, John
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