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» Monday, November 15, 2004

Colin Powell

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) told journalists that the Prime Minister had made the following remark about Colin Powell following the announcement of his resignation: "He is a remarkable man and has been a good friend to this country over a very long period". Asked if the Prime Minister was given advanced warning of Colin Powell's resignation the PMOS said that he did not brief on private conversations.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

PM’s Speech

The PMOS said that the Prime Minister's speech at the Lord Mayor's Banquet tonight would defend this country's relationships with both the US and Europe saying that we had a unique role in relation to both. He would say:

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Fox Hunting

Asked if the Prime Minister would support the Hunting Bill if it returned with amendments similar to the Alun Michael style Bill the PMOS said the that the Prime Minister had always supported a compromise as outlined in Alun Michael's approach. So, assuming there was a suitable amendment the Prime Minister would be voting for restitution of the Alun Michael amendment. Asked which version of the amendment that was the PMOS said that the Prime Minister would judge the amendment as it was and assuming it reflected the Alun Michael amendment the Prime Minister would vote for it. The vote remained a free vote. Asked why he was indicating the Prime Minister's voting intention, the PMOS said that the Prime Minister believed it was right to indicate his degree of support for the compromise.

Briefing took place at 15:45 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Washington Visit Talks

Asked what the themes of the Prime Minister's Mansion House Speech would be, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) replied that it would be a reflection of the Prime Minister's view of why the relationship with America, Europe and the evolving world scene was important. It was imperative that the US and Europe worked together. It would also reflect the opportunity to seize the moment in the Middle East, which was something he talked about in his press conference with President Bush.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Middle East

Asked if there was going to be a London conference on the Middle East, the PMOS replied that that suggested we expected a conference to come out of Friday's meeting, which we didn't. He said not to put horses and carts in the wrong order, and what was important was to get the electoral process on the road in Palestine, and to do everything possible to help it. Only after the elections have taken place can support for the new Palestinian government be worked out.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (3)

Chirac Visit

Asked if the US/European relations over the Middle East were something that the Prime Minister and President Chirac would discuss later in the week, the PMOS said that it was inevitable that they would be part of the talks, but the discussion would focus on looking ahead to the Presidency of the G8, and the EU, including issues such as Africa.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Hunting

Asked what the Government was proposing to do about the compromise over the Hunting Bill that was discussed at the Leeds Castle conference, the PMOS answered that not only was it was a free vote in the House, but also that the Prime Minister still believed in the compromise set out by Alun Michael, and that it was the best way forward. He said it was better to wait and see what the House of Lords did.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

Fallujah

Asked if the Prime Minister thought the operation in Fallujah had been a success, the PMOS replied that in terms of moving into the city and dealing with insurgents, then yes, but the operation continued and it was still dangerous there. What was now important was to switch the focus into reconstruction, as had been done successfully else where.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comment (1)

Disbursals/Appeals Process

Asked if the Government accepted its policy for disbursals and appeals was a shambles, the PMOS said that it was not, and he referred to the story where what was usually a routine process had been hyped up into something different. It was routine for people to assess the level of disbursal in one particular area, and if it was reaching the level that local people in authority thought was the limit, then they could suspend it. It was a routine process.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments Off on Disbursals/Appeals Process

EU Single Market

Asked if the Prime Minister shared the Chancellor's view that there were fundamental criticisms that concerned the EU single market, the PMOS replied that in terms of the need to keep the reform process going and step up the rate of reform, then of course. The Government believed that reform was the way to a stronger EU economy. It had never been said that the process of reform in a single market was near completion, but the Government still wanted to push it through, especially in the services area, but also in other too, including procurement.

Briefing took place at 11:00 | Read whole briefing | Comments (0)

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» Monday, November 15, 2004

Colin Powell

PM’s Speech

Fox Hunting

Washington Visit Talks

Middle East

Chirac Visit

Hunting

Fallujah

Disbursals/Appeals Process

EU Single Market

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