Condemning the murder of Benazir Bhutto

When I heard the news I was off course shocked. But the I was just overwhelmed with a sense of pointlessness. Not that it was brought on by the murder of Benazir Bhutto, but by the pointless standard issue condemnations from world leaders. They sound hollow. Rivals praise someone who is no longer a threat, other world leaders mouth words about standing firm at the same time as they secretly negotiate with the same sorts of people elsewhere.

Tony Sharp was far quicker of the mark with a blog post arguing to stand firm against terrorism - see here. I added the following comment which is getting at a feeling of unease I have that our moral courage is being undermined by the very same politicians who are making all the brave and determined statements you'll have been hearing on the radio and TV.

Comment:
The problem is that we do negotiate with terrorists, overtly and covertly.
Assassinations and bombs are like bidding in bridge.

Our leaders make the brave statements they have to make - then send MI6 to negotiate behind the scenes. ( This is true of governments of all political colours ).

I sometimes think the role of the pronouncements of our leaders is to deceive the public and specifically the armed and police forces who are required to show nerves of steel and outstandingly bravery and will then be betrayed a few years latter in inquiries, disbandments and retreats from the positions they were told before they died were non-negotiable. ( Disbanding the RUC - removing personal protection weapons - human rights lawyers chasing our troops in Iraq etc etc )

Whilst John Major's move to talk to the IRA looks like it paid off -I wonder if in the end we won't pay a higher price for it. (It is now clear that Blair had secret sympathies for the Catholic side which made his many concessions easier to understand).

One day our courage will fail, and it will be because those we require to be brave will have learnt they are usually sold out by those urging them to stand firm.

It is why the moral courage of our leaders is most important, and so noticeably lacking.

Sorry to be so dark - but I feel nothing but cynicism for all the world leader condemnations - especially Brown's - I hear on the radio just now. Remember the diplomats being expelled from Afghanistan yesterday to see the real nature of government.