The Mediocracy Of 'Global Britain'
The knowledge and quality of 'western' leading officials is of serious concern. They are often politicians with no experience in the fields they are supposed to represent.
Liz Truss, currently the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, is a sad example.
It is said that the job of the foreign secretary has something to do with geography. To know where this or that country is and what its surroundings are is supposedly helpful when one wants wage war or peace with or against them.
Liz Truss had failed in this category when, a week ago, she said: "We are offering extra supplies and support into our Baltic allies across the Black Sea." The Black Sea is some 700 miles away from the Baltic states.
Today Liz Truss endorsed another occasion to fail when she visited Russia to talk about the Russian non-attack on the Ukraine only to get mocked by its very experienced Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Truss came dressed with a fur hat and gloves to a Moscow that today was warmer than London.
At the meeting Truss seems to have done exactly what Lavrov had publicly warned her not to do before the meeting started:
I have read Boris Johnson’s statement to the House of Commons, in which he said about relations with Russia that they should be improved. Following that, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that you and your colleague the Defence Secretary would travel to Russia to improve our relations.At least this is what the announcement said. I don’t know if this is really so.
If this is the goal our British colleagues aspire to, we will definitely reciprocate. We cannot be satisfied with our current relations, which are at the lowest ebb in the past years.
Of course, relations can only be normalised through dialogue based on mutual respect and equality, recognition of each other’s legitimate interests and a search for mutually acceptable solutions.
Ideologically charged approaches, ultimatums, threats and moralising is a road to nowhere. Regrettably, many of our Western colleagues are using this form in their public activities. I do not see this as diplomacy.
You will agree, I am sure, that communication between two international subjects should have added value for both sides. Only in this case will it bring positive results.
The meeting did not go well.
Truss also showed a lack of manner when she started to talk (vid) even while the translation of the previous speaker was still ongoing.
Her knowledge was of similar quality. As Kommersant reports in Russian (machine translation):
The British Foreign Secretary told the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry about the need to withdraw Russian armed forces from the Ukrainian border. Sergei Lavrov replied that the military is on the territory of his country. Liz Truss repeated that they should be withdrawn. To this, the Russian minister again objected that the military did not violate anything, since they had the right to conduct any maneuvers on the territory of the Russian Federation.After that, he himself addressed a question to his British colleague: “Do you recognize the sovereignty of Russia over the Rostov and Voronezh regions?”
“Great Britain will never recognize Russian sovereignty over these regions,” the Foreign Minister replied after a short pause.
British Ambassador to the Russian Federation Deborah Bonnert had to intervene in the situation, who delicately explained to Mrs. Truss that we were really talking about Russian regions.
At the press conference after the meeting Lavrov pilled on:
During an icy press conference after the talks, Lavrov said the two sides had found little common ground and that the talks contained “nothing secret, no trust. Just slogans shouted from the tribunes.”“I’m honestly disappointed that our conversation turned out like the mute with the deaf. We appear to be listening but we’re not hearing anything. Our detailed explanations fell on unprepared ground,” Lavrov said.
“It’s like when they say that Russia is waiting for the ground to freeze so that tanks can easily enter Ukraine,” he added. “It seems that our British colleagues were on similar ground today, off of which bounced all the facts we presented them.”
It seems that 'Global Britain', as Boris Johnson envisioned it, is represented by a know-nothing dimwit traveling around to lecture real diplomats about issues they had already forgotten more about than Truss will ever know.
That's not going to end well.
Posted by b on February 10, 2022 at 15:32 UTC | Permalink
next page »I live in the UK and dimwit is not even enough. Truss is a braindead attention-seeking bimbo who would make Kamala Harris look like Marie Curie in comparison.
Posted by: Sumguy | Feb 10 2022 15:49 utc | 2
Sadly, its all about "the narrative" and who controls it. That Truss is mind-numbingly stupid and arrogant and tasked with meeting with world class diplomats with disastrous results will simply never be sweep under the carpet by the AngloZionist propaganda machinery. They will likely dredge up how "plucky" she is (a word I don't quite understand and always associate with pulling feathers off chickens)
Posted by: Simplicius | Feb 10 2022 15:49 utc | 3
It gets better. When Johnson finally goes out of the window they will need a new prime minister.
Apparently the two front runners are the Chancellor, Sunak, and.....Liz Truss!
Posted by: John Cleary | Feb 10 2022 15:54 utc | 4
It is understandable that Liz Truss, currently the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom would confuse unknown places like Voronezh or Rostov with, say, Zhitomir or Vinnitsia.
Who wouldn't?
I expect Serguei Shoigu might do the very same tiny mistake soon enough!
Posted by: Greg Galloway | Feb 10 2022 15:55 utc | 5
@Sumguy #2
You made a really strong statement.
I think, in this case, We're Number One (the US).
Posted by: c1ue | Feb 10 2022 15:58 utc | 6
It is a similar case with the Foreign Secretary of Germany. I see incompetent people promoted into office as a result of party politics in the "free, democratic" countries. While in the "authoritarian" countries only the best heads get into high offices. That is why the West will lose: dilettantes vs. professionals.
Posted by: Outspoken | Feb 10 2022 16:00 utc | 7
The UK is another front for the God of Mammon cult and my observation is that Marcon is the only direct line to the cult as evidenced by his latest visit with Putin.
Boris and his minions are second to the Queen in puppet status to the City of London Corp owners. John Cleary writes here about how the Queen is running the God of Mammon cult and I am not a believer, nor of faith John.
The world is going to have itself a war but its not going to be what those in the West have gamed out. China/Russia are setting up to deliver and execute, as we are seeing, ultimatums about their own security and push back on the illegal occupation of other countries.
The rules based order of private property, ongoing inheritance, and ownership of the global tools of finance is being challenged. It is my hope that centuries old cancer affecting our species will be evolved beyond with society's current movements.
Truss is just the piano player for a inhuman form of social organization that has met its match and can't hide behind the Truss "prettied" curtain of Might-Makes-Right diplomacy.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 10 2022 16:04 utc | 8
What's the big deal!!! She is angling for the top job if bojo falls and raising her profile by "standing up yo the Russians" for the "ruled based international order".
It is fault of the Russians to invite her because she brings nothing to the table, if it was us I would've understood that but to give uk a voice is ridiculous.
I think blinken would probably have done the same thing but with much more class and tact
Posted by: A.z | Feb 10 2022 16:04 utc | 9
There is also an interesting story about why she doesn't occupy the Foreign Secretary's official Grace and favour residence just off Pall Mall - and it's not because slippery Gove is encamped there. Apparently she likes to 'entertain a lot of gentlemen visitors' and doesn't want the observation....Perhaps she plans to 'improve relations' in a different way?
Posted by: Mark T | Feb 10 2022 16:11 utc | 10
THX b but mediocracy is not the right word, you should use idiocracy like in the movie. And of course it is not limited to the UK. Look around in the EU and you will find lots of examples of politicians without ANY experience and without ANY expertise. I assume their sole asset is beeing a perfect puppet of someone else - most likely in the west.
Posted by: mac | Feb 10 2022 16:15 utc | 11
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov deserves an Oscar for "Best Diplomat" for trussing up Truss who also deserves an Oscar as "Best Supporting Actress" for her role in playing a brain-dead tw@t. Oh, that wasn't an act?
Posted by: Trisha | Feb 10 2022 16:23 utc | 12
Yep, its hard to soar with the Eagles, when you come from a group of Turkeys ! How come the Monarchy never represents Britain in any hard core foreign situations? One would think and remember that President Putin stated that those responsible for pushing Ukraine to attack Crimea, Donbass and Russia - will not get off the Hook. Where is that So called next King and Queen of " Great" Britain ?
Maybe they are Lizards , like Lady Di supposedly said. lol
Posted by: GMC | Feb 10 2022 16:27 utc | 13
Lizz Truss is an idiot and her aggressive attitude at the meeting only serves to ramp up the hostilities towards Russia, as Stoltenberg and Johnson held a press briefing along the same lines of Russia is waiting for the ground to freeze over so they can move their tanks on Kiev. Meanwhile Johnson has been supplying heavy weaponry to Ukraine including anti-tank weapons.
Of course Truss's belligerence towards Lavrov and Stoltenberg and Johnsons negative press conference could have been pre-planned to further Nato/USA's cause. UK news also reporting that Westminster will impose further and more severe sanctions on Russia.
Looking from the outside in, its Nato that's desperate to see Russia invade Ukraine, and Nato will use every dirty trick in the book to goad Russia into invading Ukraine, even though Russia has no intentions of doing so.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Feb 10 2022 16:33 utc | 14
russia asked a good question there - “Do you recognize the sovereignty of Russia over the Rostov and Voronezh regions?” - and this truss lady acted like a real idiot for all to see.... i am sure the western msm will keep this off their main page... i get a kick of her picture with the temperature in moscow higher then in london, lolol... maybe she wears that sort of thing in london? who knows... bimbo status either way..
Posted by: james | Feb 10 2022 16:39 utc | 15
Let's look at Liz's resume, from the most recent prior position to earlier ones:
>Minister for Women and Equalities
>Secretary of State for International Trade, President of the Board of Trade
>Chief Secretary to the Treasury
>Secretary of State for Justice, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain
>Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
>Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Childcare and Education
Posted by: Don Bacon | Feb 10 2022 16:39 utc | 16
Financial Times: “…Truss may have her flaws, but she is 10 times better human being than Lavrov”
Posted by: Platero | Feb 10 2022 16:40 utc | 17
- The current cabinet of the british government and all of the Tory members of parliament in Whitehall are made up of people who had to vow to support the Brexit agenda.
- The previous Foreign Secretary (Dominic Raab) was also a "Brexit Toadie" who didn't understand the importance of the port of Dover for trade (imports & exports) with Europe.
- In spite of solid evidence to the contrary, the merry band of Brexiteers insist that Brexit has been a solid succes and don't want to acknowledge that Brexit has hurt the british economy. All the Brexiteers do is reciting that Brexit was a success because it allowed Britain to "regain sovereignty". What a sorry lot !!!!
Posted by: Willy2 | Feb 10 2022 16:47 utc | 18
I am surprised that no-one has asked two obvious questions to Macron and Scholz.
1: Are France and Germany colonies of the USA which must obey all orders from Washington?
2: Was the Afghanistan invasion, occupation and abandonment a success worth repeating because it was such a success?
We are sleepwalking into a war which will flatten Ukraine, kill hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, and send a wave of refugees into Europe.
Posted by: Gene27 | Feb 10 2022 16:47 utc | 19
Which leaves one to wonder why Russia continues the charade of diplomacy. Even if progress were made, it would not be maintained. I would say they have given it an opportunity, better not to continue to support the posturing.
Posted by: jared | Feb 10 2022 16:59 utc | 20
@ Republicofscotland | Feb 10 2022 16:33 utc | 14
Republic,
Boris shipped tons and tons of Anti tank missiles to the Ukraine that are now, literally, past the manufacturers Use by Date.
They are obsolete,unreliable, and possiblely dangerous to those using them, if they can be got to work at all.
Boris has now offloaded the costs of disposing them from the Ministry of Defence to The Ukrainian Govt.
Posted by: DaveGood | Feb 10 2022 17:02 utc | 21
Truss first cant to my attention a few years ago when she was bemoaning the lack of new ideas on the Right. She was right, but she’s also Right, so not very bright & generally appears drunk when she appears in public
Posted by: Pete | Feb 10 2022 17:12 utc | 22
the word sovereignty is not in the vocabulary of the NATO states. the US won't say the word because they do not acknowledge it for others, and the vassals won't say it because they themselves don't have it.
truss didn't just stumble on the unfamiliar Russian placenames, but on the word sovereignty itself, practically a foreign word in Atlanticist circles.
in the rules based order, individuals (especially NED funded dissidents) have human rights, but countries can have no sovereignty -- as if individuals can achieve independence when their motherland is a dependency.
as meng wanzhou said upon her release: this was only possible because of china's national strength. there is no individual freedom if your motherland is a captive pawn.
Posted by: mastameta | Feb 10 2022 17:13 utc | 23
Boris thinks he's Churchill, Truss thinks she's Thatcher. The UK thinks they are all clowns.
Posted by: Hector Sanchez | Feb 10 2022 17:32 utc | 24
I could forgive her the Baltic vs Black Sea mistake. I'm sure she understands the difference and simply jumbled her words.
But the bit about Rostov and Voronezh really does show ignorance, and one has to assume that Lavrov set that up as a trap just to embarrass her, and of course she fell right in.
"We'll never recognize Russian sovereignty over Rostov and Voronezh! What, they're in Russia?"
Posted by: Oscar Peterson | Feb 10 2022 17:36 utc | 25
I really find it hilarious. It’s more like a reasonable person, Lavrov, talking to an imbecile who is really a dunce with no brains.
Posted by: Jose Garcia | Feb 10 2022 17:40 utc | 26
Napoléon said "The most dangereous people are the morons"
And he knew what he said.
He was himself blind moron when he decided to invide Russia.
I can agree when a leader is vicious, macchiavelic, tough and even bloody.
But I'm absolutly frighten when I réalise until what level of true stupidity our west leaders are.
Posted by: Lavaliere | Feb 10 2022 17:40 utc | 27
@Greg Galloway #5 If honourable lady read anything about Second World War and operations conducted by Red Army against occupying exes forces she would have remembered huge battles at two towns where more than million people died during 1942 and 1943 offensives.
Posted by: Milos | Feb 10 2022 17:43 utc | 28
maybe someone can be bothered to publish the very long list of Defence and Foreign policy committee members who eg listen to Browder of who are likewise....but I cannot be bothered....I would get too angry.
Posted by: Jo | Feb 10 2022 17:48 utc | 29
Well, at least her last name Truss is correct in the medical sense. She is a medical device for the herniated UK.
Lavrov is my hero.
Posted by: lex talionis | Feb 10 2022 17:49 utc | 30
After that, he himself addressed a question to his British colleague: “Do you recognize the sovereignty of Russia over the Rostov and Voronezh regions?”“Great Britain will never recognize Russian sovereignty over these regions,” the Foreign Minister replied after a short pause.
LOL!! What an imbecile Truss is! Lavrov just destroyed her...
It is a sad state of affairs when true idiots a placed in government positions. And it isn't a mistake, because all I see is idiots in western governments...
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 10 2022 17:53 utc | 31
@Posted by: Willy2 | Feb 10 2022 16:47 utc | 18
A brick through the window isn't supposed to feel good.
Posted by: librul | Feb 10 2022 17:55 utc | 32
@Milos #28
Sure Rostov or Voronezh are famous names for battles in WWII... she ought to know but alas!
Posted by: Greg Galloway | Feb 10 2022 18:02 utc | 33
Like a scene from the "Yes, minister!" series!
At least Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne & Derek Fowlds were funny!!
Posted by: Δημήτρης Α | Feb 10 2022 18:02 utc | 34
Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 10 2022 17:53 utc | 31
"It is a sad state of affairs when true idiots a placed in government positions."
Yes, this is what Canada is suffering from at the moment as well, and the connections with the WEF do suggest it is not a mistake.
Posted by: Blue Dotterel | Feb 10 2022 18:06 utc | 35
Am trying to search out a name.
The Brits sent some low level envoy to meet with Hitler or Ribbentrop or (?)
The envoy had the most prissy of names.
Apparently the use of an envoy without power or authority was a snub of sort.
Anyone know the name of the envoy?
Posted by: librul | Feb 10 2022 18:11 utc | 36
In 1941 US negotiators met with the Japanese ambassador to 'negotiate' a resolution to the US embargoes against Japan. Negotiations were going nowhere, but the Japenese kept trying. Finally, the US team were instructed to insult the Japanese, in order to push them to war. As we know, it worked.
Popcorn or patience...
Posted by: Les7 | Feb 10 2022 18:11 utc | 37
UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, is no Ernest Bevin, when the circumstances and conditions are crying out for a Foreign Secretary with the knowledge and integrity of a Bevin. I am reminded of the following passage from 'The Controversy of Zion' by Douglas Reed, which is available online unabridged.
"...The Socialist government of l945, which in domestic affairs must have been nearly the worst that a war-weary country, in need of reinvigoration, could have received, in foreign affairs did its country one service. It saved, of honour, what could be saved. Under pressure from the four corners of the world it refused to play the assassin's part in Palestine; if it did not protect the Arabs, and by that time it probably could not protect them, at least it did not destroy them for the Zionist taskmaster. .
This achievement was the sole work of a Mr. Ernest Bevin, in my estimation the greatest man produced in British political life during this century. According to report, King George VI, the most unobtrusive of monarchs, urged the incoming Socialist prime minister, Mr. Attlee, to make his best and strongest man Foreign Secretary, because the state of the world so clearly demanded this. Mr. Attlee thereon revised a list already drafted, expunging the name of some worthy "liberal" who might have involved his country in the coming pogrom of Arabs, and inserting that of Mr. Bevin...."
p 291 in the online version, p 431 hardback version.
https://www.controversyofzion.info/Controversybook/reeedcontrov.pdf
Posted by: Paul | Feb 10 2022 18:12 utc | 38
Rather than communicate the insult and his failure, the Ambassadore committed suicide, the first victim of that planned war
Posted by: Les7 | Feb 10 2022 18:13 utc | 39
That's better comedy than the scene from The New Statesman - where an idiotic politician (Piers Fletcher Dervish?) makes threats against Holland, the Netherlands and the Dutch, thinking that those are all different nationalities!
Posted by: Brendan | Feb 10 2022 18:18 utc | 40
Personally, I think it's something in the water supply. UK politicians have been getting stupider and stupider over the 60 odd years I've been observing them. I don't think it can go much further - they'll have to be spoon fed and still be in nappies as adults soon.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Feb 10 2022 18:29 utc | 41
Diplomats should actually move in finest threads, if necessary also in high heels, on mirror-smooth parquet.
The chief diplomats of the "free West" prefer to be driven around the front in battle tanks (Truss) or indulge in "full war paint" in the dubious pleasure of a kind of "war tourism", indulging in the exciting shiver of the smell of gun smoke (Bearbock).
One could interpret this as "erosion of civilization...
Posted by: Humml | Feb 10 2022 18:33 utc | 42
Reading the article.
The term eviscerated seems the most appropriate regards Liz Trusses performance.
It's frightening to witness the descent in the ability of the British foreign office to influence or mediate event's.
Crisis of competence keeps jumping to mind.
Posted by: Jpc | Feb 10 2022 18:47 utc | 43
Posted by: Les7 | Feb 10 2022 18:11 utc | 37
Posted by: Les7 | Feb 10 2022 18:13 utc | 39
"Rather than communicate the insult and his failure, the Ambassador committed suicide, the first victim of that planned war."
You are right the Pacific war was planned and the Japanese were deliberately and repeatedly insulted. Just like Australia and the US deliberately insults China and Russia today, for calculated and predictable results.
Japan had two ambassadors in Washington. Ambassador Kurusu and co-Ambassador, Admiral Nomura. I don't think either committed suicide.
The Japanese Navy did not want war. The navy held the jingoists in the government and the army in contempt. Harvard educated Admiral Yamamoto was assigned police bodyguards pre-war, as it was assumed the army would attempt to assassinate him.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 10 2022 18:52 utc | 45
Financial Times: “…Truss may have her flaws, but she is 10 times better human being than Lavrov”
Posted by: Platero | Feb 10 2022 16:40 utc | 17
That "crisis of competence" seems to be terminal in that previously reputable paper.
Anyone else have similar examples?
Posted by: Jpc | Feb 10 2022 18:54 utc | 46
"Do you recognize the sovereignty of Russia over the Rostov and Voronezh regions?"
"Great Britain will never recognize Russian sovereignty over these regions", the Foreign Minister replied after a short pause.
Although it is true that Truss is a studied ignoramus, me thinks, like a guileless knave, she let the truth accidentally slither from her lips. Great Britain has never reconciled itself, unless under force of arms, to the concept of autonomous nations. Great Britain leaders have always thought themselves above all the rest...including the USA.
Posted by: S Brennan | Feb 10 2022 19:00 utc | 47
That's the first idiot shamed and sent away. Lavrov didn't have to do anything, she slit her own throat....and this woman is 'educated'...read PPE at Oxford etc., and is being touted as a Boris replacement. Draw your own conclusions. Next up is our defence minister Wallace (ex-army officer) to meet Shoigu. If that goes as well as this I expect hypersonics to hit the FO and MoD the following day.....
Posted by: Emmanuel Goldstein | Feb 10 2022 19:00 utc | 48
What is that current Russian saying? ( Apologies if I have misquoted it ).
If you won’t talk to Lavrov you’ll talk to Shoigu.
If this is the ease that Mr. Lavrov made Ms. Truss look like an imbecile, imagine what Mr. Shoigu will do to Master Wallace.
I understand stupid people cannot perceive their ignorance. As Napoleon Bonapart once said :
In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.
But the financial times?
Posted by: Beibdnn. | Feb 10 2022 19:04 utc | 49
You could have mentioned the story of Truss and the cheese. Truss's first "success" in negotiating a post-Brexit free trade deal was with Japan. She trumpetted the deal, particularly her success in removing tarifs on British cheese exported to Japan. What was not noted was that the Japanese don't eat cheese.... (lactose intolerance, I believe).
Posted by: laguerre | Feb 10 2022 19:07 utc | 50
O/T.
Head of England's Met police force Cressida Dick (ex-MI6 operative) has quit her post as chief of police with immediate effect.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-dame-cressida-dick-leaves-26198956
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Feb 10 2022 19:12 utc | 51
Given that before becoming UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss's main claim to fame as a politician was getting drunk at long lunches in expensive restaurants and clubs organised by her staff at British taxpayers' expense, shouldn't she have been pinged by now by the so-called Partygate investigations that have Boris Johnson almost on the ropes? Or is she in Sue Grey's sights ... after she deals other, more senior members in Johnson's Cabinet and all their advisors and consultants?
Posted by: Jen | Feb 10 2022 19:15 utc | 52
That's good news, republic. Otherwise she would have dishonestly had to clear Johnson of wrongdoing, and I suspect that was too much even for the one who ordered the shooting of the innocent Brazilian, Menezes.
Posted by: laguerre | Feb 10 2022 19:16 utc | 53
@ 45 paul
My bad regarding the ambassador, memory is not what it once was. I went back to try to find where that info came from, but notes are gone.. I did read it in an authoritative source at the time.
Posted by: Les7l | Feb 10 2022 19:25 utc | 54
In response to librul@36,
Couldn't say about that particular meeting, but in Russian circles the French and British meeting with Molotov, in which they essentially torpedoed any Soviet notion of the Triple Alliance against Hitler, has some notoriety. I believe the British representative was some Lord Halifax.
Posted by: Skiffer | Feb 10 2022 19:45 utc | 55
DaveGood | Feb 10 2022 17:02 utc | @21
Yes, the has received tank-killer missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-air (Stinger) missiles. Given the levels of corruption in Ukraine, what is the probability this ends up being sold to terrorists and criminals?
I predict some of these arms will find their way back to the UK.
Posted by: Passerby | Feb 10 2022 19:50 utc | 56
Greg Galloway | Feb 10 2022 15:55 utc | 5
Hmmm. I wonder if she knows the location New York and New Jersey. Isn't Mr. Lavrov's a similar question to ask a Foreign Secretary? I see more than a bit of cultural chauvinism and stupidity, and a whole lot of arrogance coming from the visitor from the UK. If she didn't know, she could have asked.
Posted by: Michael.j | Feb 10 2022 19:52 utc | 57
Posted by: Les7l | Feb 10 2022 19:25 utc | 54
Don';t worry, Les, my memory is also not what it once was. Try putting your mind in neutral, sleeping and then, bingo, the thought pops back up.
Posted by: Paul | Feb 10 2022 20:13 utc | 58
Sure, Truss is clearly out of her league, but I don't think her job was to be anything more than a Roman Ambassador (march forth and disdainfully insult whatever barbarian king to be crushed in the name of the people and senate of Rome this time).
The UK and the US want Russia at war in Ukraine. Even if Truss was a genius what would she do anyway, listen carefully, realize the perfectly reasonable point of view of the other side and then run back to the West to tell the others "false alarm, power-down the MIC!"
Posted by: Lonkal | Feb 10 2022 20:17 utc | 59
@Mark T, #10:
...Perhaps she plans to 'improve relations' in a different way?
Oh really? Does she have the looks for that?
Posted by: Oriental Voice | Feb 10 2022 20:20 utc | 60
Her bio on Wiki is rather entertaining. Just a sample:
Critics who have attempted to engage with her, according to George Monbiot in The Guardian, have said that she is:
...indissolubly wedded to a set of theories about how the world should be, that are impervious to argument, facts or experience. She was among the first ministers to put her own department on the block in the latest [2015] spending review, volunteering massive cuts. She seems determined to dismantle the protections that secure our quality of life: the rules and agencies defending the places and wildlife we love.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Truss
Like Chrystia Freeland, it's been rumoured that she could be the next prime minister, and her incompetence exceeds that of Freeland's. If they succeed and Brandon is still around (or even if he's replace by Heels Up Harris) it will be fun times ahead for the Anglo world...
Posted by: Victor | Feb 10 2022 20:21 utc | 61
Don Bacon | Feb 10 2022 16:39 utc | 16
Emmanuel Goldstein | Feb 10 2022 19:00 utc | 48
i too was going to say, "don't leave out the Oxford."
the trap was not the revelation of her ignorance, but that she could not reply, "We respect Russia's integrity" or some other plausible sounding diplo-bull. so arrogant that she can't recognize that a Lavrov is more clever, experienced and smarter, and not treating this as a game.
Posted by: rjb1.5 | Feb 10 2022 20:23 utc | 62
@mac, #11:
I agree with you on that. Not just EU, you can include Australia, Canada, et al into that clique. I think it's the consequence of the absence of a real press. The absence of a real media deprives a society of checks and balances that's crucial to emergence of quality leadership on merit.
Posted by: Oriental Voice | Feb 10 2022 20:27 utc | 63
I fully agree with Lonkal @ 59
It may appear odd for a European diplomat to ignore where Rostov is, especially when every aspect of the mission relates to Russia. But, in my opinion, this is more evidence that Truss's mission in Moscow isn't one which we intuitively attribute to a foreign ministry. Even if we assume she never heard of Rostov, Lavrov was unambiguously talking about Russian troops stationed within Russian territory. Anyone paying attention would understand this.
The thing is, Truss isn't there to listen, she's there to sell a product on her home market. So say what we may about her, the level of her pitch is tuned to match that of her consumers.
Samantha Power, Susan Rice, John Bolton, John Kirby, they are all of the same cloth. Appropriately flattering, self congratulatory and tough talking but always in simple, easy to follow arguments, invariably leading to the same aisle stocked with nothing but belligerence on every shelf.
Posted by: robin | Feb 10 2022 20:28 utc | 64
Posted by: Outspoken | Feb 10 2022 16:00 utc | 7
The public office in the "West" is just theater. The brains (evil or not) are in various quasi-public/private organizations (for profit or not) and it is these organizations that guide policy.
However you seem to have affection for authoritarian systems, laughably asserting that only the "best" are admitted, while ignoring the very real 'shit test' (also present in Western arrangement) of filtering out highly qualified individuals who happen to disagree with the Maximum Leader. This fact, historic in scope, has -always- proved the downfall of such systems. Every single one has failed and will fail.
These authoritarian systems lack longevity and every transfer of power is a 'moment of truth' for them. By wide admission (in Russian media), for example, "only one person in Russia knows" how Russia intends to respond to rejection of its ultimatum and demand for a treaty to redefine European security framework. Let's think about this: The entire Russian state is by their own admission is -clueless- about the overall strategy of the Maximum Leader. Should the said leader drop dead tomorrow, what are they to do?
One can mock/decry Western system for various historic failings, but an honest analysis will need to ask what precisely has granted the West such a long run as the global overlords. The secret sauce of the West is precisely that it is controlled by a core group and no single individual.
Posted by: actually | Feb 10 2022 20:40 utc | 65
from the wiki on "Britain Unchained", co-authored (ghost written?) by Truss and 4 others. Guess where 3 of these 4 are "serving" now? did you guess licking BoJo's boots? sucking off the gov't teat and whining about taxes and the lazy poor.
The book asserts that the UK has a "bloated state, high taxes and excessive regulation". It then says:
The British are among the worst idlers in the world. We work among the lowest hours, we retire early and our productivity is poor. Whereas Indian children aspire to be doctors or businessmen, the British are more interested in football and pop music.
It says the UK should “stop indulging in irrelevant debates about sharing the pie between manufacturing and services, the north and the south, women and men”.
----
how much revenue do football and pop music produce for the British economy? how about the Indian economy?
if we just march ahead, ignoring existing economic disparities, they'll just disappear, right?
huh. let the unequal pie sharing pile up in the streets. let it rip. yep. exactly what's happening.
Posted by: rjb1.5 | Feb 10 2022 20:44 utc | 66
@ Passerby | Feb 10 2022 19:50 utc | 56
Yes, the (Ukraine) has received tank-killer missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-air (Stinger) missiles. Given the levels of corruption in Ukraine, what is the probability this ends up being sold to terrorists and criminals?
Yep, as soon as that lot get's uncrated I'm sure they'll be thinking "Cool! this will look great on Ebay!"
Posted by: DaveGood | Feb 10 2022 20:48 utc | 67
Back in the day when one's honor was considered an asset and to demonstrate such a gross dishonor was more than enough grounds for resignation prior to being relieved of duties, Truss is an example of just how far down the lack of credibility hole the UK has fallen. Such ought to be expected when a nation is "led" by serial prevaricators for over a generation--getting away with lying is seen as a virtue while telling truths no matter how uncomfortable is considered a fault and detrimental to political advancement. Essentially, we have reached the logical conclusion of the Age of Yes Wo/Men--100% incompetence 24/7/365.
And the visit wasn't at Russia's invitation. From Lavrov's opening statement linked to by b:
"I have read Boris Johnson’s statement to the House of Commons, in which he said about relations with Russia that they should be improved. Following that, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that you and your colleague the Defence Secretary would travel to Russia to improve our relations." [My Emphasis]
Tomorrow's meeting of Defense Ministers will be of special importance.
This cannot be. Just today I read an article on ft.com praising Ms. Truss for her style, determination, and ability. She is considered a serious candidate for BJ's position.
Anyway, as far as I understand it, for the British aristocracy excessive (or any, especially if not in former Empire) knowledge of geography is a sign of bad taste, if not worse.
Posted by: Jože | Feb 10 2022 21:17 utc | 69
From British Satirical website - The Daily Mash
Invading the Falklands instead would be great for us, Truss tells Russia
THE foreign secretary has asked her Russian counterpart if he fancies invading the Falkland Islands instead as it would really help her and the Tory party.
Liz Truss offered an initially successful invasion of the Falklands, followed by a historic British victory boosting the government’s popularity and ensuring her election victory, like Mrs Thatcher.
She said: “I’m planning to become party leader in June so wait till then and steam in there. I’ll tip off our lads so you’ll meet minimal resistance.
“Then I’ll deliver pre-written patriotic speeches, rally the nation, order in a taskforce, thrash the vast Russian army, and call a snap election. Then we’ll begin a new era of ‘Trussism’. I’ve even thought of a nickname for myself, ‘The Gorgeous Metal Lady’.
Posted by: Aslangeo | Feb 10 2022 21:21 utc | 70
The British Government are an embarrassment and look very stupid dancing to the US tune. I'm also British.
Posted by: Helen | Feb 10 2022 21:27 utc | 71
Commentators have mentioned Stinger Anti-Aircraft Missiles.
From what I read (Reuters) this is new, this is an escalation, another provocation.
Ukraine Will Receive Stinger Anti-Aircraft Missiles Within Days, Lithuania PM Says
Posted by: librul | Feb 10 2022 21:29 utc | 72
Liz Truss is sadly a nobody representing nothing of any substance, destined to be entirely forgotten by history.
Let’s not waste time on her. Neither should Lavrov. The stupid have a way of dragging the spirit down.
Posted by: Moses22 | Feb 10 2022 21:30 utc | 73
"...My bad regarding the ambassador, memory is not what it once was. I went back to try to find where that info came from, but notes are gone.. I did read it in an authoritative source at the time."
Les7l@54
Are you perhaps referring to the British envoy to Russia- who took the slow boat, a freighter I believe, to discuss possible military co-operation between the USSR and the UK in 1939?
He was, I believe called Admiral Drax. Stalin sent him home when he found out that Drax was just there to appease people like Churchill in Britain and had no powers to negotiate.
This clever ploy, also by a Tory government, led directly to the Ribbentrop Molotov Pact and the attack on Poland.
Posted by: bevin | Feb 10 2022 21:30 utc | 74
When a dog barks at you, don't get angry at the dog. Aim your revenge across the Atlantic Ocean.
British will go down when its master falls - guaranteed.
Posted by: d dan | Feb 10 2022 21:32 utc | 75
Posted by: Aslangeo | Feb 10 2022 21:21 utc | 70:
I’ve even thought of a nickname for myself, ‘The Gorgeous Metal Lady’.
Gorgeous!!! So, she does have THE LOOKS, huh?
I don't know, man. May be it's just a matter of taste. Drats!!!
Posted by: Oriental Voice | Feb 10 2022 21:33 utc | 76
@actually | Feb 10 2022 20:40 utc | 65
Major Scott Ritter (US ret), former arms inspector and Russia hand, gave a very informative interview on Consortium News a few days back in which he described the decision making process within Russia. In that interview he pointed out that the State is run by a vast bureaucracy that carefully analyzes information and creates policy.
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/02/02/watch-new-cn-live-a-bear-trap-in-ukraine/
So the claim that Russia is an authoritarian state is not quite true. IMHO it is an oligarchy, much as the US, but is over its imperial moment. As such it is not currently suffering the consequences of declaring themselves the "creators of reality" and masters of the universe.
One such consequence of being a hegemon is there is no art of diplomacy, only orders, and the purveyors of such are not required to be professionally competent, but only able to loyally delivering the edicts and excelling in the art of self promotion. The latter is because there is no way to properly evaluate their competence and promote them accordingly.
As a side note, that within the US State Department they rotate their diplomatic staff every five years to assure staffers do not go native, nor have any knowledge of their assignments.
Posted by: Michael.j | Feb 10 2022 21:34 utc | 77
@ Helen | Feb 10 2022 21:27 utc | 71 who is sad that the UK is dancing to the US tune
I beg to differ with you and posit that there is an international group that are playing lots of countries....how is your country within a country, City of London Corp?
I am more in agreement actually with | Feb 10 2022 20:40 utc | 65 above who ended with
"
One can mock/decry Western system for various historic failings, but an honest analysis will need to ask what precisely has granted the West such a long run as the global overlords. The secret sauce of the West is precisely that it is controlled by a core group and no single individual.
"
This group owes no allegiance to countries, but to their global levers of private finance, BIS, SWIFT, IMF, World Bank, US Fed, City of London Corp., etc.
We are in a civilization war because China will not give up its sovereign powers of finance to the private God of Mammon cult in the West.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 10 2022 21:36 utc | 78
psychohistorian
A group for sure, but an anglo group as this is about anglo dominance. Lavrov calls them the anglosaxons, partly I think, due to the imperial mindset.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Feb 10 2022 21:45 utc | 79
Of course, relations can only be normalised through dialogue based on mutual respect and equality, recognition of each other’s legitimate interests and a search for mutually acceptable solutions.Ideologically charged approaches, ultimatums, threats and moralising is a road to nowhere. Regrettably, many of our Western colleagues are using this form in their public activities. I do not see this as diplomacy.
Sounds exactly like Canadian politics over CoVid1984.
Posted by: Mann Friedmann | Feb 10 2022 22:01 utc | 80
I keep seeing the name, (and the opinions) of Alex Mercouris being cited here as an authority whose views are worth listening too, so I googled him.
He was is a disbarred British lawyer who admitted five counts of ( among other things) forgery, attempting to misleading the Courts, andfalse accusations of corruption against a Judge.
Apparently his defense was, he was having a nervous breakdown at the time.
Make of that what you will..
Posted by: DaveGood | Feb 10 2022 22:06 utc | 81
So, I take it from all this that she is a shoe-in to be the next UK Prime Minister?
Posted by: Yeah, Right | Feb 10 2022 22:10 utc | 82
Russian transcript of press conference. Lavrov's opening paragraph is quite telling:
"We held the first stage of our negotiations, the main stage. Relations between Russia and the UK, to put it mildly, leave much to be desired. They're probably at their lowest point in years. It's not our fault. I will not dwell on this in detail. I just want to say that we are in favor of normalizing our relations, for improving them, for returning to the track of constructive development. Of course, this is possible only on the basis of the principles of equality, respect for each other's interests, and consideration of these interests. Selectivity, imposition of any conditions, ultimatums, threats - this is all a road to nowhere. The relationship should be a 'two-way street'." [My Emphasis]
The bolded text is Lavrov's way of saying that conditions are the exact opposite of what they ought to be. He then says "If we act on the basis of national interests ... then a good example is set." But that clearly isn't the case. A similar situation exists with most other EU/NATO nations where the national interests or business/trade milieu is exceptionally healthy despite the pandemic versus the political environment. The various business and trade forums held yearly in Russia prove that point beyond doubt.
Further along we encounter Lavrov's musings about "NATOcentrism," which he sees as a key "indoctrination" related to western thought. Here is the key passage:
"It was explained in detail today that the Russian armed forces (to which Ms. Minister referred, cause concern in London) are on their own territory. Unlike the hundreds of thousands of British troops stationed in the Baltics. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that they should be sent to Romania and Bulgaria. To this, the answer was that Russia is on its territory, and they are also on 'their own', because all are members of NATO.
"This 'NATO-centrism' permeated today's conversation. It was useful for me to understand how indoctrinated our colleagues approach the consideration of security problems on the European continent, how selfishly from the position of 'NATOcentrism' they approach Russia's legitimate concerns in the sphere of their own security, how selectively they interpret their osce commitments on the indivisibility of security. There's a whole package in one powerful paragraph. The right of each state to choose allies and alliances is recognized. At the same time, it is noted the obligation of each State not to strengthen its security at the expense of the security of others. Respect for the policy of neutrality, the inadmissibility of a situation where one country, group of states or an organization will dominate the OSCE area, the inadmissibility of spheres of influence in the European space are emphasized. Numerous examples were given of how such spheres of influence are arbitrarily established by NATO, the European Union. The EU says there is 'nothing for the Russians to do' in the Balkans (as there is in Africa), and the U.S. even appoints an ambassador-at-large to reform Bosnia and Herzegovina's electoral laws. Isn't that a sphere of influence? Is it a claim that the United States will lead all processes in the Balkans? In my opinion, this is an obvious fact." [My Emphasis]
I don't think it's ever been as clear before that the Outlaws intend to have their cake and eat it too and damn the consequences. The prevarication is so Clintonian. Lavrov's final paragraph prior to questions is vital as it foreshadows what's to come from the Outlaws:
"We answered Truss's questions about what we are doing with Belarus and what our plans are. All this looks like a unilateral approach based on irreparable confidence that the West has the right to demand some guarantees from us in a situation where no one promises us any guarantees. This very revealing discussion will, unfortunately, be reproduced in responses to our requests for the West's understanding of the principle of the indivisibility of security. We expect them from all countries of the OSCE area. As I heard, instead of answers honestly, from each country, the European Union wants to make a collective paper where all the nuances of national positions will be leveled [erased]. I am convinced that in this case we will not be able to talk. We will think about how to get out of this situation."
The Q&A that follows is also very revealing. I'll be commenting on them next.
Five Blind Eyes
See How They Run...
Personally I think mediocre is too charitable for the confederacy of dunces that permeate elite leadership roles in 'the west' and who unwittingly work toward human extinction.
Posted by: gottlieb | Feb 10 2022 22:15 utc | 84
@ Mann Friedmann | Feb 10 2022 22:10 utc | 82... good ot post! i wish more joggers would figure what you figured out!
Posted by: james | Feb 10 2022 22:19 utc | 85
What we see here is Truss insulting Russia.
This should be a major concern for everyone,
The UK has just publicly insulted one of Russias most powerful men, and done so on a most public stage.
An age old custom challenging your oponent to a duel.
This is what was intended and this is how it will be received by Russia.
'The gauntlet has been thrown down'
We can assume we are at war.
Not Russia and its nabour Ukraine but on UK turf. This war has been started by the US and UK, end of story.
Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 10 2022 22:21 utc | 86
pah, Anglo this, Anglo that. The Anglos are nothing but a ragtag band of Germanic climate refugees feasting on an unguarded post-Roman Britain. It's those Normans who are really the dark power that moves behind it all. British and US foreign policy is in my opinion precisely the Norman M.O. Nobody ever mentions the Normans, why do you think that is?
Posted by: Lonkal | Feb 10 2022 22:21 utc | 87
@ karlof1 | Feb 10 2022 22:11 utc | 84... thanks karl... very informative.. i look forward to your additional commentary...
Posted by: james | Feb 10 2022 22:26 utc | 88
All the different varieties of small missiles being sent to Country 404 are obsolete and of no use for the type of warfare that Russia would employ. And Russia is not falling into any trap.. This is more like an inventory clearance sale than an escalation..
Posted by: oldhippie | Feb 10 2022 22:33 utc | 89
Russia has the military component and enough trade with Europe to cause it damage if that were suddenly cut off, with far less damage to Russia. China is the economic/trade super power and a smaller military component.
An interesting scenario would be for Russia and China to simultaneously cut all trade and dump all US dollars. For China, suddenly cutting all trade to the US west would hurt, but I think they would survive.
US dept is 124%of GDP, crumbling infrastructure and many domestic issues. The old saying “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”. When it comes to trade, China has the US by the short and curlies.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Feb 10 2022 22:40 utc | 90
@DaveGood #81 Alex Mercouris is very eloquent, well informed and fun to listen to. I can’t wait for his videos, and I don’t care what Google is saying against him.
Posted by: Milos | Feb 10 2022 22:42 utc | 91
DaveGood | 67
"Cool! this will look great on Ebay!"
Mishkin and Chepiga may be interested.
Posted by: Keith McClary | Feb 10 2022 22:58 utc | 92
Apologies to the RoW from at least this Brit.
We still live in this James Bondian fantasy of From Russia with love.
You know , we can best the Russians with a bon mote or a smart arse gadget.
It is thoroughly idiotic. As is the fantasy wicked witch who thinks she is the prettiest of them all , a veritable Julie Christie from Dr Zhivago in the icy snows, Liz ‘fucking’ Truss! I bet she was expecting to pose in a sleigh.
Anyway as Bozo does his Churchill act he is being manoeuvred to Alan exit - even John Major has come back to berate him. His precursor May has shown displeasure. Just waiting for his Bullingdon buddies to turn on one of their very on Eton childhood friends.
The schizophrenia being induced into the British population by such great WurlitzerIsm is so head spinning it can only lead to a fragmentation of all our certainties. We are being whipped towards fascism as in all 5 eyes.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Feb 10 2022 22:59 utc | 93
@87 Quite right. The Anglo-Saxons have been serfs since 1066. Normans built castles and took over Britain. The British aristocracy is Norman to this day.
Posted by: dh | Feb 10 2022 23:02 utc | 94
Liz effing Truss by the way is closely associated with the Arbuthnot’s , one of whom is the gangster judge who has conspired to jail and deport Julian Assange.
As Craig Murray’s recent post have pointed out the Establishment works like that.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Feb 10 2022 23:03 utc | 95
Liz Truss has invited Lavrov to visit UK during the next few months !!!
Wonder if he will accept the invite ?
Posted by: Bigben | Feb 10 2022 23:05 utc | 96
""...The Socialist government of l945, which in domestic affairs must have been nearly the worst that a war-weary country, in need of reinvigoration, could have received..." Paul@38
There was much wrong with the 1945 government. But its domestic policies- wide ranging nationalisation of utilities and the 'commanding heights' of the economy, combined with an imaginative programme of social renewal, including the NHS- was of such utility and popularity that it has taken successive neo-liberal governments (aided by treacherous oppositions) more than seventy years to dismantle it. In the meantime it has been used as a model by many western European and other countries.
Posted by: bevin | Feb 10 2022 23:16 utc | 97
"the hundreds of thousands of British troops stationed in the Baltics.'
That must be 'hundreds or thousands". The last I heard the British Army couldn't find any spare capacity, except of course in Brigade 77, the trolling and disinformation unit.
Posted by: bevin | Feb 10 2022 23:23 utc | 98
Greg Galloway | Feb 10 2022 15:55 utc | 5
It is understandable that Liz Truss, currently the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom would confuse unknown places like Voronezh or Rostov with, say, Zhitomir or Vinnitsia.
Who wouldn't?
I expect Serguei Shoigu might do the very same tiny mistake soon enough!
You must be really thick! No one but an Anglo-American "diplomat" would make such an elementary mistake! If anyone else did not know where was being referred to, they would say so. It's not a tiny mistake, it's a total exposure of herself as pig-ignorant and cocky with it. It is absolutely an exposure of the utter contempt the British ruling class has for everyone else.
Posted by: foolisholdman | Feb 10 2022 23:27 utc | 99
foolisholdman @ 100
That utter contempt is not exclusive to the British ruling class. That is the hallmark of the ruling class period.
Posted by: Digital Spartacus | Feb 10 2022 23:33 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
Agreed,
(And I'm British).
Posted by: DaveGood | Feb 10 2022 15:39 utc | 1