bignoseduglyguy

A request too far

John Allen Muhammad has been convicted as the sniper who terrorised the Maryland and Virginia environs of Washington DC just over a year ago.

In a statement at the time, Bush said that the world was sickened by "senseless acts of violence". He further commited funds and specialists "to assist [those] affected by the violence by providing counseling" and applauded those who were "working around the clock to help solve these heinous crimes and protect our citizens." From this, it might be fair to conclude that he was saddened by the shootings, the loss of life amongst US citizens and resolute in his determination to bring the perpetrator to trial.

Fourteen months on and it seems that he and his "entourage" do not hold the sanctity of British lives in quite such high esteem. Just hours ahead of Air Force One kissing Heathrow's tarmac, a forward party of spooks and shadowy types have been making some extraordinary demands of the Home Office. These include the closure of the Tube network, a series of road closures in central London, a 'sterile' security cordon, the use of US air force fighters, Black Hawk helicopters and battlefield weaponry against demonstrators - essentially that the President's visit should be policed entirely by American special agents and military. However, even these pale into insignificance when viewed against their 'shoot-to-kill' demand. That Bush and his administration should seek diplomatic immunity for any armed American special agents and snipers in the event of the accidental shooting of a protester is beyond comprehension.

I can't help wonder if, perhaps, the number of friendly fire incidents visited upon UK forces by US military units during this year's Gulf conflict prompted the request for immunity. The crushing irony for me is that it is the same armed forces that trained John Allen Muhammad to kill with such dreadful skill and efficiency. Tonight, my thoughts go out to those who have lost loved ones through violent crime at home, whilst serving their country abroad or demonstrating for peace in our world.