Lawmakers start to ponder Iraq factor in UK bombs

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5941211&cKey=1121270759000

LONDON (Reuters) - Tony Blair has won broad support for his handling of London bombings, but may soon face scrutiny over a question striking at the heart of his premiership; were the deadly attacks triggered by Britain's role in Iraq? In the immediate aftermath of bus and underground railway attacks that killed at least 52, only mavericks like firebrand George Galloway dared criticize the prime minister, airing arguments many would prefer not to hear.

Galloway, thrown out of Blair's Labour party only to enter parliament as an independent, said invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq had fed hatred throughout the world's Islamic communities. snip

Now Charles Kennedy, head of Britain's Liberal Democrats who always opposed the Iraq war, has explored the same theme.

"I am not here implying some causal link between Britain's involvement in Iraq and the terrible terrorist attacks in London last week," he said by way of qualification in a speech.

But he went on: "Those like President Bush and Tony Blair, who have sought to link Iraq with the so-called 'war on terror' can hardly be surprised when members of the public draw the same link when acts of terrorism occur here in the United Kingdom."

[whistle]

1. No connection if this is a Pakistani muslim terror group

....the hatred of Britain by Pakistanis (former Colonial Indian muslims) goes back to the beginning of British occupation of India in the nineteenth century. Actually, there is a whole thing that's been going on in the Kashmir region between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India with the Brits and the muslim factions, so this is starting to gel a bit now. The issue is not over Iraq, but over the territory of Kashmir and the muslims want control, while the British keep exerting influence and military terror to keep the status quo. Here are some links:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/355280.stm

http://www.ummah.org.uk/kashmir/

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/indindx.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2002/01/09/kashmir-qna-usat.htm

British politics has been the snake in the grass on this conflict for over 160 years. It is no surprise that today young radical Pakistani Muslims might begin vengeance bombings when so much other turmoil is happening.

[CJCRANE]

2. But Pakistanis have been living in Britain for decades

IMHO it is most probably linked to Iraq as the motivator/final straw.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. That would be vengeance for what happened 60 years ago

Your links show no influence of Britain over the region now. All they mention is that Britain has proposed, along with others, UN troops; and has sold arms to both sides.

It seem fairly unlikely that this was their prime motivation. It's not as if it's the topic on everyones lips. If they wanted vengeance for the disposal of Kashmir, they would have made it clear.

[heidler1]

4. The Mid-East mess will never be solved until we get honest answers

from our own Government as to what the Muslims are pissed about. I can think of many reasons, but are they real and are we willing to deal them.

[bennywhale]

5. Its funny when someone learns something new and posts it as an explanation

to impress other DUers. It is obvious that you have little if any knowledge of Kashmir and the conflict there. It is also obvious that you believe in making ridiculous statements.

"It is no wonder that radical Pakistani muslims might begin vengeance bombings..."

So due to a disputed area (over which the Kashmiris themselves, a mix of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim want sovereignty) thousands of miles away young lads from Leeds whose parents are from Pakistan (NOT KASHMIR) blow up themselves and 50 others.

Thats your explanation? And that "shouldn't surprise us"