UK blasts PA ploy over Christmas card...

[cantwealljustgetalong]

A diplomatic row has erupted between the Palestinian Authority and Downing Street over a letter of greetings British Prime Minister Tony Blair is said to have sent to PA Chairman Yasser Arafat.

Last week the PA's official news agency, Wafa, reported that Blair, like many world leaders, had extended Christmas greetings to Arafat. Blair's purported message included the wish that Palestinians "realize their hopes in establishing an independent Palestinian state," Wafa said.

But Downing Street said it was unaware of any Christmas greetings being sent to Arafat by Blair.

A spokeswoman for Blair in London said: "We are not aware of such a message being sent, so I'm not sure what they're reporting, to be honest. The prime minister doesn't usually send out messages at this time of the year. It is not something that we do. I'm afraid we're not aware of any specific message being sent."

The denial has embarrassed the Palestinian leadership, which on Saturday issued a statement retracting the original story. The statement, carried by Wafa, said: "Before we say anything, we wish to apologize for making a mistake by reporting that Mr. Blair had sent a cable of greetings to President Arafat in which he expresses his hope that the Palestinian people would realize their hopes of establishing an independent Palestinian state."

...

In Ramallah, a senior PA official described the British denial as "tasteless." He said Arafat was upset with the way the British prime minister chose to deal with the issue. "There was no need for such a strong denial, because we are talking about greetings, not political statements," he added.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1072587528176&p=1008596981749

[drdon326]

1. lol

"He said Arafat was upset with the way the British prime minister chose to deal with the issue."

mostly upset about getting caught.