Al-Maliki's new national unity government was sworn in Saturday and the prime minister pledged to used all means necessary, including "maximum force" to restore stability and security.

"The important thing is that for the first time we have a government of national unity that crosses all boundaries and divides, that is there for a four year term and that it's directly elected by the votes of millions of Iraqi people," Blair said at a news conference with al-Maliki, who took office on Saturday.

The new government came after months of negotiations following the December 15 elections and is made up of Shiites, Sunni Arabs and Kurds.

"There is now no vestige of excuse for anyone to carry on with terrorism or bloodshed," Blair added. "If the worry of people is that they may be excluded from the political process, we now have Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds in the leadership.

"If the worry of people is the presence of the multinational forces, it is the violence that keeps us here. It is the peace that allows us to go," Blair added.

Blair eyes troop pullout by 2010

Mon May 22, 2006 - By Katherine Baldwin and Fredrik Dahl - BAGHDAD (Reuters) -

The new Iraqi prime minister said on Monday his forces could be in charge in most of Iraq by December and officials with visiting Prime Minister Tony Blair said all foreign troops may be gone within four years. Demonstrating support for Nuri al-Maliki by flying in two days after a national unity government of Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurds was sworn in, Blair would not be drawn on deadlines.

"What we want to see in Iraq is a sovereign and independent nation ... with Iraqis in control of every aspect, including their security," Blair told a news conference.

Maliki said two British-run provinces in the south could be handed to Iraqi security forces next month and a statement by the two governments issued afterwards said: "By the end of this year, responsibility for much of Iraq's territorial security should have been transferred to Iraqi control."

The United States says it is too soon to discuss a timetable for pulling out its 133,000 troops, which suffer daily casualties three years after it invaded to oust Saddam Hussein.

Two bomb attacks killed nine people in Baghdad to underline a new warning from Maliki that Iraq faces civil war if his government fails to rein in "militias" -- generally code for armed groups run by fellow Shi'ite Islamists in his cabinet.

Washington and London count on the tough-talking Maliki, who has pledged "maximum force against terrorists", to start tackling widespread guerrilla and sectarian violence.

They hope that the participation of the once politically dominant Sunni Arab minority in his government will help defuse an insurgency that erupted after the U.S.-led invasion.

"NEW BEGINNING"

The installation after months of sectarian argument of Iraq's first full-term government since 2003 has focussed attention on plans for pulling out some 150,000 foreign troops, which include a 7,000-strong British military presence.

"It's been longer and harder than any of us would have wanted it to be, but this is a new beginning," said Blair, who has spent much political capital on the controversial war.

A senior British official accompanying him said London hoped all but some non-combatant foreign soldiers could be withdrawn by the time of the next Iraqi election in late 2009, provided the country moved in the right direction.

"The aim is to take Iraq to a position where the multinational force is able to withdraw during its (the government's) period in office," the official said.

It was the firmest statement yet from one of the two main allies in the invasion of Iraq on a date for pulling out troops.

Maliki said overall control of security in most of Iraq's 18 provinces could gradually pass into Iraqi hands by end-2006. Only Baghdad and the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Anbar in the west might remain under U.S. command, he suggested.

Security expert Magnus Ranstorp of the Swedish National Defence College said this plan appeared optimistic. "I don't think it is entirely realistic that (Iraqi security forces) will become so effective in such a short time," he said by phone.

DEATH SQUADS

Maliki, keen to show Iraqis that their new government can bring independence and security, acknowledged that 325,000 Iraqi troops and police due to be recruited by December would need further training. In a sign of the intensity of sectarian disputes, he has yet to name interior and defence ministers to control his forces. He hopes to do so in the coming days. Sunni and foreign accusations that the Shi'ite-dominated police have been running murder and kidnap squads have poisoned communal relations.

Maliki warned that a failure to end the practice of major political parties controlling militia forces would be disastrous. "Weapons should be in the hands of the government ... Otherwise this will lead to the introduction of civil war."

Iraqis desperately want their new government to succeed in restoring some sense of normality in a country where suicide bombings and kidnappings have become part of daily life.

But some doubted its chances of halting the bloodshed.

"Does it matter who is in power? How can they protect us when they can be killed themselves?" said Mudhafar Naeem, a baggage handler at Baghdad airport who risks death by insurgents by working at a government-run facility.

A few hundred metres (yards) from where Blair and Maliki met in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, Saddam was again on trial for his life on charges of crimes against humanity. The hearing began in uproar when guards manhandled a Lebanese defence attorney from the court. She threw off her black court robe, amid angry exchanges with the judge. Among witnesses, one of Saddam's half-brothers, Sabbawi Ibrahim, spoke in defence of the former president and another half-brother, Barzan, who is in dock alongside him.

(Additional reporting by Alastair Macdonald, Mariam Karouny and Michael Georgy in Baghdad and Tabassum Zakaria in Washington)

Blair flies to Bush's side to mount strong defence of Iraq invasion

By Andrew Grice, Political Editor Published: 22 May 2006 - independent.co.uk

Tony Blair will mount a strong defence of his actions over Iraq when he travels to Washington for talks with President George Bush later this week.

The Prime Minister will appeal to his critics to look at his record in a different light after the formation of an Iraqi government. He will say the war in Iraq was in line with an interventionist or "activist approach" to foreign policy he also pursued in Kosovo and Sierra Leone, which enjoyed greater public support.

He will also say it was consistent with his policies on the Middle East, Africa and climate change.

Mr Blair will say he floated the idea of humanitarian interventionism, dubbed "liberal imperialism" by some of his advisers, in a speech in Chicago in 1999.

In the last of three speeches on foreign policy, Mr Blair will call for reform of the United Nations, saying that today's international institutions were designed for the Cold War era.

He believes that the UN's failure to approve a fresh resolution authorising military action in Iraq in 2003 showed that the organisation shies away from rather than confronts problems.

The Prime Minister believes that the formation of the Iraqi government provides an opportunity for him to answer critics who believe the war had little to do with promoting the democratic values he espouses.

Although he hopes the new government in Baghdad marks a turning point in Iraq's fortunes, aides accepted yesterday that a long haul still lies ahead as the country remains racked by sectarian conflict and terrorism. "It is difficult, it will continue to be difficult," one government source said.

President Bush and Mr Blair will discuss a timetable for withdrawing US and British troops from Iraq but are likely to be cautious in their public statements about it. They will pledge to stay until they have "finished the job".

The two leaders, who have seen their opinion poll ratings slump as they serve their final terms, will also discuss Russia, the Middle East and Iran's nuclear plans.

Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, played down the prospects for an early withdrawal of British troops from Iraq. She said there was no question of "cutting and running" and the troops would remain as long as they were needed to assist the Iraqi government.

She told the BBC's Sunday AM programme that the handover to Iraqi forces would be considered on a "case-by-case" basis as the security situation in cities and provinces was considered. "It is dangerous in this kind of situation to set artificial deadlines," she said. "Things will go forward as it seems sensible and safe to do so. We have said for a long time that the British troops will stay there - and the coalition troops will stay there - while there is a job that needs to be done."

Lord Owen, a former Labour foreign secretary, attacked the "sheer damned incompetence" of the US/UK mission in Iraq and accused Mr Blair of trying to act as his own foreign secretary and defence secretary by moving the people who held those posts in the Cabinet reshuffle.

He told GMTV's Sunday programme: "That's what landed us in the mess we're in in Iraq and it's an utter folly to believe that a Prime Minister can handle the day-to-day issues which are so complex in Iraq and Iran."

British Land is Europe's largest quoted property company by assets, owning and managing some £18 billion of prime real estate, primarily in the UK Retail and London Office sectors.

Now who are the benefit cheats?

Gulliver | 25.05.2006 14:17 | Nottinghamshire |Indymedia

Last month the Chancellor introduced a new measure to allow the establishment of 'Real Estate Investment Trusts'. Trusts, unlike companies don't have to pay corporation tax.

Now British Land, who own and trade in huge amount of private land including many City offices and out of town shopping sites have, under this new legislation, changed their status from a company to a Trust.

They hold about £18.5 billion in property and have an annual turnover of about £4.8 billion.

As a Trust they can now avoid paying £341million in tax each year!

Their shares rose by 44p on news of this (the greedy bastards).

This at a time when the Government is prepared to spend billions on the ID and National Identity Register scheme to catch those who need fiddle a bit out of the benefits system just to keep some sort of life going.

British Land completes £753m superstore refinancing at average interest rate of less than 5%

28/02/2006 - britishland.com

The British Land Company PLC ('British Land') has today completed the £753 million refinancing of its securitised superstore portfolio.

As a result of the transaction, BL Superstores Finance PLC has issued £753 million of bonds at an average interest rate of 4.96%. The weighted average life of the new bonds is 13.4 years.

After recent significant property disposals and the repayment of bank facilities British Land has closed out derivatives in order to maintain, in line with its interest rate policy, an appropriate balance of fixed and floating rate debt.

These actions result in British Land's interest charge reducing by £11 million per annum. The Company will incur an exceptional accounting charge against pre-tax profits in the final quarter of its financial year ending 31 March 2006 of some £122 million. The weighted average cost of debt is reduced from 5.92% to 5.67% on a proforma basis as of 31 December 2005 with weighted average debt maturity unchanged at 13.7 years. Adjusted NAV is reduced by 16 pence per share, NNNAV by 2 pence per share.

Compare: Carlyle Group - Real estate Investment Approach

Carlyle has more than 400 corporate and real estate investments in their global portfolio

In the United States, Carlyle Realty Partners focuses primarily on major metropolitan markets, seeking investments in the office, hotel, industrial, and retail sectors. "Our objective is a swift return of capital to our investors," says Rob Stuckey, head of Carlyle's U.S. team. "We've built a team with deep expertise in spotting undervalued properties in our target markets." In fact, the team has generated strong realized returns: Its 59 realized transactions have generated profits and cash flow of more than $700 million.

In Europe, the establishment of a unified European economic zone opens significant opportunities with the prospect for cross-border transactions. "New capital is entering the markets," says Carlyle's Eric Sasson. "Major corporations are seeking to divest real estate assets, heightening activity throughout Europe." Taking advantage of these opportunities, Carlyle's local teams of investment professionals, with strong connections to European real estate and corporate communities, are actively seeking properties in primary target markets France, Italy, and Germany as well as strong secondary markets.

In Asia, the economic growth forecasts are projected to be some of the highest in the world. As many countries continue to be under pressure to implement economic reforms from the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Carlyle takes advantage of the inefficiencies in the real estate and capital markets. In early 2002, Carlyle tasked a team of real estate investment professionals to explore investment opportunities in the Asian market. The team, drawing on a strong knowledge of local and global capital markets, has acquired office buildings in Seoul, Korea and Tokyo, Japan, and continues to expand its operations with a focus in Korea, Japan and China.

The Carlyle Group and Skelton Group Launch £750 Million U.K. Property Joint Venture

March 10, 2006 London, U.K. - the carlyle group.com

Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group and developer Skelton Group today announce they have formed a £750 million joint venture vehicle called Carlyle Skelton Development Group ("CSD") to acquire and develop property throughout the U.K.

Carlyle Skelton Development Group will be able to invest approximately £750 million in U.K. real estate of which £150 million will be equity from The Carlyle Group and Skelton.

The joint venture plans to acquire a wide range of opportunities and investments with substantial development potential across all sectors, including both commercial and residential.

Carlyle and Skelton have been working closely over the past 12 months and have acquired two central London buildings for development - a 58,000 sq ft office building in Waterloo with hotel development potential, and a freehold 41,000 sq ft office building in Hay Hill, Mayfair also with potential for redevelopment.

Both schemes will be included in the new joint venture vehicle which, together with two further retail development properties currently under contract, will take the overall end day value of CSD, initially, from £120m to £225m.

The Carlyle Group is a global private equity firm with seven real estate funds totalling $4 billion of committed capital. In Europe, Carlyle manages two real estate funds totalling €1.2 billion and focuses on off market opportunities primarily in office, logistics, retail properties, as well as hotel and residential. Carlyle has invested extensively across France, Germany, Italy, U.K., Spain, Belgium and the Nordic countries.

In the U.K., Carlyle has acquired three development opportunities: in 107 Cheapside, London, and a 64 acre brownfield site in Cumbernauld, Scotland, and 11/19 Monument Street, in addition to the CSD investments. The team has a proactive and highly selective approach to acquisitions and asset management investing in both existing structures and land for development.

Robert Hodges, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group said: "The creation of the Carlyle Skelton Development Group provides us with a strong team to build on our UK investment platform where we see many interesting opportunities.

"The team will combine an effective development management expertise with a strong capital base enabling us to move quickly in the market. Our existing investments with Skelton, which form the initial base of the joint venture, are proving to be very promising, and we look forward to growing this business."

Skelton was formed five years ago by Duncan Moss with the backing of a private family trust. Since that time it has grown significantly and produced very high return on capital. Skelton currently has a £120 million development portfolio and £100 million of investment properties.

Duncan Moss, Chairman of Skelton commented, "The joint venture with Carlyle is a great opportunity to take Skelton to the next business level and expand our development activities alongside a truly global player. It enables us to be involved in larger schemes than might otherwise have been possible and allows us to leverage off Carlyle's substantial capital base while fully exploiting Skelton's development skills and expertise."

The investment board of the Carlyle Skelton Developments Group will comprise Robert Hodges and Eric Sasson of The Carlyle Group and Duncan Moss, Chairman of Skelton and Kurt Little, Managing Director.

Parliament Protestor Brian Haw abused, property & pictures seized

On Monday the 8th, the state won their appeal against the decision that the repressive new SOCPA legislation could not be applied reactively to the protest which Brian Haw has been staging on Parliament Square for almost 5 years.

Since Monday there has been sporadic police activity at the site of the protest, and the police have sought to impose conditions on Brian and co-protestor Alex.

Indymedia

Police said there were allegations Mr Haw had breached legal conditions

Anti-war signs seized by police Tuesday, 23 May 2006 - BBC NEWS Police have removed placards from peace activist Brian Haw at the scene of his five-year vigil outside Parliament. Officers went to Parliament Square in the early hours of Tuesday to deal with alleged breaches of Mr Haw's demonstration conditions. Mr Haw, 56, from Worcestershire, said he will fast in protest at the action. Earlier this month Court of Appeal judges overturned a ruling that allowed him to carry out his protest, which he began in June 2001.

Mr Haw said: "It seems I am going to die in this place now because I'm going to be fasting and praying. "They have left me with just one placard. All of my personal belongings have been taken and dumped in a container along with nearly all the displays. "They have completely destroyed all the expressions of people who opposed the war in Iraq. "What gives them the legal right to remove 40 metres of evidence of genocide and reduce it to just three metres?" Police overpowered two supporters who had climbed on top of a metal container at the side of the square to blow whistles and wave a banner declaring 'Freedom of expression over political repression'. A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said officers removed the placards at 0235 BST over claims that Mr Haw had continually breached conditions of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

She said: "This action follows a number of requests to the applicant to adhere to the conditions, which he has failed to comply with." The legislation bans unauthorised protests within a 1km zone of Parliament Square and requires any permitted protests to cover no more than three metres. It was brought in last year with the specific intent of forcing Mr Haw to abandon his post. But so far, it is only placards that have been moved, not Mr Haw himself. It is understood that any decision on eviction may be decided at Bow Street Magistrates' Court next Tuesday when he will face allegations that he breached protest conditions. In the meantime, Mr Haw plans to petition the Law Lords directly in an attempt to take his case further. Mr Haw has slept in Parliament Square among a large display of anti-war banners, placards and flags, many presented to him by well-wishers. But such a permanent fixture proved an irritant to his neighbours in the House of Commons.

Police overpowered two of Brian Haw's supporters

Nine arrested as police launch nationwide anti-terror crackdown

Scotsman - 24th may 2006 - NINE people were arrested today in a massive nationwide anti- terror operation involving more than 500 police officers.

Police carried out a string of co-ordinated early morning raids at addresses across five different force areas.

Properties in Manchester, Merseyside, Middlesbrough, the West Midlands and the London area were being searched with warrants under the Terrorism Act.

Greater Manchester Police's anti-terrorism unit, which led this morning's raids, said the "extensive" operation was targeted at individuals suspected of "facilitating terrorism abroad".

It is understood that the operation is focusing on terrorist activity in Iraq. It was not clear whether this refers to travelling abroad to fight jihad.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd said there was no threat of an attack on this country.

Mr Todd said: "We are not talking today about a direct threat to the UK. We are talking about the facilitation of terrorism overseas. That could include funding, providing support and encouragement to terrorists." He added: "We have been gathering intelligence, together with our security service colleagues, for at least a year, looking at the funding and support of terrorist activities overseas."

One man was arrested in Merseyside and the remaining seven were held in Manchester. Police would not disclose where the ninth arrest was made. One of the suspects was later released without charge.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said the arrests were part of a continuing operation by the Immigration Service and the police but refused to give any further details.

those 2 stories in a different context

Bush gives way over stealth fighter

By Stephen Fidler - Published: May 26 2006 - FT Com

George W. Bush on Friday threw his support behind Tony Blair over an issue that has clouded US-UK relations.

Mr Bush said Britain should have access to sensitive US technology contained in a high profile joint strike fighter project.

Britain has threatened to pull out of the $250bn (£134bn) Joint Strike Fighter programme - the world's largest arms project - if it did not have access to US technologies that would let it maintain, operate and upgrade the aircraft independent of the US.

The president's show of support came at the end of a visit to Washington by Mr Blair, during which Mr Bush repeatedly praised him and dismissed the idea that the prime minister was a lame duck.

The president's move on the JSF arguably provided a more tangible reward for Mr Blair, who had personally raised the issue with him. Many British politicians saw US resistance to sharing the aircraft technology as a poor response to the strong UK backing for Washington in Iraq and elsewhere.

A joint statement from the two leaders said: "Both governments agree that the UK will have the ability to successfully operate, upgrade, employ and maintain the Joint Strike Fighter such that the UK retains operational sovereignty over the aircraft."

The wording echoes almost precisely that used by Lord Drayson, the defence procurement minister, when he lobbied for technology sharing before a Senate committee in March.

Britain tentatively plans to order 150 of the short take-off and landing version of the aircraft, and has already committed $2bn to development costs.

The statement provides support for the UK's position as it negotiates a production agreement with the US. A memorandum of understanding with the Pentagon is expected to be negotiated by the end of the year.

"We are very encouraged by the personal commitment shown by the president on JSF," said a Ministry of Defence official. "However, there is still some way to go to fully resolve technology transfer issues."

US officials had already said they hoped for a solution that would allow sharing. But there is an obstacle posed by members of Congress who worry that US secrets may leak out from Britain. In a response to these fears, the statement said both governments "agree to protect sensitive technologies" in the programme.

Relations between the two countries over the programme, which could produce as many as 2,400 aircraft, deteriorated this year when the Pentagon cut development of a second engine without warning the UK.

MPs slam Blair on trade

27 Apr 2006 - Source: Christian Aid - via alertnet.org

Christian Aid today applauded a new parliamentary report that blamed the UK government for breaking its promise by continuing to force poor countries to liberalise their economies.

The UK stands accused of backtracking on pledges made last year to stop forcing poor countries to liberalise trade through trade negotiations. The UK has supported the EU in its hard line negotiating stance with developing countries in the WTO.

Dr Claire Melamed, Christian Aids head of trade policy, said that the World Trade Organisation which had been discussing a new trade round had missed another deadline because of the EUs refusal to make concessions to poor countries without first demanding harsh conditions in return.

'Peter Mandelson is refusing to make any changes to the scandalous agricultural subsidy regime unless developing countries throw open their industrial and services sectors, effectively ending any possibility of development in those sectors. And now we know from the International Development Committees report that the UK must bear some of the blame for this failure.

'Despite all its pro-development rhetoric, the Committee accuses the UK government of not standing up to Commissioner Mandelson and insisting that the EU do what it must to make the "development round" a reality. Instead, they are allowing the EU to hold the talks hostage.

'The UK government is dining out in London on the kudos of apparently opposing the EUs indefensible position, while still supping with Mandelson in Brussels,' she said.

'The millions of poor people whose fate rest on decisions made in the WTO might think they have friend in the UK government, but this report has shown otherwise. It is time for the UK to make its rhetoric a reality and stand up to Mandelson. The EU must agree to reform its agricultural policies, without demanding that developing countries destroy their own economies in return,' said Melamed.

Blair's beleaguered deputy gives up controversial free manor

Wed May 31, 2006 - LONDON (AFP) - yahoo.com

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott gave up his grace-and-favour country estate, saying his free use of the posh pad had become a matter of controversy and criticism.

Prescott, proudly working class, saw his reputation battered after being photographed last week enjoying a game of croquet in the sunshine on the luxury home's neat lawns -- while he was meant to be filling in for Prime Minister Tony Blair.

On his 68th birthday Wednesday, the burly Prescott told Blair that he was giving up Dorneywood, the large 1920s mansion available for use by senior minister.

Prescott, a former trade union chief often derided for his mangling of the English language, has been at the centre of a media maelstrom since admitting in April to an affair with his diary secretary, 24 years his junior.

Lurid tales appeared in the newspapers of the pair's escapades and the croquet pictures intensified calls for Prescott's resignation from within the governing Labour Party.

Blair stripped Prescott of his sprawling "Magic Kingdom" of government departments in a cabinet reshuffle earlier this month following dismal local election results.

However, he kept all his perks such as Dorneywood and his 133,000-pound (247,000-dollar, 193,000-euro) salary -- leaving many MPs wondering what Prescott still did to merit it all.

"Like other cabinet ministers before me, I have used Dorneywood as a place to stay, to relax and to work," Prescott said in a statement. "But I am well aware that my use of it is now a subject of public controversy and criticism and a matter of concern amongst some MPs and the Labour Party.

"I have accepted that my continued use of Dorneywood is getting in the way of doing my job in government. "I have told the prime minister that it is my personal decision that I no longer want to be the official resident. He has accepted this decision."

Prescott has played the key role of peacemaker between Blair and his presumed successor, finance minister Gordon Brown, who is keen for Blair to step aside.

Veteran political commentator Anthony Howard told BBC television that Prescott's concessionary move was "probably a fatal mistake".

"Poor old Blair will now have a great problem of who does he give it to? It's going to cause a lot of complications over who now is the prime minister's pet."

Backbench Labour MP Ian Gibson added: "I think this is a gesture towards recognising that this kind of lavish behaviour is unnecessary."

Prescott still has a free flat in the Admiralty off London's Trafalgar Square and his turreted constituency home in Hull, northern England, dubbed "Prescott Towers".

Once a keen boxer, he caused uproar during the 2001 general election campaign when he punched and brawled with a protester.