Blair turns his back on who?

"Blair turns his back on friend who failed him" reads a dramatic headline on the British Times Online.

Apparently, at least according to the BBC, Blair did this while also declaring Meles as the winner of last May’s election. According to Blair the following is what happened in Ethiopia:

"The government won the election, there was then a reaction to it, there was then, perhaps, if I can say this without being too undiplomatic, an over reaction to that, which often happens."

After he downplayed what he calls an "over reaction" as a common occurrence - nothing special - Blair returned to his "diplomatic" self and made the point that the "situation" should be resolved in a way that helps Meles.

"We have to try and resolve the situation, the human rights issues, but do so - and I want to do so - in a way that supports Ethiopia."

We are all diplomatic enough to know what he means. When you fall in disfavor with Blair, what you get is something similar to Mugabe's ban from every EU member state [not to mention the assets]. Meles and Blair are wining and dining together. The theatrics at the final press conference can not fool any one - Blair and Meles are as chummy as ever.