Bill, Tony And Winnie The Pooh

When high politics and childrens story book heroes meet, it can only spell trouble. And so it was this week. Britains Prime Minister, Tony Blair, went as a conquering hero to Washington. Back in the House of Commons, Gwnneth Dunwoody, a redoubtable Welsh MP, was raising the battlecry against the Americans.

Winnie the Pooh and his playground pals Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet, Kanga and Roo the originals owned by author A A Milnes son are kept under lock and key in a glass case in the New York Central Library. And they are apparently pining to return to Britain. They are part of our heritage and want to come home, said Dunwoody in the Commons on Wednesday. That wasnt all. They look very unhappy indeed. I am not surprised, considering they have been incarcerated in a glass case in a foreign country for 70 years, she said.

 

Dunwoody didnt shy away from drawing the obvious comparisons. Just like the Greeks want their Elgin Marbles back, so we want our Winnie the Pooh, along with his splendid friends, she said.

Meanwhile, back in Washington, Blair and Clinton appeared unconcerned by the rumpus back in Britain. In fact, they looked like the newest item in town. Together they smiled for the cameras, held a joint press conference in the Oval Office and stonewalled all queries on Monica Lewinsky. Blair was given a heros welcome by Americas top dailies and TV stations. Blair has been giving his embattled new chum a helping hand in more ways than one. Britains only aircraft carrier, HMS Invincible, has been cruising the Gulf with its six Sea Harrier jump jets ready to take on whatever Saddam can throw at them. And Clintons harassed aides hope that Blairs squeaky clean family-man image will somehow rub off on the President. The usual order of things has been reversed and he can do more for Bill Clinton than the President can do for him said The Times, London.

Thats putting it strongly but one thing is for certain: Anglo-American relations are at an all-time high (Winnie the Pooh notwithstanding). So good that British reporters have shed their inhibitions and begun muttering about the special relationship once again.

Did someone say special.... what? The special relationship is one of the building blocks of British foreign policy. It is Churchill and Roosevelt, Thatcher and Reagan and now Blair and Clinton (dont forget Hillary and Cherie). Britains Foreign Office believes that it has special ties of culture and blood with the worlds most powerful nation. The Americans dont always see it quite the same way. From the White House, the view changes according to the political season. The Americans see Britain as their yes man politely endorsing their role as global policeman. Take the anti-Saddam manoeuvres which are backed only by Britain. So the Americans want a special relationship when it serves their ends.

Does it help Britain to be Americas special friend? Britain doesnt pack the punch it did 50 years ago. Being Americas friend gives it a certain self-importance that it couldnt otherwise get in this age of power blocks. Besides, it acts as a useful counterweight against the inexorable pull of European integration from Brussels. The British argue that America teamed with Europe can rule the world.

On Thursday, Blair and Clinton dined at the White House. Anglo-American ties were serenaded by Stevie Wonder and Sir Elton John. Despite the chummy talk, Britain shouldnt delude itself into believing that this is a partnership of equals. America will always be boss.

This may not be welcome news for the fivesome from Pooh Corner. Its a safe bet that the Americans wont be handing back Winnie the Pooh and his adventurous gang who arrived in the New World 70 years ago. They will need to make their escape as best they can.