Tutu withdraws from leadership summit

[blunomore]

JOHANNESBURG - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on Tuesday withdrew from speaking at the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit because he does not want to appear alongside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The summit, set to get underway on Thursday, was due to feature speakers from across the world to discuss leadership.

Tutu, Blair and Chess master Garry Kasparov were set to address the summit.

The archbishop's office released a statement saying he spent days considering his decision, but that Blair's support of the war in Iraq was “morally indefensible”.

Since agreeing to speak at the summit, Blair has been the centre of controversy among several Durban-based Muslim groups, who rallied for a citizen’s arrest of the former prime minister.

One group, Al Jama-ah, said Blair was complicit in the murder of thousands of people in Iraq and should face war crime charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

http://ewn.mobi/news/Local/tutu-withdraws-from-leadership-summit/7478

 

[2026]

Tutu needs to grow up. Not giving your speech because you disagree with someone else in the room is childish.

 

[Hamster]

Tutu needs to grow up. Not giving your speech because you disagree with someone else in the room is childish.

He is highly regarded by some and him not showing up is a "speech" in it's own.

 

[marine1]

So now every Muslim is set to protest there what a load of crap

 

[buyeye]

/warns Killa not to take da bait.

 

[2026]

He is highly regarded by some and him not showing up is a "speech" in it's own.

It's not a speech, it's a moral/personal issues with Blaire and he's using the summit as a tool to push his agenda.

 

[Fudzy]

It's not a speech, it's a moral/personal issues with Blaire and he's using the summit as a tool to push his agenda.

Walking out is an accepted practice in protest to something. Look at how often DA members walk out of parliament.

 

[2026]

Walking out is an accepted practice in protest to something. Look at how often DA members walk out of parliament.

Slight difference is that Tutu is judging the guy on his past decisions and not current events or topics relating to the summit.

 

[Fudzy]

Slight difference is that Tutu is judging the guy on his past decisions and not current events or topics relating to the summit.

Blair's 'past decisions' have far reaching consequences which are extremely relevant today.

 

[IzZzy]

Tutu must have known months in advance of the line up, and chooses to withdraw on the eve of the summit, the moment there is a hint of protest. Never took him for a populist puppet.

 

[2026]

Blair's 'past decisions' have far reaching consequences which are extremely relevant today.

But not relevant to the summit.

 

[Fudzy]

But not relevant to the summit.

On leadership? Yes, playing lap dog to another country is an great example of that.

 

[Hemi300c]

Blair's 'past decisions' have far reaching consequences which are extremely relevant today.

So are TuTu's "past decisions"..............

Typical African attitude.....................

 

[Fudzy]

So are TuTu's "past decisions"..............

Such as?

 

[LazyLion]

Tutu must have known months in advance of the line up, and chooses to withdraw on the eve of the summit, the moment there is a hint of protest. Never took him for a populist puppet.

Never mind the huge fuss he made when the Dalai Lama was not allowed to visit SA.
So he thinks everyone should be allowed to visit SA and have a platform to speak????
That's funny, it sure doesn't look like it!

 

[LazyLion]

Such as?

He chose to support the ANC back when it was still a terrorist organisation committed to using bombings and killings of civilian peoples in order to further their political aims.
That was his decision back then... no doubt he also "prayed" about that?
Does he really have room to talk now?

 

[Fudzy]

He chose to support the ANC back when it was still a terrorist organisation committed to using bombings and killings of civilian peoples in order to further their political aims.
That was his decision back then... no doubt he also "prayed" about that?
Does he really have room to talk now?

He was opposed to apartheid, where did you read he was a MK supporter?

 

[LazyLion]

He was opposed to apartheid, where did you read he was a MK supporter?

Dude, that's a stretch. He supported the ANC... MK was the military wing of the ANC. Do you think he would have supported the ANC if he had a problem with MK?
He was often seen walking under ANC and SACP banners in marches and protests.
That implies full support.

 

[Fudzy]

Dude, that's a stretch. He supported the ANC... MK was the military wing of the ANC. Do you think he would have supported the ANC if he had a problem with MK?
He was often seen walking under ANC and SACP banners in marches and protests.
That implies full support.

Yes, against apartheid. How difficult is that to understand? I don't think for a minute he approved of any of the ANC's military wings actions, do some reading on the guy rather than blurting out personal, misinformed opinions.

 

[Fudzy]

Dude, that's a stretch. He supported the ANC... MK was the military wing of the ANC. Do you think he would have supported the ANC if he had a problem with MK?
He was often seen walking under ANC and SACP banners in marches and protests.
That implies full support.

Yes, against apartheid. How difficult is that to understand? I don't think for a minute he approved of any of the ANC's military wings actions, do some reading on the guy rather than blurting out personal, misinformed opinions.