Blair will be the first foreigner to receive a merit for the United States

Tony Blair will be the first foreigner to receive an American honorary medal of the international leader presented for the services provided to the United States. For commitment to the American course, the British called their own prime minister Pudodel Bush , but Blara’s consistent line is very appreciated in the States.

The chairman of the award committee, William Fugram, says that Blair’s merits in the fight against world terrorism after September 11 and America’s support cannot be ignored. "Under the leadership of Tony Blair, the relations between the United States and Britain strengthened for the benefit of both nations," he says.

In addition to the British prime minister, the director Martin Scorsze and singer Michael Bolton, among the laureates of this year.

According to Ananova , Blair will not be able to personally arrive at the ceremony, which will be held in mid -May. Most likely, the Governor of the state of New York George Pataki will give him the medal.

Earlier, the medal was awarded exclusively to the Americans. It was once received by President Ronald Reagan, former mayor of New York Rudolf Juliani, the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, Secretary of State Colin Powell.

In addition, as expected, Blair will become the first after Winston Churchill, a British, who in the United States will be awarded the gold medal of Congress.

The former head of the British Foreign Ministry calls a strategic mistake Union Blair with Bush

This is a "strategic mistake that caused Britain of great damage," says a prominent figure in the ruling Labor Party, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and leader of the House of Commons Robin Cook.

In protest against British participation in the war in Iraq , he resigned in March . “Having won the war, the Bush administration strangely turned out to be worthless to what needs to be done in Baghdad now,” the politician believes.

"As for Britain, for her the question of what to do next should begin with an assessment of the side damage caused by the war to its international positions," Kook "Interfax quoted.