'The Scottish government produced a copy of the original invitation to Mr Annan from the First Minister in which Mr Salmond specifically invited him to Homecoming to deliver a lecture on Burns, of whom Mr Annan is known to be an enthusiast.
In his reply, Mr Annan wrote: “I would like to travel to Scotland to deliver a speech later in the year.”'
'Lewis Macdonald, Labour's tourism spokesman, said: “The Year of Homecoming is not Mr Salmond's personal property. These fantasy claims by the First Minister undermine the good work that communities around Scotland are doing to promote tourism.” He added that Mr Salmond “has to stop making things up”'.
'Mr Annan's office said in a statement: “This has all been blown out of proportion. Mr Annan wrote to Mr Salmond saying that he could unfortunately not accept his kind invitation to attend the dinner on January 24, but he informed him that he would like to visit Scotland later in the year to deliver a speech. There is really no more to it than that. Mr Annan loves Scotland, and there is absolutely no row.'
'A spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Annan is now considering dates in September for a visit.'
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12 comments:
The whole thing is unravelling as London Labour inspired spin, happily spun by our past his sell by date reporter Gus Macleod.
Lewis Macdonald for pity's sake, need we say anymore?
I'm just pleased the SNP acted so quickly and stopped the lies. The problem is they haven't reacted fast enough in the past and therefore the lies take hold.
Between MacQuire yesterday and Macdonald today ...
I think Annan's office must bear some responsibility for this attack. Personally, I'd withdraw the invitation. What relevance has he to Scotland or Burns? Who is this guy but some has been, third world chancer, with his snout in the trough.
Personally, I don't care whether he visits or not as I could think of a few appropriate speakers but I can't believe how some petty individuals are desperately tryin to make political capital out of this.
He should feel quite at home with the Labour Party, eh, Nikos?
Subrosa,
Your picture looks like a picture of Mrs Wilson, the old prime minister's wife, in a book I read recently. Do you write poetry as well as your other talents?
brownlie
Alex saying Kofi was visiting at his Alex's invitation(wow! how good is that) is not "desperately trying to make political capital"
anyway the Unionist strategy is clearly to undermine Alex by drawing out the contradictions between his rhetoric and reality.
Just lately Alex has been giving them a lot of help in their quest.
Nikos, my brain-washed old chum, you've left out the word "apparent" before contradictions but I suppose that's the trouble with wishful thinking.
Salmond did not say that Annan was visiting at his invitation. He merely stated Annan's intention of visiting. It is quite normal for some-one of Annan's previous stature to make the Scottish Government aware of his visit to the country and his purpose in visiting our country.
Incidentally, who-ever did the brain-washing has their work cut out before the next election.
brownlie
HOW MANY ANGELS ON PIN WAZ THAT
Nikos,
Search me, subrosa is the only angel I know!!
How are you on street slang as the w.v. sums up GB. It's "disme".
brownlie
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7856020.stm
It now projects the UK, which recently entered recession, will see its economy shrink by 2.8% next year, the worst contraction among advanced nations.
Although
In October, the IMF had predicted world output would increase by 2.2% in 2009.
It now projects the UK, which recently entered recession, will see its economy shrink by 2.8%
not much of a Crystal ball eh?
Oh brownlie, I so wish I could be an angel but I very much doubt I have the necessary qualifications.
Buy a motorbike, get those leathers out of the wardrobe...
Conan, in the leather skirt I have I can hardly get in the car far less on a bike!
Mind you had a wee trip up the road on a 1929 Sunbeam model 5 last year. Wasn't that comfy (no suspension) but the owners had won the prize for best bike in the Perthshire Antique Motorcycle Show.
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