"Where did that come from?"
"Isn't that the nursery rhyme?"
"Yes. And by fat if you mean US money and by lean you mean principles and justice and..."
"Yes I do and I am glad you understood! Anyway Straw has said that India and Pakistan don't understand each other."
"Like the Poodle understands his relationship with Bush clearly: that of master and slave."
"At least they are quite sure of that relationship. With India we are not quite sure of what we have and what they have and who would win if it came to blows."
"In Straw's words, it's the low level of knowledge and understanding of each other's societies, the way they have developed, which is very striking for someone like me, who lives with both communities day by day..."
"What societies does he live with?"
"He is probably referring to the Hindus and Muslims from the sub-continent who now live in the UK. But he doesn't live with them does he? I am pretty sure he lives in areas which are ethnically cleansed sort of."
"I am sure of that. But why does he think Indians and Pakistanis don't understand each other. I think the reverse is true, that it is precisely because we understand each other so well that we have issues."
"He is a bit naïve."
"A bit you say!"
"Anyway Straw also said that if in any situation you want to resolve a conflict you've got to start to understand the other side. That is what is not happening."
"Naïve I say!"
"Precisely, I mean it is not as if they have started to understand the Iraqis any better."
"They are saying elections there were a success."
"Indeed with no international monitors I am not sure I believe them. And meanwhile insurgency as they refer to at least a dozen deaths daily in Iraq, is on the rise."
"Ah yes. These bloody terrorists!"