Mr. Galloway Goes to Washington: The Brit Who Set Congress Straight About Iraq

by George Galloway

In late spring of 2005, George Galloway, a newly elected member of British Parliament, came to Washington, D.C., to appear before a Senate subcommittee that claimed―without ever talking to him―that he had enriched himself through the scandal-plagued Iraq oil-for-food program. What happened next was a rare political to the surprise of the assembled senators, congressional aides, and press, Galloway turned the tables on his accusers, calling attention to the dishonesty and hypocrisy that led to the war in Iraq. This is the story of Galloway's relationship with Saddam Hussein (including details of their private meetings) and of his remarkable visit to Washington in which he dared to set the record straight―not just his own record but also that of the U.S. government. Filled with the passion and wit that are Galloway trademarks, the book includes the complete transcript of the famed Senate testimony and is packed with facts about the United States' ignominious history in Iraq―facts that are easy to forget but crucial to remember.

Genres: Politics

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2005

About the author

George Galloway is a British politician, author, and broadcaster, who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1987 and is known for his anti-war views. He was a Labour Party MP for Glasgow Hillhead, and for Glasgow Kelvin, before his expulsion from the party in October 2003, and his subsequently becoming a founding member of Respect. He served as the Respect MP for the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency (2005 - 2010), and and for Bradford West (2012 - 2015).

Galloway is considered to be quite a controversial politician and is perhaps best known for his vigorous campaign to both overturn economic sanctions against Iraq in the 1990s and early 2000s, and to avert the 2003 invasion of that country, as well as for his speech before the then President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, in which he appeared to praise the Iraqi dictator, although Galloway actively opposed the regime until the United States-led Gulf War in 1991 and has always stated that he was addressing the Iraqi people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_G...

Reviews

[Paul Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

[The New Press] (2005). SB . First Edition. 132 Pages. Signed and inscribed by the author. Purchased from Wrap Ltd.

“You are a drink-sodden, former Trotskyite popinjay…” (p. 71.) [To Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011)]

Contains a transcript of George Galloway’s masterful, face-to-face dialogue with the U.S. Senate Committee in Washington on 17/05/2005. He skilfully dismantled their feebly contrived allegations against him whilst vilifying key aspects of the war on Iraq. His accusers were shown to be, at very best, incompetent.

I would love to see him ‘cross-examine’ Tony Blair.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

His testimony at the congressional hearing as well as the story that led up to it.

[Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very unnecessary, unless you've been accusing George Galloway of being involved in the Oil for Food scandal, in which case this narrative and transcript of his trip to Washington to testify before the Senate committee ought to set you straight. Of course, I'd never heard of Galloway before this book (and his now legendary debate with Christopher Hitchens; the best part of this book is a brief scene where he describes a petty screaming match between the two of them outside the capital: "You are a drink-sodden, former Trotskyite popinjay!" Gotta love those Brits.) He scores a few zingers against the war in Iraq and Norm Coleman, obnoxious Senator from Minnesota (go Franken!), but it's all so much showboating, grandstanding and self-righteousness. That's the point, I understand, it's a passionate self-defense more than a rebuke of the infanticidal sanctions or the illegal war, so really what do I care?

[S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Galloway, a former British MP who is currently running for mayor of London, is one of the finest orators i've ever heard. If you ever get time see him debate the great Christopher Hitchens, (whom i also find to have a superior head) check it out on utube. Galloway is the only person i've ever seen who can stand up to Hitchens. And what a voice!

Regarding this book, Galloway who has always opposed the Iraqi war and the oppression of Palestine, etc, once met with Saddam Hussein to convince him to allow weapons inspectors in. He was slandered by media who asserted Hussein gave him a million barrels of oil. He sued and won in Britain but the us senate pretty much pronounced him guilty of same.

Mr galloway decided to take the bull by the horns and came to Washington not only to defend himself but to speak his mind. What a corker, the amazing Mr. galloway!