Al-jazeera memo 'would harm relations'

Here's a development I didn't pick up on before Christmas about the now infamous al-Jazeera memo:

Blairwatch reports that the FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] Blog author has "had a response to his request that the government disclose the contents of the now infamous al-Jazeera Memo and the details of the coversation between Bush and Blair about bombing al-Jazeera. [via Don't Bomb Us]

Unsuprisingly, the response was in the negative"

And here's the juicy bit:

"Thank you for your email of 24 November in which you request a copy of any memos or motes that record President Bush's discussions with the Prime Minister about the bombing of the al-Jazeera television station in Qatar. Your request has been handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I can confirm that the cabinet Office holds information which is relevant to your request

They go on to spin and warp the issue by saying that the transparency of government on this subject is of public interest, but basically say it is not in the public interest to release the information because it "would harm international relations."

Sounds pretty damning then. But after the Downing Street Memo, stating what we all knew, that the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy, would anything shock us ?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, Arctic Beacon reports that:

"The White House and DOD have failed to turn over WMD evidence after 500,000 Americans signed a petition delivered to Bush six months ago. He also has failed to answer questions or turn over documents requested by 52 Congressmen after the Downing Street Memo also surfaced in May. Many observers feel Bush thinks he's above the law, acting like Hitler in Nazi Germany.

The White House is again demonstrating how it feels above the law, as it arrogantly has refused to comply with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made six months ago by 52 Congressmen. The Democratic lawmakers are seeking information on whether President Bush doctored WMD intelligence data to justify the Iraqi War, a hotbed issue for millions of Americans with over 500,000 officially writing Bush, asking for immediate answers"

Al-Jazeera memo memos FOIA Bush Blair Iraq lies WMD intelligence