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| A CIGAR CASE AN "ARTIFACT"? |
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Page 1 of 2  Plus: New flavors in a compact size from Heaven CigarsLos Angeles, June 26 – “Would there be anyone so petty, so time-wastingly idiotic, as to complain? Alas, I forgot about the Labour Party. Five years after I found this momento, Labour stooges were recently combing my articles for anything discreditable to a Conservative mayoral candidate. “They found the article, and with bulging eyes they went to the Metropolitan Police and demanded that I be prosecuted. I am accused by my political opponents or removing a cultural artifact from Iraq. As it happens, I also have in my possession a letter from the lawyers of Tariq Aziz, informing me that Mr. Ariz wishes me to regard the cigar case as a gift. “But never mind. The file has been opened at Scotland Yard; the proceedings have begun. The poor police have no choice but to investigate this ludicrous affair, and in the interim I am told I must have the cigar case into police custody - or else be led in manacles from City Hall. “I toyed with making a fuss, and pointing out how utterly selfish and stupid it was of Labour to waste police time on this kind of thing. Just when the police are trying to focus on beating knife crime and making the streets safe, they are told they must lavish money and manpower on a preposterous investigation that will do nothing for the security of the public.” That’s former journalist and now London mayor Boris Johnson (pictured above), who took office on May 1 after defeating Labour incumbent Kev Livingstone, after handing over one-half of a cigar case which he found in the ruins of what was once the home of former Iraqi foreign minister Tariq Aziz in 2003. British police are now holding case and will determine whether the case is of “archeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific or religious importance.” If not, it was undoubtedly be returned to Johnson. If so, it is to be returned to Iraq and Johnson could face prosecution for theft. Stupid? Of course, but that’s politics for you. Johnson’s comments were published in a by-lined column in The Telegraph, a newspaper that he wrote for prior to his election. The police, for their part, have kept a straight face, issuing a statement that “The steps we are taking are proportionate with a view to repatriating an item which could be of cultural or historical significance to the Iraqis.” It’s hard not to laugh at this one. As to Tariq Aziz, he is still alive and awaiting trial in Baghdad after surrendering himself to the American forces following the invasion of Iraq and the toppling of the government of Saddam Hussein. Aziz’s lawyer, Badie Izzat Aref, said in Amman, Jordan that “I am ready to contact Johnson, stand by him and provide all necessary support in this ridiculous investigation. “Johnson did not steal or commit any crime, he simply took a souvenir. He has always respected Tariq Aziz, who wishes Johnson had taken other valuable things, like his notebook, which have been seized by the invaders.” Johnson doesn’t even have the entire case; he only has the bottom half, which he spied in the rubble that was Aziz’s home and had been extensively looted. Johnson described his finding and taking the item in one of his Telegraph columns in 2003. |
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Did you know?
“A shape designated as "898" usually refers to its packing, in three layers of 8, 9 and 8 cigars.
