IRAQI BLOGGER SALAM PAX TAKES ON GEORGE GALLOWAY:

Mr Galloway left the press conference near Liverpool Street station before the end but was met outside by Salam Pax, the Baghdad Blogger, who was making a film for BBC2’s Newsnight.

Challenged by Mr Pax that only 21% of Iraqis want US and UK troops out of their country, Mr Galloway said there was no point in engaging in discussion “because you and I will never agree”.

That’s because Galloway — as he’s illustrated quite consistently by his words and actions — wants the good guys to lose.

This via U.S.S. Neverdock, which also notes this passage from the BBC’s report:

The “Baghdad blogger” was at the event to make a film for Newsnight, and he managed to snatch a brief interview with Mr Galloway before the Respect candidate dashed off to his meeting with the lawyers.

“I know who you are,” said Mr Galloway, warily eyeing Mr Pax, whose weblog gave the world an insight into the lives of ordinary Iraqis in the run-up to the US-led invasion.

Mr Pax wanted to know why Mr Galloway wanted the immediate withdrawal of occupying troops from Iraq.

“I really don’t think we are going to agree on this. You supported the war and I opposed it,” said Mr Galloway.

“You welcomed the invasion of foreign armies into your country. I opposed it. So we are not going to agree on this, which is why I didn’t think it would be productive to have a discussion with you and I do have to go now.”

‘Illegal war’

But Mr Pax – whose real name has never been revealed – pressed the point.

Galloway: “I just want to be honest with you. You can not demand that our armed forces occupy your country – that’s a matter for us.

“It’s not a matter for you – it’s a matter for us. Now I think there are millions of people in this country who think the war was illegal, was wrong shouldn’t have happened and should be immediately withdrawn from. We are entitled to that point of view and we are.”

Mr Pax “shouldn’t have supported” the war in the first place, added Mr Galloway.

But Mr Pax countered that would be tantamount to supporting the continuation of a regime like Saddam’s.

Which would be no surprise where Galloway is concerned.