tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5467119.post2767660133024040329..comments2023-10-24T10:09:22.146+01:00Comments on The Yorkshire Ranter: Bearpark, Brand, and Kerik, againAlexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17153530634675543954noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5467119.post-36167109474494159422007-06-18T10:53:00.000+01:002007-06-18T10:53:00.000+01:00You are being unfair to Bearpark, and the standard...You are being unfair to Bearpark, and the standard of research in this post is unimpressive. Most of Bearpark's career (well over 20 years) was with the old Overseas Development Agency, which became DfID- he is a development specialist, and his familiarity with how policy is made at top levels was an asset. The Thatcher Foundation was not comparable to the Heritage style loons when Bearpark worked there, and I suspect still isn't: I knew someone who worked for them and they basically concentrated on backing small-scale economic development projects in Eastern Europe, which happens to be a field where Bearpark is an expert. <BR/><BR/>Another good friend of mine, personally honest and with left-of-centre politics, was appointed to an important CPA post on Bearpark's recommendation. Most of the British personnel assigned on Bearpark's orders as CPA 'Governors' or 'Assistant Governors' in fact had leftish politics: Mark Etherington being the exception, and even he had considerable operational experience in 'post-conflict situations'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5467119.post-73553497047585519392007-06-18T09:40:00.000+01:002007-06-18T09:40:00.000+01:00Bearpark's version of events is pretty much exactl...Bearpark's version of events is pretty much exactly consistent with Andrew Alderson's book "Bankrolling Basra", about his experiences as financial controller of CPA South. In particular, the Americans trying to keep tight political control over everything and sidelining anyone who wasn't a member of the Republican Party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com