| Stuck in "Local" since this happened years ago. I was unaware that ol' Idi had made his Hajj. That explains a lot... |
Ugandan dictator Idi Amin sent a hectoring message demanding an invitation to Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee celebrations and a Commonwealth meeting in 1977, newly released documents showed Friday. He threatened to show up with a 250-strong delegation, including dancers, to "give some advice on the current chaotic economic situation in Great Britain" which he blamed on "British Asians and Zionists".
Britain, which turned to the International Monetary Fund for help after a 1976 sterling crisis, held lavish celebrations to mark the queen's 25 years on the throne, including a service at Saint Paul's cathedral in London. A Commonwealth heads of government meeting was taking place around the same time and Amin made clear his intention to be at both, although inviting him would have been diplomatically highly sensitive.
Hundreds of thousands of people were killed under the eight-year regime of Amin, who died in 2003 and whose formidable character was portrayed in the 2006 film "The Last King of Scotland". |