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英國前首相托尼?布萊爾6日宣布取消原定于本周三（8日）在倫敦一家書店的回憶錄簽售活動，以避免部分民眾的抗議活動引發混亂。據悉，此次簽售活動原定在倫敦水石書店的旗艦店舉行，但是考慮到反戰份子的抗議活動可能會給普通民眾帶來不必要的麻煩，同時還需要動用警力維持秩序，布萊爾隨即決定取消簽售。此前，在都柏林為回憶錄《旅程》簽售時，布萊爾就曾經遭遇扔雞蛋和扔鞋等抗議行為。對于那些原本打算到場支持簽售的讀者，布萊爾表示將會為書店提供一部分親筆簽名的回憶錄以滿足讀者的需求。在這本回憶錄中，現年57歲的布萊爾回顧自己任內所做重大決定，批評自己的繼任者戈登?布朗，同時為自己出兵伊拉克的決定辯護。該書在發行初期打出五折銷售策略，在各大書店均有不俗的銷售成績，有望成為史上最熱銷的回憶錄。
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Tony Blair has cancelled a high-profile signing session of his new memoir in central London amid concerns over planned protests. |
Tony Blair has cancelled a high-profile signing session of his new memoir in central London amid concerns over planned protests.
The former prime minister was due to attend the flagship Waterstone's store in Piccadilly on Wednesday - where anti-war campaigners had promised a hostile reception.
But he said he did not want to subject the public to the "inevitable hassle" protests would cause or use up police resources keeping order at the event.
Eggs and shoes were hurled by protesters and one attempted to make a citizen's arrest when Mr. Blair signed copies of the book - A Journey - in Dublin.
Earlier, Mr. Blair said he was considering scrapping Wednesday's planned follow up amid suggestions other groups, including the British National Party could also turn up.
Announcing the decision in a statement today, Mr. Blair said he would provide signed copies to the store for those who had planned to attend.
"However, I have decided not to go ahead with the signing as I don't want the public to be inconvenienced by the inevitable hassle caused by protesters.
"I know the Metropolitan Police would, as ever, have done a superb job in managing any disruption but I do not wish to impose an extra strain on police resources, simply for a book signing.
In an earlier television interview Mr. Blair had said the event could be cancelled because he did not want to “put everyone through a lot of cost and hassle” and it “is not as if we need to do it”. The book has already broken sales records.
Asked why he was considering undertaking such a book signing given the “lively”, protests, Mr. Blair told ITV’s new Daybreak morning show: “That is quite a good point and frankly in Dublin this is a classic example (where) people that come and protest are in a small minority.
“The ones that are doing all the protesting are the ones that get all the publicity. To be frank I am concerned. I don’t want to put everyone through a lot of cost and hassle at this Wednesday’s signing so I am just thinking about that.
Mr. Blair has already been subjected to a mischievous internet campaign, where some critics want his book to be placed in the crime section of all bookstores.
Heavy discounting helped early sales of Mr. Blair's book. It was reduced by 50 per cent to ￡12.50 at Waterstone's, Amazon and WHSmith.
A Journey is on target to become Amazon.co.uk's biggest selling memoir of all time, selling more than three times as many copies on its release date as Mr. Mandelson's book.
A Journey includes revealing anecdotes about the ex-premier's time in power, ranging from his concerns about the amount he was drinking to his views on his colleagues' extramarital affairs.
Much attention has focused on Mr. Blair's detailed account of the rift between himself and Gordon Brown, and his concerns about his chancellor's fitness to follow him into 10 Downing Street.
Describing Mr. Brown as brilliant but ''maddening'', Mr. Blair blamed his successor for losing the last election by deviating from the New Labour message.
Published as the first votes were cast in Labour's leadership contest, the book includes a warning that the party must not to drift to the left if it wants to win the next election.
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(Agencies)
（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）
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