Blair 'delayed US strike on Iraq'

[Czar]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2915149.stm

US President George Bush was persuaded by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair not to attack Iraq in the immediate aftermath of the 11 September terrorist attacks, it has been claimed.

According to a former British ambassador to Washington, the US president had come under intense pressure from some in his own military to attack Saddam Hussein in the days after the 2001 terrorist outrages in the US.

But, said Sir Christopher Meyer, when Mr Blair met the US president at his Camp David retreat a few days later he succesfully argued for al-Qaeda and the Taleban regime in Afghanistan to be confronted first.

"Tony Blair's view was: 'Whatever you're going to do about Iraq, you should concentrate on the job at hand and the job at hand was get al-Qaeda, give the Taleban an ultimatum'," Sir Christopher said.

The former ambassador was speaking on a documentary that will be screened on the PBS network in America on Thursday.

Called Blair's War, it looks at the prime minister's attempts to try and maintain an alliance against Saddam Hussein.

 

[DoctorPizza]

So W believes his own "Iraq was behind 11/9" propaganda?

That would make him stupider than previously assumed.

 

[sandorski]

Very interesting. If true, it would appear that a war with Iraq was in the works 9/11 or not. Wouldn't be surprised.

 

[mastertech01]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Very interesting. If true, it would appear that a war with Iraq was in the works 9/11 or not. Wouldn't be surprised.

Where did you get that from the above post?

 

[yowolabi]

I have to see more proof to believe something that stupid almost happened. A terrorist organization attacks you, and in response you attack a country unrelated to them while giving them time to hide and plan more attacks? I don't even think Bush is dumb enough to have not went after Bin Laden first.

 

[prontospyder]

It's interesting that by becoming our strongest ally, Britain has great influence over our foreign policies. I think we should continue to follow the UK's advise and have a similar system to rebuilding Iraq as rebuilding Afghanistan.

 

[UltraQuiet]

This topic is covered in some detail in Bush at War by Bob Woodward. According to the book a plan for getting rid of SH had been in the development at the Pentagon even before Bush took office. Rumsfeld apparently raised the issue at a 9/12/01 NSC meeting but it was put on the back burner mainly because Powell insisted they focus on Al Queda. Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz apparently continued to push the issue in the days following with Powell and Gen. Hugh Shelton apparently in opposition and able to convince Bush to focus on AlQueda. The book makes no mention of Blair influencing the decision but it wouldn't be at all surprising if he had some role in it. Whatever the case he did continue to tell the Pentagon, "No!", until the buildup last fall.

 

[Marshallj]

Originally posted by: DoctorPizza
So W believes his own "Iraq was behind 11/9" propaganda?

That would make him stupider than previously assumed.

Another predictable statement by a Bush hater.


Let it go man, Gore lost the election.

 

[Superdoopercooper]

"Stupider".... and you have room to talk.

Originally posted by: DoctorPizza
So W believes his own "Iraq was behind 11/9" propaganda? That would make him stupider than previously assumed.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Superdoopercooper
"Stupider".... and you have room to talk.

Originally posted by: DoctorPizza
So W believes his own "Iraq was behind 11/9" propaganda? That would make him stupider than previously assumed.

Still not as stupid as some of the stuff bush has said.

 

[DoctorPizza]

"Stupider".... and you have room to talk.

Stupider. It means "more stupid". http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=stupider

 

[DoctorPizza]

Another predictable statement by a Bush hater.


Let it go man, Gore lost the election.

Why on earth do you think I care about who rules your country?