-Caveat Lector- http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/12/sprj.irq.international/
U.S. suggests war without Britain Wednesday, March 12, 2003 Posted: 0841 GMT ( 4:41 PM HKT) LONDON, England (CNN) -- Pressure is growing on UK Prime Minister Tony Blair after U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld raised the idea that America might be prepared to go to war against Iraq without Britain. Rumsfeld suggested the British force could be mere spectators -- taking up a peacekeeping role after a U.S. invasion to oust Saddam Hussein. Blair is under political pressure from anti-war forces within his own Labour Party, including the threat of ministerial resignations, and polls showing the British public wants U.N. sanction for military action. He has been pushing for a new U.N. resolution that would set a March 17 deadline for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to demonstrate compliance with U.N. demands to disarm. Officials in London are now considering extending that deadline and setting out tests to measure Iraqi compliance, in order to bolster support on the Security Council. But with both France and Russia threatening to veto the resolution, Rumsfeld was asked at a news conference on Tuesday whether the role of the British in an initial assault on Iraq might be scaled back. "Their situation is distinctive to their country and they have a government that deals with the parliament in their distinctive way and what will ultimately be decided is unclear as to their role," he said. "That is to say their role in the event a decision is made to use force. "The second issue of their role in a post-Saddam Hussein reconstruction process or stabilization process which would be a different matter. "I think until we know what the resolution is we won't know the answers to what their role will be." He said British participation "would be welcomed" but added: "To the extent they are not able to participate, there are work-arounds and they would not be involved, at least in that phase of it." His words prompted a flurry of phone calls between London and Washington and Rumsfeld later issued a statement clarifying his remarks. "In the event that a decision to use force is made, we have every reason to believe there will be a significant military contribution from the UK," he said. However, observers say the comments highlight Blair's precarious position and he is expected to face a testing Prime Minister's Question Time in the Commons on Wednesday. Rumsfeld's words were seized on by leading rebel Labour member of parliament Graham Allen, who urged Blair to seize the "heaven sent" opportunity to avoid further conflict with his party. He told CNN: "Mr. Rumsfeld's comments allow the prime minister an exit strategy with dignity which I hope he will seize on." Allen said there should now be a vote in the British parliament, not dictated by party lines, on whether Britain should support a war. CNN's European Political Editor Robin Oakley said: "Rumsfeld was trying to show consideration for Tony Blair's political difficulties at home, but by suggesting the Amercians might go ahead without British particiaption, he has just redoubled the effort of all Blair's critics in his own party, who are now saying there is an exit strategy." <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
