Indeed I had speculated last week that Blair might have to wriggle through this hole. But Rumsfeld just somehow has a greater knack of catching news headlines than subscribers to this list, even/especially when he is trying to be sensitive. Now all the UK quality press has amplfied it tso it will be at the forefornt of debate particularly within the Labour Party and the Cabinet.
It is all the more relevant since
a) the more desperate the Brits are to get a second UN resolution, the more they are at the mercy of some compromise so far from the US position that the US do not want it at all.
b) It seems likely that the British Cabinet, trying to be conscientious footsoldiers for the future Government of the World, have indeed taken professional advice about the legality of going to war without explicit UN authorisation, and the opinion was not very comforting. And whereas the USA might be powerful enough to brush aside subsequent legal retribution, the UK might find the threat of legal action more intimidating.
1441 was drafted to win a unanimous vote, and then to be open to various interpretations. It was not drafted to ensure that the hegemons would have watertight legal protection against litigation.
Contradictions, contradictions.
Chris Burford London
