Downing Street had Andrew Marr, the BBC's lead political correspondent
comment on the warnings given by the US government to Syria and Iran.
Within the last 12 months Britain had the Queen meet the Syrian president,
and the UK foreign minister, Jack Straw has put a lot of work in on Iran.
Marr said tonight "Ministers are watching all this with some dismay and alarm"
It suits the British government to distance itself a little from the US. It
is most plausible to do this where there is some basis for it. IT does not
stop the British government wage this war, and defuses British opposition
on the grounds that Blair's government is at least trying to moderate US
behaviour, as it probably is.
At the weekend, true to its multilaterialist version of imperialism
"Tony Blair has briefed the leaders of Russia, France, Australia, Spain and
Germany on his Camp David talks with the US president, George Bush - but
will not be making a statement to parliament, Downing Street announced
today" according to the Guardian Monday 31st.
This will keep Britain's options open for any dealings on humanitarian
intervention, expecially with Russia and France.
Chris Burford
