Anti-war activists went naked for their latest protest
The UK would not join American unilateral military action against Iraq,
according to International Development Secretary Clare Short.
Ms Short said the UK had a duty to try to keep the world united over the
Iraq crisis and ensure the danger of Saddam Hussein was only tackled
through the United Nations.
Other ministers have shied away from saying whether or not the UK would
join America if it decided to act alone against Iraq.
With US troop build-up continuing in the Gulf, Labour Chairman John Reid
has denied there is widespread disquiet about the handling of the Iraq
crisis.
Two surveys in Sunday newspapers point to deep unease about the prospect
of war among Labour activists.
Despite cold weather, a group of 30 peace campaigners went naked in East
Sussex for their latest protest against any military action.
Short's concern
The Conservatives say Tony Blair is "wobbling" and failing to make the
case for the UK joining possible military action because of Labour
splits.
Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: "That worries me because the British
people are still waiting to see what the case is for British
involvement."
Mr Blair is reportedly to make a personal effort to win over Labour MPs
sceptical of his stance over Iraq.
The prime minister's spokesman said last week UN weapons inspectors
needed "time and space" to do their work in Iraq in what was seen as a
reassurances to critics.
Clare Short: Must stick to UN route
The sailing of the aircraft carrier Ark Royal for the Gulf has
heightened speculation that the UK is preparing to help the US in
military action against Iraq.
Ms Short, seen as one of the cabinet ministers more sceptical about
possible war, told ITV's Jonathan Dimbleby programme she was "very, very
worried" about the Iraq crisis.
"The role of the UK in this historic and dangerous time ... is to try to
keep the US with the UN process, back up the authority of the UN and not
depart from the UN process," she said.
Asked if that meant the UK would not join America if it acted alone
against Iraq, she replied: "That is the logic of the position."
Ms Short also argued the US failure to do more to restart the Middle
East peace process had bred distrust and anger in the region.
Suez warning
Earlier, senior Labour MP Clive Soley said there was a danger the UK
could be a repeat of the Suez crisis, which caused the downfall of then
Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden.
Mr Soley, ex-chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, told the Sunday
Times: "There is a danger of getting into a conflict without the support
of the country or Parliament."
Dr Reid told Sky News Labour opinions were similar to those of the wider
public.
"There may be some on one extreme who want to go straight to military
conflict," he said.
US build-up in the Gulf is continuing
"There are others on the other extreme who don't want to use military
means under any circumstances.
"But the broad thrust of the party, I think, recognises that Saddam
Hussein is a major threat ...
"But they want to see that every possible means of diplomacy and
pressure is used before the military option becomes necessary and to go
through the UN route."
On Monday, Mr Blair is expected to use his monthly televised news
conference to explain again his stance on Iraq.
On Wednesday, he will address a private meeting of the Parliamentary
Labour Party, something officials say he always does after the Christmas
recess.
'Unnecessary rhetoric'
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said Mr Blair needed to be
clearer about the circumstances in which the UK would go to war.
Mr Kennedy argued there should be no "unnecessary rhetoric" from London
or Washington while UN inspectors continued their work.
The Independent on Sunday questioned 35 Labour Party officials from
ministers' constituencies.
Only two of them were in favour of British support for an attack on Iraq
without UN backing.
A Sunday Telegraph survey of 74 Labour Party constituency chairmen found
69% of them predicted war with Iraq would provoke resignations among
local members.
The newspaper reports Mr Blair has been warned by three cabinet
ministers - Tessa Jowell, Hilary Armstrong and Helen Liddell - that he
must "sell" his military strategy on Iraq or face a rebellion by MPs.
**********Keep Hope Alive!!!*************
Site of the Week:- http://www.iseehope.org
Nigeria arise to rebuild Hope
++++++++++++++
Nigerians for Nigeria, rebuilding a Country where No man is oppressed.
- ---
Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
**********Keep Hope Alive!!!*************
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
