Telling Bush he has got it wrong is what Blair must do [View All]

[DoYouEverWonder]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=511901

Former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook on an historic challenge facing the Prime Minister

16 April 2004

Today's rendezvous at the White House is the most crucial diplomatic meeting of Tony Blair's career, as the political futures of both himself and George Bush hang on pulling Iraq back from the brink. A change in events on the ground must start with a change of approach in the White House, but securing such a shift in direction will not be easy, and the personalities of the two participants make it more difficult.

Tony Blair is a man of immense, attractive charm, which he maintains by shrinking from disagreeable exchanges. Everyone who has worked with the Prime Minister is familiar with the universal tendency of visiting dignitaries to leave pleased with what they have heard - or what they believe they have heard. Spelling out bluntly to someone as powerful as the President of the United States that he has got it wrong is what Tony Blair must do today.

It does not help that George Bush keeps reminding us that he has got the Almighty on his side. This cramps his scope for tactical flexibility, and his statement on Iraq this week exuded the certitude of revealed religion.

Half the problem is that a year after "liberating" Iraq, President Bush will keep discussing the continuing US presence in the terms of "waging a war", "staying on the offensive" and "defeating enemies". There is no prospect of his leading a successful reconstruction of Iraq so long as he regards large parts of its population as enemies.


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