Leader rejects Blair 'second wave' claim

[struggle4progress]

Staff reporter and Luke Harding in Baghdad
Tuesday September 21, 2004
The Guardian

Iraq's interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, yesterday contradicted Tony Blair's claim that there was a new conflict inside Iraq and dismissed fears of a civil war.

Speaking in London before flying to Washington, Mr Allawi told a small group of editors: "It's not a second war, as such. It's a big conflict, with people coming to Iraq from various parts - including the European Union, the Middle East and Pakistan - to fight. <snip>

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/attacks/story/0,1320,1309266,00.html


Blair attacked over 'second war' remarks

<snip> Speaking ahead of his address to delegates, foreign affairs spokesman Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Tony Blair will find it much easier to enrol people in this second war - which has to be won - if he apologises for getting us into the first war in the first place."

Leader Charles Kennedy, speaking on Sunday, was equally forthright, demanding: "Apologise. Say sorry for the damage you have done, the anguish you have caused, the wrongs you can never now right. <snip>

http://www.epolitix.com/EN/News/200409/07e5dfb1-1ea4-4186-88df-8008c1905c7e.htm


Lib Dem Quotes of the Day

<snip> “Before declaring a second war in Iraq, the Prime Minister should surely apologise for the first” – Foreign Affairs spokesman Sir Menzies Campbell. <snip>

“The actions of our Government and President Bush have recruited a new generation of potential terrorists” – MP David Heath, the party’s home affairs spokesman. <snip>

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3524231


Blair Tries to Counter Iraq Skeptics in Europe
By PATRICK E. TYLER
Published: September 19, 2004

<snip> A week ago, President Jacques Chirac of France said the West had "opened a Pandora's box in Iraq that we are unable to close" and added that the situation "is not getting any better." <snip>

Mr. Blair and his advisers are said to be concerned that the United States and Britain are increasingly isolated in their struggle to secure a military victory in Iraq and provide for a successful transition to a stable democracy.

"Now is not the time for the international community to divide or disagree but to come together behind what is happening in Iraq, realize that the struggle of this prime minister and the Iraqi people for liberty and democracy and stability is actually our struggle, too," Mr. Blair said, referring to Mr. Allawi.

The British leader said Iraq had seen two wars, the first one to remove Saddam Hussein, which he acknowledged had been "deeply divisive" and had led to "anger and misunderstanding." But the second war, he said, "is the crucible in which the future of this global terrorism will be determined and either it will succeed and this terrorism will grown or we will succeed, the Iraqi people will succeed and this global terrorism will be delivered a huge defeat."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/19/international/middleeast/19CND-BLAI.html

[grytpype]

1. Wow, the tidal wave is crashing down...

[fearnobush]

2. Yes, but not here in the good ole U. S. Freeped A.

Hey media, how a bout a little truth?

[LynnTheDem]

3. Dear bLiar...

What has Iraq got to do with global ANYTHING, let alone terrorism???

You're intelligent, Tony.

So you KNOW you're going to hell for this bullshite invasion & attempted conquest of Iraq.

[Minstrel Boy]

4. "second war?" "first war?"

It's the same damn war!

You shouldn't have fought it, Tony. And you lost it.

[The Zanti Regent]

5. Admit you were had by the Nazis, Phony Blair!

Pack up your bags and go, Phony Tony!