London: Mellowed by the massive anti-war protests, British Prime Minister Tony Blair
on February 18 said there was no rush to war against Iraq but maintained he wanted to
see another UN resolution before launching any offensive.
Blair, back from an emergency EU (European Union) summit on Iraq, said weapons
inspectors cannot do their job unless Saddam Hussein has a change of heart.
"There is no inexorable decision to go to war but there is an inexorable decision to
disarm Saddam Hussein. How that happens is up to Saddam," he said at the monthly
press conference in London.
"I want a second resolution if we go to military action," he said, but added "there
is a lot of debate to go on ... We haven't reached the stage yet about having to take
action without a second resolution."
Blair said while he "abhorred" the Iraqi regime, the aim of any military action would
be to remove alleged weapons of mass destruction.
Referring to the massive anti-war demonstrations, Blair said he "should and does
listen to the thousands that marched on Saturday."
He, however, insisted that most of those on the marches were not against war in all
circumstances but were opposed to a war that was "rushed or unnecessary".
The emergency summit of EU leaders in Brussels agreed force should be used as a "last
resort".
The statement from the 15 leaders, who have been bitterly divided over the issue,
warned that weapons inspectors could not continue indefinitely without Baghdad's
cooperation.
While Blair admitted that there had been disagreements, he added every country
recognised that Saddam Hussein had not complied with UN Security Council resolution
1441.
"Iraq will be disarmed of weapons of mass destruction, whether it is done peacefully
or by conflict, by military action, is up to Saddam and the Iraqi regime."
Blair's statement came in stark contrast to French Pesident Jacques Chirac's
insistence that his country will oppose any early move towards military action
against Iraq.
Referring to "thousands who marched on Saturday", Blair said they must also pay
attention to the four million exiles from Saddam's Iraq.
"We aren't actually at war at the moment. And I think that the moment when the public
takes its final view of this will be the moment when we in fact take military
action,''
Blair said.
When a correspondent pointed out that the Prime Minister's falling poll ratings now
meant people are considering regime change in Britain, Blair said, "I'm not saying I
can persuade everyone of this - I don't have a well of wisdom".
He, however, pointed out that polling showed support for an attack in the wake of a
second UN resolution.
PTI
