(UK TORY LEADER) IDS: prepare for action

The Evening Standard ^ | March 13, 2003 | The Evening Standard

[MadIvan]

War move: Iain Duncan Smith delivers Blair's message

Iain Duncan Smith emerged from a meeting with Tony Blair this morning to say a second UN resolution on Iraq is "now less likely than at any time".

Standing outside No 10 after an hour long meeting with the Prime Minister, the Tory leader said Blair remained resolute despite objections from the French and Russian camps, and said that it now looked likely that British troops would see action very soon.

In what effectively amounts to a declaration that war with Iraq is imminent, Iain Duncan Smith said his thoughts and prayers were with the troops and their families.

He said Blair told him France had become "completely intransigent", and said that this meant a second resolution was becoming increasingly unlikely.

"The Prime Minister today told me that although they continue to try to seek a second resolution in the UN and will continue to do so that second resolution is now probably less likely than at any time before, " the Tory leader said.

"He made the reason for this as the fact that the French have been and become completely intransigent and literally threatened to veto almost anything that is put forward to the UN Security Council.

"That, and to a lesser extent the Russians, has meant that unaligned nations are finding it difficult to make a decision because if it is going to be vetoed anyway they are saying 'so what'.

"That means essentially military action has become more likely and with that in mind our thoughts and prayers and I'm sure those of everybody and those of my party are with our forces and their families at this time."

The Prime Minister's assessment of the prospects for a new resolution came as France rejected Britain's compromise draft setting Saddam Hussein six disarmament tests.

The French move angered British ministers, who had been working hard to win support for the new proposals.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw attacked the "extraordinary" decision by Paris.

Mr Blair knows that war without a new resolution means greater opposition from Labour MPs and party members.

[MadIvan]

With you at the first, with you to the last. As for the French, there will be a price to be paid for their treachery. To quote Henry V:

But tell the Dauphin I will keep my state,
Be like a king, and show my sail of greatness
When I do rouse me in my throne of France.
For that have I laid by my majesty
And plodded like a man for working days,
But I will rise there with so full a glory
That I will dazzle all the eyes of France,
Yea, strike the Dauphin blind to look on us.
And tell the pleasant prince this mock of his
Hath turn'd his balls to gun-stones, and his soul
Shall stand sore charged for the wasteful vengeance
That shall fly with them; for many a thousand widows
Shall this his mock, mock out of their dear husbands,
Mock mothers from their sons, mock castles down,
And some are yet ungotten and unborn
That shall have cause to curse the Dauphin's scorn.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Happygal]

Ironic...Chiraq's pussy-footing around trying to prevent a war, will result in one coming even sooner.

The French are lily-livered scum.

[Miss Marple]

And here is another quote from the same play:

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day

[BillCompton]

This might the most important development in months. This one is huge.

[George W. Bush]

Blair is facing the reality of the U.N. and getting that reminder British leaders have experienced for centuries: the perfidy of France.

I think Tony is just doing a little last minute cleanup and prep work. Then the Anglo armies are going to roll.

If we are to have only one ally in all the world going in to battle with us, I'm glad it's Britain, Labor governmnet or not.

[MadIvan]

Blair has now had a thorough education regarding the UN and the French; I suspect he'll put the knowledge to good use.

Regards, Ivan

[George W. Bush]

So much of this has to do with France's plans to dominate Europe.

Their entire behavior dovetails with the new Euroconstitution which will limit the ability of EU countries to conduct an independent foreign policy or military action.

A lot of France's behavior makes more sense when you look at it that way. It's not merely anti-American in the Gaullist tradition. It's also anti-Britain and anti-New Europe. France wants to be in position to block any and all independence by member countries. France and Germany are working hard to accomplish this objective.

[JohnOG]

and how do you explain Russia's position?? Do you really believe that insignificant France is the leader of this anti-American coalition?? France cannot lead anything...never has....
Russia is the Bear behind the curtain....they hold the resources that Western Europe needs...
If Russia were with us....France would wilt like the worms they are....
Sorry folks...Russia is the key here...France is the front-man....a facade held up to absorb our wrath....while Russia's opposition is explained away and apologized for....
Sorry, that's my position, I know its unpopular here... but that's the strategic picture I see.
Thanks, John O'Grady.

[Brian Allen]

<< Blair has now had a thorough education regarding the UN and the French; I suspect he'll put the knowledge to good use. >>

Oh, that those words travel FRom your lips straight to God's ear!

Please, Dear Lord, that it be True -- and that he would.

Although I suspect this phase of America's War Against Terrorism will soon be over -- and the British Labour potty will still be British Labour.

And Blair will still be Blair.

[prairiebreeze]

**Chiraq's pussy-footing around trying to prevent a war, will result in one coming even sooner.**

And in more coalition casualties, I'm afraid.

Prairie

[Peach]

The day the French said they wouldn't support the war on terror if a new resolution was pushed through was the day a lot of eyes were opened. France has suffered at the hands of Muslim extremists over the years and that they could take this position publicly was a nail in their own coffin.

[prairiebreeze]

You may just be right.

Prairie

[George W. Bush]

Sorry, that's my position, I know its unpopular here... but that's the strategic picture I see.

I don't think it's unpopular. Just that most of us don't see Russia as doing anything more than trying to get its $8 billion. Still, most of Saddam's recent WMD-related purchases came from Russian or the old Soviet bloc. So you have a point here.

But I think it's hard to assemble evidence that Russia is the leading force here. I still think it's France and Germany and it has a lot to do with control of Europe, not just protecting French/German/Russian revenue streams and the huge oil reserves of Iraq.

[prairiebreeze]

and now Canada is said to be trying to get the French to re-think the veto.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/863631/posts

My understanding from something I read quite a while back was that even if the 18th resolution wasn't passed, at least Blair could say that he tried hard to obtain it--and hope to mollify his critics to an extent.

I'm wondering if that still holds true and if some of these delays have been an attempt by Blairs' admin. to prep the British public for war?

Prairie

[gulfcoast6]

BUT look what the French have done. We have tried over and over for years to do something about the UN and wanted it disbanded. The French did it in one try.

[Braak]

You have to wonder what the French are thinking, if they are? I mean, even Germany, China and Russia have had the good sense to play wait and see with the Brit conditions.

What do I think happened? Simple, the undecided countries really went for Blair's proposal, this paniced Paris, after the bruising last week they took in the SC, they could not afford another humiliation. So, they are trying to scare off this new proposal by announcing they will veto ANYTHING.

[ClancyJ]

Good points. This should be a great warning note to any EU members. This is their future - no action unless approved by the likes of Chirac - which means NO ACTION.

[SarahFree]

Sky News is reporting that the Queen has cancelled a trip to Belgium.

Diplomatic sources added: "It would be considered inappropriate for her to be outside the United Kingdom at such a sensitive time."

The Queen had been due to visit Brussels on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of King Albert.

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-12267985,00.html