The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #56068 Message #875315
Posted By: McGrath of Harlow
26-Jan-03 - 03:08 PM
Thread Name: BS: Germany and France are not Europe
Subject: RE: BS: Germany and France are not Europe
Blair is now saying that the inspectors should be given more time
Don't build too much on that. He's had to say that all along, because it's difficult manoeuvring a country that is opposed to going to war, and a party that is opposed to war, into actually going to war.
"More time" means weeks rather than months. Remember this war has to fit in with the American electoral cycle, which means it needs to be sorted before this time next year, which means within the next couple of months, they say, because they don't fancy fighting a war in the hot weather in Iraq.
The significant Blair news today was in the Observer's lead story today, beginning:
Tony Blair has raised the temperature in the confrontation with Iraq by insisting there is no need for United Nations weapons inspectors to find a 'smoking gun' for Saddam Hussein to be in breach of UN resolutions and face military action.
In other words, all the arms inspections have really been about is treading water until the full-scale attack on Iraq can begin in a few weeks time.