The Hindu : U.K. finds few takers for attack on Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 18, 2002

International

International

U.K. finds few takers for attack on Iraq

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON MARCH 17. Barely a few weeks before the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is to meet the U.S. President, George W. Bush in Washington to discuss the next phase of the war on terrorism, Britain has been told by its European allies that they would oppose any military attack on Iraq unless there is a U.N. mandate for it.

Britain was isolated on the issue when it figured on the sidelines of the European leaders' summit in Barcelona at the weekend with Germany, France and Turkey making it clear that they do not have the appetite for what they regard as an unwarranted military adventure driven by America's own agenda and endorsed by Mr. Blair despite growing unease within his own Government. According to a leading British newspaper, top military officials have warned that any war against Iraq is "doomed to fail and would lead to the loss of lives for little political gain." The newspaper said defence sources feared that there could be an Arab backlash if Iraq was attacked.

The warning came amid signs of increasing anxiety in Europe over the American obsession with Baghdad. The European Commission President, Romano Prodi, echoed the anti-war sentiment on the continent when he told the BBC that he was deeply worried about a possible attack on Iraq. He said it had the "potential" of provoking a wider conflict. The German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, took a hard line saying any such move must have U.N. backing. "It's a position of principle of which our American partners are also aware," a spokesperson for Mr. Schroeder said.

France too let it be known that it would not be drawn into any unilateral military involvement in Iraq, making a distinction between its support for the campaign in Afghanistan and the threatened moves against Baghdad. In the case of Afghanistan, there was clear proof that the Al-Qaeda operated from that country but Iraq was "different", French government sources were quoted as saying.

Turkey, an important member of NATO, also threw its weight behind the sceptics saying it did not believe Iraq posed a threat to its neighbours. Sensing the mood, Britain did not press the issue at the Barcelona summit and Mr. Blair played down the widening rift saying: "We are not at the point of decision on this or near it. When we are, I have no doubt we will discuss things closely."

Back at home, the simmering "revolt" gathered steam with Labour backbenchers accusing Mr. Blair of being "out of touch" with public opinion. More than 170 MPs — and not just the "usual suspects" — have already signed a parliamentary motion opposing Britain's support for American moves in Iraq.

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