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BY ADNAN S. KHAN
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BLAIR: “In the end you – you got a very clear and simple decision to take here. America is going to tackle this issue. The first question is do we want it to be a coalition? And my belief was, it was extremely important for the international community to hold together at this point.”
Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair came out swinging in defense of his decision to join the U.S. in the Iraq War. His critics charge he misinformed the public and bypassed the U.N. to invade Iraq.
Fox News says the five-member panel was convened when new evidence cast doubt over his testimony last year. New documents and letters produced by the panel suggests he misled the public and British government.
“[Former U.S Secretary of State Colin] Powell told Blair they should focus ‘a Rolls-Royce information campaign’ on human rights abuses by Saddam's regime.”
BBC says the documents revealed Blair had promised support for the U.S. invasion as early as 2002. This latest testimony was seen as an opportunity for Blair to defend himself.
“Mr. Blair held to his claim that 9/11 changed everything because of the risk that terrorists could get hold of weapons of mass destruction. It was an attack not on America but the West.”
According to CNN, the blame might not solely lie on Blair’s shoulders.
REPORTER: “Others argue it’s unfair to pick on Blair, especially since the British House of Commons voted for military action and he still won the 2005 election.”
DENISE MACSHANE: “If Mr. Blair was soo wrong, soo rejected and should be in the hot seat today, why did the Commons vote for it? Why did the people re-elect him?”
But the Telegraph says this whole debate has become ancient history and this latest inquiry won’t reveal anything new.
“A further enquiry, however cerebral and distinguished its panel, will not shed further light. This has gone beyond a matter of facts – it is an issue of anger and emotion.
Blair did issue an apology for the loss of lives in Iraq.
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