A rchive Date
[ 17-03-2003 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Britain ]
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[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2858875.stm
Back us over Iraq - Straw
Jack Straw has outlined to MPs why he thinks they should back the government over possible war with Iraq.
The foreign secretary said the decision had been taken "reluctantly" to abandon further attempts to win UN backing. The looming conflict was due to a combination of French intransigence and Saddam Hussein's refusal to disarm, he said.
Mr Straw's statement came within hours of the resignation of Robin Cook over the government's stance on Iraq. The former leader of the house won an unprecedented Commons ovation after explaining to MPs why he quit saying that neither international nor domestic opinion was persuaded of the case for war.
Earlier Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said Saddam Hussein had only two options: Exile or disarmament by force. That was echoed by Mr Straw who said that a forthcoming vote on military action would follow MPs' most important debate for many years. And he warned that giving more time to Iraq could "only bring comfort to tyrants and emasculate the authority of the United Nations"
Shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram said that "put bluntly the talking is over" leaving the UK and its allies facing the "the grim prospect of war." He added: "I hope that in Paris they will reflect tonight on what they have achieved."
Mr Blair held a series of meetings with rebel MPs late on Monday. He will also address the Parliamentary Labour Party ahead of the Commons debate on Tuesday. A vote will then follow after the prime minister asks MPs to authorise the use of "all means necessary" in order to disarm Saddam Hussein. Mr Prescott said the prime minister would also be setting out the humanitarian effort to rebuild Iraq.
Mr Cook said he would be one of those opposing the government. As he left the government ranks Mr Cook had explained: "I can't accept collective responsibility for the decision to commit Britain now to military action in Iraq without international agreement or domestic support."
Short's questions
There had been speculation that International Development Secretary Clare Short, who already threatened to resign, might follow Mr Cook onto the back benches on Monday. But she refused to comment as she left Monday's Cabinet meeting and there have since been mixed messages about her future.
Mr Cook is the first senior figure to quit over Iraq policy and it is being seen as a major blow to Mr Blair as he faces a growing rebellion within his own party. On Monday the Foreign Office advised all Britons in Kuwait, except diplomatic staff, to leave the country. The UN also ordered weapons inspectors and humanitarian personnel out of Iraq.
In an effort to win over sceptics ministers are repeating assurances about the security of Iraq's oil reserves and efforts to resolve the Palestinian crisis. Ahead of Tuesday's Commons debate, rebel MPs warned they will table an amendment to the government's motion stating there is no moral justification for war without a new resolution.
Last time 122 Labour MPs voted against the government. Ex-Labour whip and leading rebel Graham Allen told said that by close of business on Monday 120 MP's of all parties had already signed the amendment.
"Signatories include parliamentary private secretaries who have not previously voted against the rush to unauthorised war," he said.
The amendment was drafted by Mr Allen, Mr Campbell, former Tory government frontbencher Douglas Hogg and Mr Smith. It says that the case for war had yet to be established "especially given the absence of specific UN authorisation".
The Stop The War Coalition is this Saturday organising a repeat of last month's peace rally, which attracted between 750,000 and two million people.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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