3.2 |
Development of UK strategy and options, January to April 2002 –
“axis of evil” to Crawford
“… we must
be prepared to act where terrorism or weapons of mass
destruction
threaten
us. The fight against international terrorism is right. We should
pursue it
vigorously.
Not just in Afghanistan but elsewhere. Not just by military means
but by
disrupting
the finances of terrorism … But there should be no let
up.
“If
necessary the action should be military and again, if necessary and
justified, it
should
involve regime change. I have been involved … in three conflicts
involving
regime
change …
“Britain is
immensely proud of the part our forces have played and with the
results
but I can
honestly say that the people most pleased have been the people
living
under the
regime in question …
“We cannot,
of course, intervene in all cases but where countries are engaged
in
the terror
or the WMD business, we should not shirk from confronting them.
Some
can be
offered a way out, a route to respectability. I hope in time that
Syria, Iran
and even
North Korea … A new relationship is on offer. But they must know
that
sponsoring
terrorism or WMD is not acceptable.
“As for
Iraq, I know that some fear precipitate action. They needn’t. We
will proceed
as we did
after September 11, in a calm, measured, sensible but firm way.
But
leaving
Iraq to develop WMD, in flagrant breach of no less than nine
separate UN
Security
Council resolutions, refusing still to allow weapons inspectors
back to do
their work
properly, is not an option. The regime of Saddam is detestable.
Brutal,
repressive,
political opponents routinely tortured and executed: it is a regime
without
a qualm in
sacrificing the lives of its citizens to preserve itself, or
starting wars with
neighbouring
states and it has used chemical weapons against its own
people.
“As I say,
the moment for decision on how to act is not yet with us. But to
allow
weapons of
mass destruction to be developed by a state like Iraq without let
or
hindrance
would be grossly to ignore the lessons of September 11 and we will
not
do it. The
message to Saddam is clear: he has to let the inspectors back in,
anyone,
any time,
any place that the international community demands.”
615.
Thirdly,
quoting the plight of the Middle East, the dispute between India
and
Pakistan
and conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and
Angola, Mr Blair
stated:
“… we
should work hard to broker peace where conflict threatens a
region’s stability
because we
know the dangers of contagion …”
616.
Fourthly, Mr
Blair argued:
“Prevention
is better than cure. The reason it would be crazy for us to clear
out of
Afghanistan
once we had finished militarily, is that if it drifts back into
instability, the
499