Tony Blair's remarks at Chilcot Inquiry

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/161271.html


Tony Blair's remarks on his second appearance at Chilcot Inquiry have sparked different reactions across the political spectrum.

Followings are summarized version of his remarks.

On UN resolution

America and England had tried to obtain the second UN resolution. Chile and Mexico "caught between a rock and a hard place" since they wanted to give a support but France had warned a veto. French had informed that they would veto any resolution. Then American/French relationship had turned into "very scratchy" relation.

On complying with the UN resolutions

France asserted that Saddam Hussein had toed the line partly with weapons inspectors. However, it was not wise to permit the weapons inspectors the further time as Saddam was not straight about complying with the UN resolutions.

On Saddam Hussein

The Iraqi president Saddam had made the threats of killing the families of who complied with weapons inspectors. This is not considered as a logical compliance.

The Former Prime Minister said that Saddam Hussein would probably be the president of Iraq if America and England had stepped back from Iraq.

On Goldsmith legal advice

Regarding his ignorance to the legal advice of Lord Goldsmith, his top adviser, Tony Blair has admitted that he wished he had welcomed Goldsmith's warning and he had been more engaged with the UN Resolution 1441.

On assuring Bush

Tony Blair had convinced American president George Bush to close the eyes to his own government's guidance. Blair had pledged the American president that Britain would support US in the invasion. Blair told Bush “You can count on us, but here are the issues and difficulties” which he later sketched out privately to President Bush.

On changing the Iraqi regime

The fact of changing the Iraqi regime was not considered as the UK policy Iraq but to deal with the WMD issue. The US president desired a change in the Iraqi regime.

On dealing with Iraq

The principal subject of the British cabinet had been the problems of Iraq. The Iraq threat had needed to be dealt with. The former Labour party leader has been proud of rooting out Saddam Hussein.

Tony Blair refuted the idea of preparing for the outcome of the Iraq war, saying that it was left to the American president.

On September 11

Tony Blair has argued that the Britain government had acted side by side with the American government after the terroristic attacks of September 11.