The Hindu : U.K. `cautions' U.S. on Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 10, 2002

International

International

U.K. `cautions' U.S. on Iraq

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON AUG. 9. With pressure mounting on the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, not to rush to a decision on Iraq, Britain is reported to have cautioned Washington that an attack on Baghdad in the current climate could have implications for other trouble spots around the world, including Kashmir where the Muslim opinion is likely to be inflamed.

Britain is believed to be particularly concerned that a military intervention in Iraq without first reviving the Palestinian peace process could further complicate the situation in the region, particularly in view of the openly hostile position which America's traditional Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan have taken on the issue.

British officials were quoted as disagreeing with the American position that "you can deal with Iraq in a separate box'', as one official put it. "It doesn't mean that you cannot do anything until there is a settlement in the Middle East (West Asia) but you have to make progress. We want the Americans to say they are going to fix it in the Middle East,'' he told a newspaper.

On Friday, The Independent pointed to a "deepening discord'' between Britain and the U.S. quoting Whitehall officials as saying that Americans appeared to be overlooking the risk that an attack on Iraq would `contaminate' the situation in Israel, Afghanistan and Kashmir. For the first time since the Iraq debate started, Britain is seen to be moderating its position.

The Government's anxiety on the issue has been fuelled by the findings of a poll commissioned by Downing Street — revealing the U.S. President George W.Bush's "spectacular unpopularity'' among British voters.

The poll done by Mr. Blair's personal pollster, Philip Gould, showed that Mr. Bush was even more unpopular than the Tories regarded as Britain's most unpopular political class.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

3 killed in Pak. church attack

Iraq reminded of commitments

Interference will not be tolerated in polls: Pak.

53 cases against Hasina

Pak. takes up detentions with U.S.

Floods hit health resort

Tanaka quits ending a painful chapter

Votaries of `jehad' warn Musharraf Govt.

CIA blueprint for W. Asia rivals

Charges against Berlusconi may not stick

Ivanov to visit Pak.

U.K. `cautions' U.S. on Iraq

PM, Advani to visit U.S.

Chandrika rules out fresh polls