Menu
18/07/2003
Blair and Bush stand behind decision to go to war
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush have stood firm in their decision to go to war, amid continued questions over the reliability of key intelligence claims about Saddam Hussein's military capabilities.
The Prime Minister was in Washington on Thursday to deliver a key address to US Congress, in which he described Saddam Hussein as responsible for "inhuman carnage and suffering". He went on to state his belief that history would perceive the removal of the Iraqi premier as a positive move, even if firm evidence of weapons of mass destruction ultimately proved elusive.
Speaking after the address, President Bush said he was assured that the decision to invade Iraq had been based on sound reasons. He added: "Saddam Hussein produced and possessed chemical and biological weapons, and was trying to reconstitute his nuclear weapons programme. We won't be proven wrong."
Tony Blair is now flying to Japan, where he will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in the first part of a visit that will see Mr Blair travel on to China, Hong Kong and South Korea. The issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons programme is set to be high on the agenda, as numerous countries in the region have expressed concern over North Korea's development of weapons-grade plutonium.
(CL)
The Prime Minister was in Washington on Thursday to deliver a key address to US Congress, in which he described Saddam Hussein as responsible for "inhuman carnage and suffering". He went on to state his belief that history would perceive the removal of the Iraqi premier as a positive move, even if firm evidence of weapons of mass destruction ultimately proved elusive.
Speaking after the address, President Bush said he was assured that the decision to invade Iraq had been based on sound reasons. He added: "Saddam Hussein produced and possessed chemical and biological weapons, and was trying to reconstitute his nuclear weapons programme. We won't be proven wrong."
Tony Blair is now flying to Japan, where he will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in the first part of a visit that will see Mr Blair travel on to China, Hong Kong and South Korea. The issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons programme is set to be high on the agenda, as numerous countries in the region have expressed concern over North Korea's development of weapons-grade plutonium.
(CL)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 February 2004
Libya adopts Chemical Weapons Convention
Weapons inspectors have met with the Libyan government today as the Chemical Weapons Convention, which the country adopted last month, comes into force. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were in Tripoli today after Libya became the 159th State to join the convention.
Libya adopts Chemical Weapons Convention
Weapons inspectors have met with the Libyan government today as the Chemical Weapons Convention, which the country adopted last month, comes into force. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were in Tripoli today after Libya became the 159th State to join the convention.
26 September 2003
Leaked WMD report is 'damaging blow' for Blair, say Tories
The Tories have claimed that Prime Minister Tony Blair's credibility has suffered "another damaging blow" following a leaked report claiming that a specialist search team had failed to find any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
Leaked WMD report is 'damaging blow' for Blair, say Tories
The Tories have claimed that Prime Minister Tony Blair's credibility has suffered "another damaging blow" following a leaked report claiming that a specialist search team had failed to find any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
03 June 2003
PM rejects calls for public inquiry into WMDs
The Prime Minister has rejected fresh calls today for an independent public inquiry into the nature of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Instead it is expected that Mr Blair will formally task the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to investigate the issue in the Commons tomorrow.
PM rejects calls for public inquiry into WMDs
The Prime Minister has rejected fresh calls today for an independent public inquiry into the nature of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Instead it is expected that Mr Blair will formally task the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to investigate the issue in the Commons tomorrow.
19 January 2011
Release Of Bush Blair Memos Vetoed
The public disclosure of a number of secret memos between former Prime Minister Blair and ex US President Bush, sent during the run up to the Iraq invasion, has been blocked. The potentially politically volatile memos were determined to be made public as part of the ongoing Chilcot Inquiry into the war by the inquiry chairman, Sir John Chilcot.
Release Of Bush Blair Memos Vetoed
The public disclosure of a number of secret memos between former Prime Minister Blair and ex US President Bush, sent during the run up to the Iraq invasion, has been blocked. The potentially politically volatile memos were determined to be made public as part of the ongoing Chilcot Inquiry into the war by the inquiry chairman, Sir John Chilcot.
20 July 2007
Blair 'pleased' by honours inquiry ruling
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that he is "very pleased" by the news that the cash-for-honours inquiry has ended with no charges being brought.
Blair 'pleased' by honours inquiry ruling
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that he is "very pleased" by the news that the cash-for-honours inquiry has ended with no charges being brought.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will remain cloudy through the evening and overnight with some mist or the odd spot of drizzle possible at times. Light southwest winds continue. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
