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Blair pushes Mid East peace to US | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Tony Blair has told the US inquiry into future policy options that resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict is crucial to the future of Iraq. | |
He told the Iraq Study Group the biggest factor in getting support from moderate Muslim countries was progress on Israel and Palestine. | |
Speaking by video link he told the group a plan for Iraq and the region as a whole was needed, his spokesman said. | |
The ISG is expected to report its findings to President Bush in weeks. | |
The prime minister's spokesman added later that Mr Blair thought there was a "realistic" chance of progress on the Israel-Palestine conflict and he intended to visit the region before the end of the year. | |
'Axis of Evil' | 'Axis of Evil' |
The ISG, headed by former US Secretary of State James Baker, is thought to be considering encouraging Iran and Syria to take a role in bringing stability to Iraq. | |
President Bush has indicated later that there would be no softening on policy towards Iran and Syria - countries he once described as being part of an "Axis of Evil". | |
In his speech to the Lord Mayor's Banquet on Monday night, Mr Blair accused Iran of exploiting what he called "pressure points" in the region - Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine - in a bid to thwart international efforts to rein in its nuclear programme. | In his speech to the Lord Mayor's Banquet on Monday night, Mr Blair accused Iran of exploiting what he called "pressure points" in the region - Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine - in a bid to thwart international efforts to rein in its nuclear programme. |
It would be a mistake, I think, to imagine that in the next few weeks these countries are going to turn around and say: 'Oh yes, we will help you out in Iraq' William HagueShadow foreign secretary 'No softening' on Iran, Syria What Iran and Syria want | It would be a mistake, I think, to imagine that in the next few weeks these countries are going to turn around and say: 'Oh yes, we will help you out in Iraq' William HagueShadow foreign secretary 'No softening' on Iran, Syria What Iran and Syria want |
He said partnership was possible if Iran helped the Middle East peace process, stopped supporting terrorism in Lebanon or Iraq and abided by their international obligations. | He said partnership was possible if Iran helped the Middle East peace process, stopped supporting terrorism in Lebanon or Iraq and abided by their international obligations. |
Otherwise it faced isolation, he said. | Otherwise it faced isolation, he said. |
'Bullying' language | 'Bullying' language |
There has been no official response from the Iranian government, but Sadegh Ziba Kalam, professor of politics at Tehran University, said Mr Blair's "bullying" language had disappointed many Iranians. | There has been no official response from the Iranian government, but Sadegh Ziba Kalam, professor of politics at Tehran University, said Mr Blair's "bullying" language had disappointed many Iranians. |
"Mr Blair was actually threatening the Iranian leader," he said. | "Mr Blair was actually threatening the Iranian leader," he said. |
"That wasn't at all the gesture and atmosphere of the talks that one expects when one is trying to seek a conciliatory atmosphere." | "That wasn't at all the gesture and atmosphere of the talks that one expects when one is trying to seek a conciliatory atmosphere." |
The PM's appearance was via video link to the US | |
He said both Washington and the British government needed to recognise the Islamic regime in Iran. | He said both Washington and the British government needed to recognise the Islamic regime in Iran. |
"Unless there is a change of attitude, I honesty don't see how any positive steps can be taken towards solving the crisis in Iraq," he said. | "Unless there is a change of attitude, I honesty don't see how any positive steps can be taken towards solving the crisis in Iraq," he said. |
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC it was sensible to invite Iran and Syria to talks "on the right terms". | Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC it was sensible to invite Iran and Syria to talks "on the right terms". |
But he added: "It would be a mistake, I think, to imagine that in the next few weeks these countries are going to turn around and say: 'Oh yes, we will help you out in Iraq'. | But he added: "It would be a mistake, I think, to imagine that in the next few weeks these countries are going to turn around and say: 'Oh yes, we will help you out in Iraq'. |
"Then other things are going to have to happen to bring internal stability to Iraq and, I think, build a group of countries far beyond Iran and Syria - Turkey and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt - to work together in trying to stabilise Iraq." | "Then other things are going to have to happen to bring internal stability to Iraq and, I think, build a group of countries far beyond Iran and Syria - Turkey and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt - to work together in trying to stabilise Iraq." |
He added later that the prime minister "must give a frank assessment of the situation in Iraq to Parliament when he speaks tomorrow". | He added later that the prime minister "must give a frank assessment of the situation in Iraq to Parliament when he speaks tomorrow". |
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell agreed Iran and Syria had a role to play, but said it "is galling that the prime minister will outline his ideas regarding a strategy change to the Baker Commission, when the government has refused Parliament the same opportunity". | Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell agreed Iran and Syria had a role to play, but said it "is galling that the prime minister will outline his ideas regarding a strategy change to the Baker Commission, when the government has refused Parliament the same opportunity". |