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Blair addresses US Iraq inquiry Blair pushes Mid East peace to US
(about 3 hours later)
Tony Blair is giving evidence by video link to the US inquiry into future policy options, a day after urging Iran and Syria to join the "push for peace". Tony Blair has told the US inquiry into future policy options that resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict is crucial to the future of Iraq.
The session with the Iraq Study Group is private, but the prime minister is thought to be repeating those calls. He told the Iraq Study Group the biggest factor in getting support from moderate Muslim countries was progress on Israel and Palestine.
He said a partnership was possible if Iran stopped supporting terrorism and abandoned its nuclear ambitions. 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 thought to be considering encouraging Iran and Syria to take a role in bringing stability to Iraq. The ISG is expected to report its findings to President Bush in weeks.
President Bush addressed the group, headed by former US Secretary of State James Baker and expected to report within weeks, on Monday. 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'
But he 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". 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 wantIt 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."
President Bush met the ISG on Monday 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".