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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Blair 'failed to influence Bush' | Blair 'failed to influence Bush' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The "disaster" of Iraq and Tony Blair's failure to influence US policy will overshadow his time as prime minister, a leading UK think tank has said. | The "disaster" of Iraq and Tony Blair's failure to influence US policy will overshadow his time as prime minister, a leading UK think tank has said. |
| The invasion and the post-war "debacle" have damaged the UK's global influence, said the Chatham House report. | The invasion and the post-war "debacle" have damaged the UK's global influence, said the Chatham House report. |
| Outgoing director Victor Bulmer-Thomas said Mr Blair's successor would have to build better relations with Europe. | Outgoing director Victor Bulmer-Thomas said Mr Blair's successor would have to build better relations with Europe. |
| But Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told the BBC the "whole thesis of this note is just plain wrong". | But Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told the BBC the "whole thesis of this note is just plain wrong". |
| She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Nobody said that Tony Blair has so much influence that single-handedly he can solve all the problems of the world." | She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Nobody said that Tony Blair has so much influence that single-handedly he can solve all the problems of the world." |
| But, Mrs Beckett added: "The notion that we do not have any influence out there [in the Middle East], or in the European Union, or in the United States is just not true." | But, Mrs Beckett added: "The notion that we do not have any influence out there [in the Middle East], or in the European Union, or in the United States is just not true." |
| She said Mr Blair probably had some "regrets" about what had happened in Iraq but not the "toppling of Saddam Hussein". | She said Mr Blair probably had some "regrets" about what had happened in Iraq but not the "toppling of Saddam Hussein". |
| The Chatham House report found that, despite military, political and financial sacrifices by the UK, Mr Blair had been unable to influence the Bush administration in "any significant way". | The Chatham House report found that, despite military, political and financial sacrifices by the UK, Mr Blair had been unable to influence the Bush administration in "any significant way". |
| Blair has learned the hard way that loyalty in international politics counts for nothing Professor Bulmer-Thomas Rebalancing UK foreign policy | Blair has learned the hard way that loyalty in international politics counts for nothing Professor Bulmer-Thomas Rebalancing UK foreign policy |
| It said there was no evidence British pressure had led to Mr Bush accepting a two-state solution in the Middle East. | It said there was no evidence British pressure had led to Mr Bush accepting a two-state solution in the Middle East. |
| "Blair has learned the hard way that loyalty in international politics counts for nothing," said Professor Bulmer-Thomas. | "Blair has learned the hard way that loyalty in international politics counts for nothing," said Professor Bulmer-Thomas. |
| "And his successor will not make the same mistake of offering unconditional support for US initiatives in foreign policy at the expense of a more positive relationship with Europe." | "And his successor will not make the same mistake of offering unconditional support for US initiatives in foreign policy at the expense of a more positive relationship with Europe." |
| Rethink euro | Rethink euro |
| The report, which assessed British foreign policy since 1997, says Mr Blair's successor would also have to rethink Britain's role within the European Union and distance it from the US. | The report, which assessed British foreign policy since 1997, says Mr Blair's successor would also have to rethink Britain's role within the European Union and distance it from the US. |
| The new prime minister would have to look again at opposition to the euro and the Schengen agreement, which ends controls on international frontiers. | The new prime minister would have to look again at opposition to the euro and the Schengen agreement, which ends controls on international frontiers. |
| Professor Bulmer-Thomas said Mr Blair's foreign policy during his first term, 1997 to 2001, had been a "qualified success". | Professor Bulmer-Thomas said Mr Blair's foreign policy during his first term, 1997 to 2001, had been a "qualified success". |
| The report said the next PM must rethink Britain's European role | The report said the next PM must rethink Britain's European role |
| He demonstrated his European credentials, while also forging a close working relationship with then US president Bill Clinton. | He demonstrated his European credentials, while also forging a close working relationship with then US president Bill Clinton. |
| And Libya's decision to abandon its nuclear weapons programme, along with pushing climate change up the international agenda, counted among Mr Blair's successes, the report added. | And Libya's decision to abandon its nuclear weapons programme, along with pushing climate change up the international agenda, counted among Mr Blair's successes, the report added. |
| But Professor Bulmer-Thomas, who steps down as Chatham House director on New Year's Eve, said: "Despite a number of successes, especially in his first term, Tony Blair's time in office will be overshadowed by the disaster in Iraq." | But Professor Bulmer-Thomas, who steps down as Chatham House director on New Year's Eve, said: "Despite a number of successes, especially in his first term, Tony Blair's time in office will be overshadowed by the disaster in Iraq." |
| He said the UK's response to the recent Iraq Study Group findings should be to forge a common European response - or risk international isolation. | He said the UK's response to the recent Iraq Study Group findings should be to forge a common European response - or risk international isolation. |
| 'Stand up' | 'Stand up' |
| In November, comments from a US official that Britain got nothing back from its relationship with the US and that President Bush often ignored Mr Blair were later disowned by the State Department. | In November, comments from a US official that Britain got nothing back from its relationship with the US and that President Bush often ignored Mr Blair were later disowned by the State Department. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Of course Blair has influenced Bush Steve, Nottingham href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5072&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments Spokesman Tom Casey later said: "The comments, frankly, I think, could be described as ill-informed, and I think from our perspective, just plain wrong." | |
| Visiting Iraq this week, Mr Blair reiterated his determination to stand "four square" behind the Iraqi government in its battle to defeat terrorists. | Visiting Iraq this week, Mr Blair reiterated his determination to stand "four square" behind the Iraqi government in its battle to defeat terrorists. |
| He told British troops: "If we don't stand up and fight for the people of tolerance and moderation who want to live together, whatever their fate, then the people of hatred and sectarianism will triumph." | He told British troops: "If we don't stand up and fight for the people of tolerance and moderation who want to live together, whatever their fate, then the people of hatred and sectarianism will triumph." |