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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blair stands by US relationship | Blair stands by US relationship |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Tony Blair has defended Britain's relationship with the US, after it was claimed he failed to wield significant influence over President Bush. | Tony Blair has defended Britain's relationship with the US, after it was claimed he failed to wield significant influence over President Bush. |
| Mr Blair said moving away from the US would have a devastating impact on the UK's international standing. | Mr Blair said moving away from the US would have a devastating impact on the UK's international standing. |
| Speaking in Dubai he said the close relationship was a "strength" and had been a cornerstone of policy for years. | Speaking in Dubai he said the close relationship was a "strength" and had been a cornerstone of policy for years. |
| The Chatham House report said his legacy would be the "disaster" of Iraq and his failure to influence the US. | The Chatham House report said his legacy would be the "disaster" of Iraq and his failure to influence the US. |
| Asked about the report by Britain's leading foreign policy think tank Chatham House, Mr Blair said he had not read it. | Asked about the report by Britain's leading foreign policy think tank Chatham House, Mr Blair said he had not read it. |
| If you, back away from [the relationship with America]... we'll pay a very heavy price in the future Tony Blair Blair 'failed to influence Bush' href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5072&edition=1" class="">Send us your views | |
| But he said that one of the greatest myths in politics was that close ties with America harmed Britain's attempts to solve problems in the Middle East. | But he said that one of the greatest myths in politics was that close ties with America harmed Britain's attempts to solve problems in the Middle East. |
| "People know that, whether it's Israel/Palestine, or it's sorting out the economic problems of the region, or it's on any of the major challenges that face our world today - from climate change through to world trade through to global poverty through to the fight against terrorism - whether in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere - it can't be done without America." | "People know that, whether it's Israel/Palestine, or it's sorting out the economic problems of the region, or it's on any of the major challenges that face our world today - from climate change through to world trade through to global poverty through to the fight against terrorism - whether in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere - it can't be done without America." |
| He added: "If you back away from [the relationship with America], and give it up because you get under pressure from parts of the media or public opinion, we'll pay a very heavy price in the future. | He added: "If you back away from [the relationship with America], and give it up because you get under pressure from parts of the media or public opinion, we'll pay a very heavy price in the future. |
| "That's my belief as prime minister and, if you really want to know, I think that most people when they're actually in the position, having to take the decisions, will come to the same view". | "That's my belief as prime minister and, if you really want to know, I think that most people when they're actually in the position, having to take the decisions, will come to the same view". |
| Iraq 'debacle' | Iraq 'debacle' |
| In his report, outgoing Chatham House director Victor Bulmer-Thomas said the Iraq invasion had been a "terrible mistake" and, along with the post war "debacle", had damaged the UK's global influence. | In his report, outgoing Chatham House director Victor Bulmer-Thomas said the Iraq invasion had been a "terrible mistake" and, along with the post war "debacle", had damaged the UK's global influence. |
| He said Mr Blair's successor would have to build better relations with Europe, and distance themselves from the US. | He said Mr Blair's successor would have to build better relations with Europe, and distance themselves from the US. |
| The report found that, despite military, political and financial sacrifices by the UK, there was no evidence Mr Blair had been unable to influence the Bush administration in "any significant way". | The report found that, despite military, political and financial sacrifices by the UK, there was no evidence Mr Blair had been unable to influence the Bush administration in "any significant way". |
| Iraq would overshadow Mr Blair's record, said the report | Iraq would overshadow Mr Blair's record, said the report |
| "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." |
| But Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told the BBC the report was "just plain wrong". | But Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told the BBC the report was "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". |