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Scottish Sunday: Q&A with Prime Minister Tony Blair on Iraq

Question 1: Are you not concerned about the greater threat from Islamic-based terror organizations?

Blair: Saddam's Iraq is a corrupt and dangerous regime, and we do face a serious threat from terrorist organizations. By ensuring Saddam is disarmed, we can reduce the threat. Terrorist organizations are actively seeking weapons of mass destruction, and if they obtain them, they would not hesitate to use them against innocent people. Therefore, acting to disarm Saddam is crucial to maintaining global security and preventing the proliferation of WMD.

Question 2: Is Resolution 1441 designed for Iraq to fail?

Blair: Resolution 1441 is straightforward and provides Saddam with a final opportunity to comply with his disarmament obligations. It requires him to give an accurate declaration of his WMD and provide full cooperation with UN inspectors. However, Saddam has failed to fulfill these requirements. Without his cooperation, disarmament is virtually impossible. The purpose of Resolution 1441 is to achieve disarmament peacefully, but Saddam's non-compliance shows his intentions.

Question 3: How can you justify the horror that may befall the people of Iraq?

Blair: Ensuring Saddam's disarmament is crucial to prevent further bloodshed and devastation in Iraq and neighboring countries. If military action becomes necessary, every effort will be made to avoid civilian casualties. It is important to recognize that life is far from normal in Iraq under Saddam's regime. He has caused immense suffering and subjected his own people to chemical weapons attacks and human rights abuses. Removing Saddam from power would benefit the ordinary Iraqi people in the long run.

Question 4: Why are we not intervening in other countries ruled by despots?

Blair: Military action in Iraq is aimed at ensuring Saddam's disarmament, not overthrowing him. The explicit UN resolutions demanding Saddam's disarmament set Iraq apart. While the situation in Zimbabwe is deeply concerning, we are not in the same position as we are with Iraq. However, the UK and the international community are not turning a blind eye to the challenges in Africa, as seen by our intervention in Sierra Leone to restore peace and protect democratic governance.

Question 5: How will you justify war if the United Nations refuses to authorize it?

Blair: The UN has been trying for 12 years to get Saddam to disarm peacefully. If he does not comply with the UN resolutions, serious consequences must follow to uphold the authority of the UN. While military action is not the desired outcome, we hope that Saddam takes the opportunity to disarm peacefully. If necessary, we will seek to build support for military action in order to enforce the UN's authority.

Question 6: How do you morally justify a policy that departs from international norms?

Blair: UN efforts to peacefully disarm Saddam have been unsuccessful for 12 years. It is unrealistic to expect disarmament without Saddam's cooperation, particularly in a country as large as Iraq. The world becomes more dangerous if Saddam continues to defy the UN and retains his WMD. Allowing this would lead to future conflicts that would be more destructive. Upholding the authority of the UN in dealing with rogue states developing WMD is crucial for global security.

Question 7: How can you justify a pre-emptive strike against a country with weapons of mass destruction?

Blair: Saddam, not us, has used weapons of mass destruction against his own people and neighboring countries. Our aim is not to use such weapons but to ensure Saddam's disarmament. We have never used our chemical or biological weapons and have no plans to use them. It is crucial to remove the threat posed by Saddam's WMD, as he has repeatedly defied UN resolutions calling for disarmament.

Question 8: Why force the UK to participate in an aggression against Iraq that lacks legality and public support?

Blair: As a member of the UN Security Council, the UK is obligated to uphold the UN's authority. The unanimous vote in November warned Saddam of serious consequences if he did not comply with his disarmament obligations. While the legality of military action is determined by international law, the majority of citizens' opinions cannot solely guide decisions in matters of global security. It is essential to prevent future threats by addressing Saddam's non-compliance with the UN's resolutions.

Question 9: How do you reconcile a pre-emptive attack with your Christian beliefs?

Blair: I take my beliefs and values very seriously. I would never engage in a war that I believed to be morally wrong or not in the best interests of the UK. The decision to use military force is never taken lightly, and I firmly believe that if necessary, it must be done for the right reasons and to create a safer and better world. My actions in Kosovo and Afghanistan demonstrate that military intervention, despite its challenges, can help protect innocent lives and promote peace.

Question 10: Why hasn't detailed knowledge supporting Iraq's threat been shared?

Blair: While Iraq may not pose an immediate attack on other nations, terrorist groups' desperate pursuit of WMD is a significant concern. Unstable states like Iraq are likely sources of these weapons. By letting Saddam keep his WMD, we would send a dangerous signal of weakness, making the world more susceptible to catastrophic terrorist attacks. The international community's response to Saddam's defiance is crucial to preserving global security.

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