Blair to give Iraq evidence to Baker

The Financial Times ^ | November 11, 2006 | James Blitz

[MadIvan]

Tony Blair will next week give evidence to the Iraq Study Group led by James Baker, the former US secretary of state, in the first indication Britain is being consulted by Washington over potential change of policy on the war.

As he continues the task of presenting a range of new policy alternatives on Iraq for President George W. Bush, Mr Baker is expected to interview the UK prime minister by means of a video link on Tuesday.

The decision by the Iraq Study Group to interview Mr Blair is an important boost for Downing Street, amid fears that Britain might be excluded from the US reassessment of Iraq policy following the Democrats’ victory in the congressional elections.

Downing Street last night gave no details of what Mr Blair would tell Mr Baker and his co-chairman, retired US congressman Lee Hamilton. However, the prime minister is expected to set out his latest thoughts on Iraq on Monday in his annual Mansion House foreign policy speech.

Mr Blair is certain to tell Mr Baker that the US and UK must not “cut and run”, remaining in Iraq until Baghdad can manage the security situation on its own. Mr Blair has told allies he is confident that the Baker-Hamilton committee will make no such recommendation.

Margaret Beckett, UK foreign secretary, spelt out the UK’s position this week saying there would be no “precipitate” moves to withdraw UK troops. However, the prime minister is likely to be probed on the extent to which he believes Syria and Iran can be involved in attempts to put Iraq on a stable footing.

Mr Blair has recently launched a diplomatic initiative towards Syria, sending his most senior foreign policy adviser to Damascus to meet President Bashar al-Assad.

Mr Blair is looking to see whether Syria can be coaxed into playing a constructive role in attempts to revive the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

In recent weeks, Mr Blair has expressed no enthusiasm for engaging Syria and Iran in plans to put the Iraqi government on a firmer footing. He believes that the Iranian regime must be firmly faced down in its bid to acquire nuclear weapons.

However, recent leaks of the Baker-Hamilton committee’s findings suggest that the ISG is looking at whether the Syrian and Iranian regimes can be involved in attempts to stabilise the situation in Iraq.

[MadIvan]

Uh oh. When the Iraq Study Group is taking a softer line on Syria than a Labour Prime Minister - something is wrong.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[RobFromGa]

Anyone who thinks Syria can be trusted is plain NUTS.

[kb2614]

However, recent leaks of the Baker-Hamilton committee’s findings suggest that the ISG is looking at whether the Syrian and Iranian regimes can be involved in attempts to stabilise the situation in Iraq.

Ummmmm,,,,,,yeah,,,,,right.

[Darkwolf377]

Well, I have a huge plate of crow to eat. Looks like W is looking to cut-and-run.

[Darkwolf377]

And I know this isn't W, but he is positioning himself to accept the group's advice and give all the credit to the Dems for getting us out of Iraq, making him the total appeaser in an effort to win popularity.

I haven't seen a RYMB around here since Tuesday, and I'm starting to think he's dropped the M part and kept the rest.

[veronica]

And maybe sell out Israel in the process. Ollie North claims one of Baker's recommendations is to scale back support of Israel.

[hinckley buzzard]

James Baker and Lee Hamilton are hired for the explicit purpose of providing "neutral nonpartisan" cover for cutting and running--probably blaming Israel for the whole thing while they're at it.

This is proved beyond a shadow of a doubt by the insane proposition that Syria and Iran would ever want to stabilize an Iraqi democracy. Hell they're the ones instigating and maintaining the violence.

[libertylover]

However, the prime minister is likely to be probed on the extent to which he believes Syria and Iran can be involved in attempts to put Iraq on a stable footing.

Good God! Are Baker and Hamilton so stupid as to think we can trust Syria and Iran to help the situation? Hint to to Baker and Hamilton: Syria and Iran are the cause of the instability.

[libertylover]

And another thing. They should go to see Mr. Blair in person.

[Miss Marple]

Well, before you get yourself in a deep dark depression, Syria and Iran do have to be involved...by stopping their thugs from coming into Iraq.

Now it may be that we can get them to stop diplomatically, but there is always that worry that they just can't be too sure about what W will do.

[Mo1]

However, recent leaks of the Baker-Hamilton committee’s findings suggest that the ISG is looking at whether the Syrian and Iranian regimes can be involved in attempts to stabilise the situation in Iraq.

Baker is so 1991 if he thinks for one minute we can trust or even do business Syrian and Iranian

[snowsislander]

However, recent leaks of the Baker-Hamilton committee’s findings suggest that the ISG is looking at whether the Syrian and Iranian regimes can be involved in attempts to stabilise the situation in Iraq.

Syria and Iran are members of our "State Sponsors of Terrorism" list. How on earth do Mr. Baker or Mr. Hamilton think inviting in the raving lunatics running Iran would "stabilize" Iraq? Iran and Syria are already providing plenty of problems for us on the ground now --- inviting them officially would be tantamount to asking the foxes into the henhouse.

[backtothestreets]

I think we need to involve Syria and Iran to achieve stability. The involvement should begin with a firm warning that if they allow even one of their population to sneak into Iraq, it will be regarded as a provocative act bringing a quick military response. Likewise the other unnamed key contributor to the Iraqi conflict, Saudi Arabia.

[backtothestreets]

Syria and Iran do have to be involved...by stopping their thugs from coming into Iraq.

BINGO!!!! That's what I'm thinking too. Put the burden on them, and back it with military force if they do not adhere.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel, WOT

..................

[SJackson]

Good God! Are Baker and Hamilton so stupid as to think we can trust Syria and Iran to help the situation? Hint to to Baker and Hamilton: Syria and Iran are the cause of the instability.

As the underlying cause, that leaves us two choices in dealing with the Axis of Evil, fight them or come to some accomodation. The study group will provide the mechanism for accomodation, the decision is still GWB's.

[Perdogg]

I used to think the Bush Administration had a "plan" for Iran and Syria. Maybe I was wrong and they don't.

I am going to be very disappointed if they let Iran/Syria off the hook.

[shield]

Me too...I've not been a fan of Baker as far as the middle east is concerned...he's always been WAY to soft. We saw that in Gulf War 1...allowing Saddamn staying in power...what a huge mistake...

[Valin]

Bump for the morning. Thanks.