Rallying cry ... Gordon Brown
Posted on 09/16/2002 10:45:53 PM PDT by MadIvan
MORE Britons now support military action against Saddam Hussein, a new poll reveals.
The Guardian survey shows that Tony Blair is winning over the wobblers.
And the dramatic statistics were revealed as Chancellor Gordon Brown came out fighting alongside the PM and President George Bush in their bid to end the threat of the Iraqi dictator.
The ICM poll shows that opposition to a war on Saddam has fallen by ten per cent since Mr Blair and the US president began warning the world of the perils of doing nothing.
The figures show 40 per cent oppose strikes on Iraq, with 36 per cent in favour and 24 per cent undecided.
Three weeks ago, 50 per cent opposed military action, with 33 per cent in favour.
Ministers are now confident that the Prime Minister’s strategy is working — and that the tide is turning in favour of a second Gulf War.
One top official said: “We knew that when people considered the outcome of doing nothing, they would realise time has run out for Saddam.”
Mr Brown issued his strongest support yet for Mr Blair and Mr Bush as the International Atomic Energy Agency warned Saddam could be close to having a nuclear bomb.
IAEA bosses revealed they had secret intelligence on Saddam’s weapons.
But they said they could not be 100 per cent sure he is building nukes without making on-site inspections.
Intelligence chiefs also believe Saddam is rebuilding at least three germ warfare labs — after satellite pictures showed construction activity at the sites.
And a Washington official revealed that Saddam had moved missiles and other military equipment near civilian sites “making it harder to hit them in the event of an assault or increasing the likelihood of civilian casualties”.
Mr Brown declared: “There’s absolutely no doubting my determination and the rest of the Government also, that we must take action where action is necessary.
“Proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons is an issue which should concern the whole world community.
The world cannot stand by as someone develops nuclear, chemical and biological weapons or flouts the international community, its laws and decisions.
“We must take action where action is necessary.” Mr Brown’s tough stand will send a clear message to rebel Labour MPs to fall into line.
Backbencher George Galloway — who is on a visit to Baghdad — infuriated No10 yesterday by calling for sanctions on Iraq to be scrapped in return for weapons inspectors going in.
Mr Galloway — who had talks with Saddam a fortnight ago — said Iraq had “millions of friends” worldwide who opposed American “aggression”.
Meanwhile US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld urged world leaders not to wait for a “smoking gun” before striking Saddam.
He vowed to share a dossier on the dictator’s support for terrorists with Mr Blair and other Nato leaders when they meet next week.
But he revealed there was no one piece of evidence which proved Saddam’s links to Osama bin Laden — or showed he was about to launch nuclear warheads at the West.
Mr Rumsfeld said: “The goal will be to try to take the pieces and help people understand that it isn’t simple.
There isn’t a single smoking gun where everyone nods and says. ‘Aha, that’s it!’
“If we wait for a smoking gun in this instance, we’d obviously find it after the fact — after the lethal weapons were used against the United States, our friends and allies.
“That’s a little late when you’re dealing with that level of lethal capability.”
US Secretary of State Colin Powell last night upped the diplomatic pressure for a United Nations resolution backing action to oust Saddam.
He held talks with UN Security Council members Mexico, Colombia and Syria in a bid to secure their votes.
Britain has already offered the US a 20,000-strong force for an assault on Baghdad.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon spelled out details of the UK force to Mr Rumsfeld.
And Mr Rumsfeld yesterday unveiled plans for a new Nato Rapid Response Force, with the best European troops coming together for special missions.
As I've said, once Blair exercised leadership, the polls turned. Keep in mind the poll mentioned in this article was done by the Guardian, so naturally it skews left. They must be horrified down at the Guardian editorial board. ;)
Regards, Ivan
Another choice one-liner from Rumsfeld.
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