Posted on 11/14/2004 2:44:15 PM PST by wagglebee
Europe must unite with the US under the banner of democracy to defeat the scourge of terrorism around the world, Tony Blair will urge on Monday.
The prime minister will defy leftwing critics of the war in Iraq to mount an impassioned defence of Britain's “special relationship” with the US.
In his annual foreign policy speech at the Mansion House in London, Mr Blair will lay out his vision shared with George W. Bush, US president that global terrorism will be defeated only by the spread of democracy. That is the message that should bind Europe and the US, he will indicate, challenging opponents who describe him as Mr Bush's “poodle” by arguing that a strong alliance with both is in Britain's national interest.
The prime minister returns to the offensive over the Anglo-American relationship despite deepening unease among Labour backbenchers about the aftermath of the war in Iraq and Mr Blair's dealings with the US president.
Both men appear to be hoping that domestic opposition to the war in Iraq may be neutralised if a stable democracy is installed through elections in January.
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press yesterday, Mr Blair said: “I think we get an immense amount out of this relationship, because we believe in the same things, we share the same interests. And, you know, where would we be, as Britain or as Europe, if America disengaged from the world and said, “Well, you guys go and sort out allthe problems of the world.”
“So, you know, when people say to me, ‘Where's your payback from this relationship,' my answer is: My payback is the relationship. It is an important relationship for Britain and America.”
A Downing Street insider said on Sunday night: “What you need is democratic world opinion to be united in the pursuit of democracy. In various parts of the world, and the Middle East is one of them, while America has the power Europe has immense amounts of areas of influence.”
However, the reaction of Labour backbenchers suggested that today's speech may do little to ease his problems with the party at Westminster.
John Denham, the former minister who resigned in opposition to Britain's backing for war in Iraq, told the FT last night that he did not believe Mr Blair's speech would resolve the question of what Britain and Europe should do if the Americans refused to put sufficient pressure on the Israelis as part ofthe Middle East peaceprocess.
“The question is to what extent does Britain or indeed other European Union countries take the view that the peace process is in the hands of the Americans, and therefore if the Americans can't deliver there's nothing much that anyone else can do . . . That's the question that won't go away,” he said.
All I have to say is ....God Bless Tony Blair, may God reward him for his loyalty to the USA.
The Tories are in a complete state of disarray. They need to find a new leader who will return them to some of the basic principles of conservatism. In particular, they need to stop bashing the United States, George Bush, and the War on Terror. It's extremely unhelpful, unpatriotic, and politically stupid.
Labour probably would have been out of power long since if the Tories offered a real alternative and stood for something more than expediency.
Good for Tony Blair. God bless Tony Blair. He can come to America after his term is over.
Could not be said better.
Amen.
Bottom line is Tony takes his intelligence reports and briefings seriously.
Thought you might like to read both the article and Cicero's post at #3.
Churchill=Blair
I am and I agree any other Socialist leader other than Blair would be a nightmare for Britain, US and the WOT.
If Blair is ousted as party leader, do the Tories stand a chance. Unfortunately, I am not all that current on British politics.
Thanks Gretchen am composing reply
The Euro-Cowards should be grateful to Blair for being a "stand-up guy" when it comes to freedom and anti-terror...otherwise Europe would be written off and as a total bunch of loser-cowards that could not , and would not, defend themselves if they ever ran out of pro-Muslim votes....
That mumbo jumbo would drive W to distraction.
The ME peace process IS largely in the hands of the Americans. God just really upped the opportunities for success by removing the chief obstacle from the land of the living. We have four years before us for the US to continue to take the lead, to have our hands on the Middle East peace process. W has stated without hesitation that he is doing this. What's the problem? If this guy just wants to worry, what's he doing in public office?
AMEN!
The head of the Tories is persona non grata with the White House these days.
“The question is to what extent does Britain or indeed other European Union countries take the view that the peace process is in the hands of the Americans, and therefore if the Americans can't deliver there's nothing much that anyone else can do . . . That's the question that won't go away,” he said.
If that is the question, Mr. Denham, what is your answer?
Tony Blair deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Pope John has one.
Tony Blair is not simply an ally of the USA, he is an ally of freedom lovers everywhere.
His is a Churchillian legacy and it is simply pitiful that he is surrounded by a Labor party bereft of courage and a Tory Party bereft of honor.
Thank God for Tony Blair.
The Tories are in less disaray than they have been for a while. Michael Howard has dumped one of his front bench colleagues using a strong moral line of not what he did but not telling the truth about what he did. Michael Howard backs the the WOT period I am certain if Republicans got to know him better they would like him.
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