Posted on 12/07/2006 6:56:01 PM PST by blam
Bush and Blair refuse to move over Iraq
By Toby Harnden
Last Updated: 2:13am GMT 08/12/2006
A defiant and at times prickly President George W Bush stood alongside Tony Blair yesterday and rejected key elements of a major report on the war in Iraq, while vowing: "We will help a young democracy prevail."
President George W Bush stood alongside Tony Blair yesterday and rejected key elements of a major report on the war in Iraq
Mr Bush insisted on the need to be "flexible and realistic" and to change troop levels only on the advice of military commanders, who have made it clear that they do not want forces to be drawn down yet.
He repeatedly spoke of the importance of a Pentagon review yet to be completed and said the findings of Iraq Study Group, had not expected all its recommendations to be accepted. Instead, he "would pay close attention and would seriously consider every recommendation".
Both men spoke of the need for a "new way forward" in Iraq but remained adamant that their decision to topple Saddam Hussein and attempt to establish democracy would be vindicated by history.
"It's a noble mission, and it's the right mission," said Mr Blair. "And it's important for our world that it succeeds."
Mr Bush stressed his determination to achieve "victory" in Iraq while Mr Blair highlighted the necessity of the Middle East enjoying "freedom and democracy".
The two leaders were holding White House talks the day after the release of the devastatingly blunt report that described the situation in Iraq as "grave and deteriorating", called for a major Middle East peace initiative and said that US combat troops should leave Iraq within 15 months.
Mr Blair announced he would travel to the Middle East "soon" to attempt to hasten a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, a central aspiration of the study group, led by James Baker, US secretary of state under Mr Bush's father. Mr Blair said that the people of the Middle East were now facing a choice between democracy and dictatorship.
"This is not a view that we hold – I hold – because of idealism alone, it is because I also believe that the only realistic path to security is by ensuring the spread of liberty," he said.
Tony Blair: ‘The only path to security is by ensuring the spread of liberty’
"The issue for me is not a question of being unwilling to sit down with people or not, but the basis upon which we discuss on Iraq has got to be clear."
Downing Street officials emphasised that Britain already had diplomatic relations with both countries and would not hesitate to talk to them about Iraq.
Mr Bush bristled at suggestions that he was burying his head in the sand and ignoring the damning assessment – which Mr Blair described as "not really in dispute" – of his Iraq policy delivered by Mr Baker and his colleagues.
He revised his description of the situation as merely "unsettling" when challenged by reporters.
"It's bad in Iraq. That help?" he shot back fiercely. "You want frankness? I thought we would succeed quicker than we did. And I am disappointed by the pace of success."
Although he described the report as "very important", he said that the mere fact of his having read it signified this.
"Some reports are issued and just gather dust, and the truth of the matter is a lot of reports in Washington are never read by anybody.
"To show you how important this one is, I read it and our guest read it. The prime minister read a report prepared by a commission. And this is important."
Speaking on the 65th anniversary of the Pearl Harbour attack, Mr Bush said that any attempt to retreat from Iraq would haunt generations of Americans to come.
"In that war, our nation stood firm. And there were difficult moments during that war, yet the leaders of our two nations never lost faith in the capacity to prevail. We will stand firm again in this first war of the 21st century."
I firmly believe the democrats want Bush to retreat but wouldn't do it if they had the white house.
Just when you think Bush has lost his nerve...
Bush has been wholly consistent since day one. If anyone believes he's lost his nerve, it's a reflection of that person's mentality, not Bush's resolve.
The Major report they mention was the biggest boatload of crap I have ever seen.
Most of it has already been tried and has failed and the rest relies on people who arent trustworthy.
The part where they want to have talks about Israels future without Israel and they want to give away the Golan Heights
I pray to God they do not retreat!
The ISG will be shown in history to be the equivalent of Neville Chamberlain coming back to Britain and calling for a treaty with Hitler.
What I'm glad about is that he is going to announce his "new policy/strategy" before the end of the year. That means before the Democrats take over the Senate. I'm ashamed of Baker and Hamilton for their poor report -- for them to ignore the good parts of Iraq is shameful. I'm disgusted they had no military expertise on their so-called commission and then make military recommendations...although they said "could" not "should" regarding the 08 timlime (the media is constantly changing it from could to should). I'm looking forward to State, NSC, and Pentagon reports....I wonder if the media will give those reports as much attention as they are giving this esteemed and bipartisan report from elder statespeople (gag).
This president not only has to fight an enemy abroad, he has to fight the enemy here at home as well. Not just the enemies in the DNC, but in the GOP as well.
He is a CIC.
Excellent, that is my President. Victory all the way and no surrender.
Exactly right.
The enemy within this country wants President Bush to fail in the war against terrorist. They want President Bush to fail in every way.
The enemy within is more dangerous to this country than Hussein ever was. We knew our brave troops could and would topple Hussein. They could do the same with all the other petty tyrants in that area. They are nothing compared to our military.
President Bush also knows the enemies within our country.Many are in positions of power.
Why do you think President Bush is the most hated man in the world?
I posted this on another thread a day or two ago. My President stands firm.
Thank you Mr. President, God bless you and our brave troops.
Does anyone know how many members of the commission (not staff) went to Iraq?
Was there any President in our history who had so many enemies inside the country and outside the country like President Bush? I do not know how can this man take it. He is really a great man and a great leader.
Good going, W. And Tony.
As I understand it, only one of them left the Green zone while they were there.
It really sounds like they went over there and decided among themselves that they could solve the problems of the mideast by decree.
I have only heard of three: Baker, Hamilton, Robb. Robb is the only one who went outside of the Green Zone (but I don't know where he went). The others stayed in the Green Zone...I think they were there for a total of three days (two of which were probably travel days...so time in country was pretty limited...or so I have read, but do not recall where).
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