Foreign secretary says he does not have 'sleepless nights' about the war but he does acknowledge the problems associated with itDavid Miliband said today that it would be "stupid" to pretend that the Iraq war had been a total success.In an interview published ahead of his appearance at the Iraq inquiry this morning, the foreign secretary said that history's verdict on the war would be "balanced" and that it could take another six or seven years before the situation in Iraq stabilised.Asked if he agreed with the proposition that the war was justified, Miliband told the Daily Telegraph: "That falls on two counts. One, it is too glib about the loss of life and the reverses. And it's too black and white. There's a ledger, and it's still being added to. There is a positive and a negative. It's...

The UK's involvement in Iraq is and will remain a divisive subject. The purpose of the Inquiry is to bring out "a reliable account" for the UK's invasion and involvement in Iraq. It is not a trial, as could be wrongly understood by general public. The committee has set it out right and loud for anyone who would have doubts about it. So when it is not a trial, then what is the real, accountable and explicable purpose of the Iraq Inquiry Committee? Since there have been many public speeches, interviews and Parliamentary hearings as well, why the need for yet another, nonetheless probably last public inquiry in this matter? There are few aspects of the Iraq issue.: [Our] British involvement in Iraq; the international involvement there; the U.S. aspirations and reasons for intervening;...

Let us briefly analyse this War on Terror and War in Iraq, as it appears apparent that this struggle, death and destruction could have been avoided? Following 9/11, the “War on Terror” has raged; reportedly to neutralize the activity of international terror groups and nations considered to support them. The War in Iraq was originally billed as an effort to dispose of Saddam Hussein for refusing to co-operate with UN weapons inspectors, possessing WMD, and end his oppression and genocide against Iraqis, by regime change. With a merelyhazy link made between Sadaam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden, it has shifted to become a “War on Terror” in terms of the incorrectly labelled terrorist affiliated “insurgents” it seeks to neutralise. Where is this war leading...

Almost 20 years ago ( a worrying thought) I was the desk officer for Iraq in the FCO in London. It was just after Kuwait had been liberated but Saddam was ruthlessly repressing the Shia and the Kurds were escaping across snow strewn mountains into Turkey.  For the next two years we spent much time considering the options for humanitarian intervention and how to support the oppressed peoples of Iraq. It was my honour and privilege to meet some of those fighting for greater democracy. And it is always heart-warming today to see the pictures of the President and Foreign Minister of Iraq and remember them in very different circumstances. Life has been hard for many in Iraq over these last 20 years, and far too many people have lost lives and livelihoods in tragic...

The BBC reports:An inquiry into the Netherlands' support for the invasion of Iraq says it was not justified by UN resolutions. The Dutch Committee of Inquiry on Iraq said UN Security Council resolutions did not "constitute a mandate for... intervention in 2003". The inquiry was launched after foreign ministry memos were leaked that cast doubt on the legal basis for the war. The Netherlands gave political support to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but had no military role. The report demolishes the Dutch case for supporting the invasion, says the BBC's Europe correspondent Jonny Dymond. It could also be taken to reinforce the international case against the Iraq war, he says. In the First Post, Robert Fox writes:While he (Alistair Campbell), was protesting that Tony Blair, honourable as Brutus,...

Original Home Page All Contents of Site – Index All Links to ‘The Trial of Tony Blair’ posts Sign the Ban Blair-baiting petition here. Most recent sig comment: “The Best PM this Country had. Shame on the media.” Comment at end 6th January, 2010 At his Iraq Inquiry Rebuttal Service John Rentoul has this. It takes a swipe at the “war criminal” charges of Blair’s look at the number of dead accusers. This numbers jibe is one of the weaknesses of their (anti-war) cause. By that reckoning, if no-one had died, the war wouldn’t have been ‘illegal’. See here for further proof of how other ‘leaders’ have been found wanting in recent years, while those who stepped up to the plate have been vilified, especially our former prime minister....

*Blairdoyer comes from the French word plaidoyer/closing argument in a court case [This is a cross-post. You can visit the original site here] – Experts disagree as to whether the war in Iraq was legal or illegal. It is a result of the complex nature of international law which is different to national and European law. It is customary law, has no common legislator, is vague and its legitimacy derives from the recognition of states concerned. Overall, international law has no supremacy over national law. Casus belli- The case of war Death Kurds- Victims of Chemical Ali In order to establish the legality of the war in Iraq, it is essential to understand the long history of violence of the country.  The war was launched for different reasons. Sanctions against the regime were...

Original Home Page Latest Post All Contents of Site – Index “Ban Blair-Baiting” petition – please sign here Comment at end 8th December, 2009 WHAT’S THE ‘IRAQ INQUIRY DIGEST’ ALL ABOUT?  THE TRUTH? There’s a website called the ‘Iraq Inquiry Digest’, edited by Chris Ames, and set up to keep us informed about the Iraq Inquiry. Necessary or unnecessary? Given that the Iraq Inquiry official website itself links to all their (unedited) videos of evidence, all their transcripts and all their timetables for witness appearances as well as a lot more, I’m not completely convinced that sites such as the importantly named “Iraq Inquiry Digest” are not superfluous to requirements. But there we go. It’s a free country and people...

In today’s Telegraph, Nick Clegg writes about the opening of the Chilcot inquiry into the invasion of Iraq, and launches a broadside against Labour’s botched foreign policy, and calls on the Prime Minister – who as Chancellor signed the cheques for the Iraq war – to apologise for his part in the devastation that has unfolded. Here’s an excerpt: The opening of the inquiry into the Iraq war reminded me that one of the greatest tragedies of Labour’s foreign policy is that they focused on Iraq, not Afghanistan. They focused on winning the argument for an unjustified war, instead of winning a justified war. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will be brought before the Iraq inquiry to explain their support for the invasion of Iraq. But, with our troops still fighting...

On Monday Ann Clwyd and Dave Anderson spoke in the Commons during the debate on the Queen's Speech, they both devoted the bulk of what they had to say to the current situation in Iraq. I give the relevant extracts below. With Dave's contribution I have also added what he said about the Tobin Tax as it could also be used to improve the condition of the people of Iraq.Dave Anderson (fifth from the right in the back row) in Iraq with "Labour Friends of Iraq" and Iraqi and British Trade Unionists.Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): .....I want to spend the time available today talking about Iraq. For the first time in many years, the Queen's Speech did not mention Iraq. The complex issues relating to that country have dominated so many debates, questions and speeches in the House in recent years,...

Original Home Page All Contents of Site – Index “Ban Blair-Baiting” petition - please sign Comment at end Tuesday, 24th November, 2009 [To be updated as and when the Iraq Inquiry proceeds. Please bookmark this page.] DAY 1, Iraq Inquiry Iraq Inquiry streaming video – watch here Transcripts by date – Week 1, 24th November, 2009 1. Iraq no-fly zones 2. UN SC resolutions on Iraq 1990 – 2001 Oral evidence by date – videos will be uploaded as they become available. Public access to the hearings REPORT At the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in London, only around a few dozen people turned up. BBC report WITNESSES ON TUESDAY Sir Michael Wood: Legal Adviser to the Foreign Office (1999-2006) Sir Peter Ricketts: Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee...

Original Home Page All Contents of Site – Index Is ‘President Blair’ a shoo-in? Yes and No “Ban Blair-Baiting” petition - please sign Comment at end 14th October, 2009 Statement by Sir John Chilcot on meetings with bereaved families in London.  (Source: Iraq inquiry website.) 14 October 2009 Speaking after a series of public and private meetings in London on Tuesday 13th October between Iraq Inquiry committee members and families who lost loved ones during the Iraq conflict, Inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot said; “I would like to thank all of the families who were able to attend the London meetings. We heard from the bereaved families of Armed Forces personnel and British civilians who died in Iraq. I feel we got a clear sense of what those families would like us to focus...

Original Home Page All Contents of Site – Index Is ‘President Blair’ a shoo-in? Yes and No “Ban Blair-Baiting” petition - please sign Comment at end 13th October, 2009 Bereaved mother: “I would like to see him (Tony Blair) indicted as a war criminal” MAKING AND SHAPING THE NEWS ON THE IRAQ INQUIRY The Iraq Inquiry today held the first of its meetings with the families of soldiers who died in the Iraq war. From the Iraq Inquiry website: Veterans of the Iraq conflict and families of those who died or are missing in Iraq will meet members of the Iraq Inquiry in face-to-face meetings during October. The meetings have been arranged to allow the families and those who served in Iraq to express their views personally to members of the Iraq Inquiry committee about...

Ceremony in St Paul's cathedral to commemorate end of the war in Iraq and to honour those that served and died in the conflictThe Queen and Gordon Brown will today attend a ceremony in honour of British armed forces and civilians who served and died in Iraq.Iraq veterans will join senior military figures for the commemoration service, which formally marks the end of combat operations in the country, at St Paul's cathedral in London.Servicemen and women injured fighting during the campaign, known as Operation Telic, and the families of those killed in the conflict have also been invited to attend."This service will provide an opportunity to remember the enormous contribution made by some 120,000 members of the UK armed forces and their civilian colleagues who have served in Iraq over six...

Original Home Page All Contents of Site – Index “Ban Blair-Baiting” petition - please sign Comment at end 30th August, 2009 ‘Iraqi officials have been hunting for missing assets in a number of countries where Mr. Hussein had made military purchases, including Egypt, Russia, France and Italy. The Iraqis have also found two naval vessels belonging to it in Egypt and two others in Italy, and other materiel [sic] in France and Russia, according to Mr. Askari.’ WHAT? How can ANY country’s people including officials, forces, authorities, politicians, scientists, technicians, historians etc FORGET that they once had an airforce? No chance that they might also have forgotten that they once had Weapons of Mass Destruction too? Of course not. Silly me. Remnants of Iraq...

I liked Obama’s speech at the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  When I hear him talking about the military, I get the feeling that he means it.  He respects the institution and the people in it.  But this speech showcased more than any other the verbal gymnastics that he is forced to perform because of his refusal to take ownership of the Iraq War or overtly praise any aspect of it.  Talking about the “dedicated, courageous men and women who I have the privilege to lead and meet every day”, he said: They’re the young sailors, the midshipmen at the Naval Academy, who raised their right hand at graduation and committed themselves to a life of service. They’re the soldiers I met in Baghdad who have done their duty, year after year, on a second, third or fourth...

Original Home Page All Contents of Site – Index Comment at end 10th August, 2009 IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN/ZIMBABWE – INVASION WRONG OR RIGHT? DAILY MAIL GROUP-THINK IN THE ‘DEBATE’ V THE ‘BLAME GAME’ Imagine... life without Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe At this “debate” article in the Mail – “Should Britain Invade Zimbabwe?” it’s intriguing if not surprising the angle many take.  Mail commenters seem to prefer disparaging comments;  in other words no debate. Just a clear position put with which they can obviously agree. Thus many of them are confused. They liked the dreamlike thought that Mugabe had been removed. But when Tony Blair’s name was mentioned it was perhaps not such a good idea after all. You see, Mugabe...

How can Labour continue to get it so wrong so often? Today Gordon Brown announced that there would be an inquiry into the Iraq war and its aftermath. This is something that many people (especially on the left) have been demanding for some years. Instead of the accolades that the Prime Minister might have expected, instead he is being pilloried by many of the same people who wanted the inquiry. So what has he done wrong this time?   The inquiry that Gordon has announced will meet behind closed doors. Many of the families of the servicemen and women wanted a public inquiry. The terms of reference of the inquiry dictate that no blame shall be found to attach to any individual. One of the key complaints about the Iraq war is that the Government, and Tony Blair in particular, lied to the...

30 April marked the formal handover of responsibilities by British troops in Southern Iraq. There was rightly media focus on the 179 British soldiers who lost their lives, and the Iraqi civilians who were killed in fighting in Basra and surrounding areas. For them and their families, Thursday will have been especially hard. Nothing can temper the reality of their loss and we mourn with them. I have always said the historians will have to come to judgements about the last six years in Iraq. We know some things that clearly went wrong. But the longer term picture is not yet clear. The fact that Iraq stands on the cusp of vital decisions was brought out in Prime Minister Maliki's visit to the UK. His address to a 600 strong "Invest Iraq" conference alongside Douglas Alexander and...

The heads of twitter, Google and Youtube have been sent to Iraq by the USA government to go and help make technology better in the Country and personally I am looking at it from a different angel but have some thoughts to share with readers.Citizen Journalism is growing in the UK with people reporting news as it breaks via twitter and blogging. Bloggers are growing and people are increasingly reading them more. If that was to happened in Iraq then maybe the truth would come out of the Country.Iraq is a country that has been damaged by the UK and the USA, the media isn't free is it? Nope, I guessed not. Iraq is a country that needs more blogging and citizen journalism so the truth can come out of the country. So I would like to see more bloggers and citizen journalists being born in Iraq...

Here is the full text of Obama’s speech today about Iraq.  Some quotes: But let there be no doubt: Iraq is not yet secure, and there will be difficult days ahead. Violence will continue to be a part of life in Iraq. Too many fundamental political questions about Iraq’s future remain unresolved. Too many Iraqis are still displaced or destitute. Declining oil revenues will put an added strain on a government that has had difficulty delivering basic services. Not all of Iraq’s neighbors are contributing to its security. Some are working at times to undermine it. And even as Iraq’s government is on a surer footing, it is not yet a full partner – politically and economically – in the region, or with the international community In short, today there is a renewed cause for hope...

Home Comment at end 27th February, 2009 This video was first uploaded to YouTube in June 2007, just a week or so before Mr Blair left office. It was sent to me by a regular contributor to this site. I hadn’t seen it before. Many thanks, Caela. And many thanks IraqTube. An Open Message to PM Tony Blair from Iraqi Citizen From the YouTube website: A Message to Prime Minister Tony Blair From an Iraqi citizen Mr. Blair you are our hero, and am sure future shall prove that you have done the right thing when you stood firm with the President of the United States in your historical decision to remove Saddam from power. The whole world know who is Saddam and his mafia style regime, so in this short message please allow me to say we Iraqis appreciate very much what you have done to Iraq...

I just read one of those “analysis” pieces that the Associated Press puts out, by their national security correspondent Robert Burns. The gist of it is that while commanders on the ground in Iraq favour keeping troops there for as long as possible in compliance with the Status of Forces Agreement, unnamed and unquoted “senior advisors” at the Pentagon - Burns doesn’t say whether civilian or uniformed - “are more amenable to a quick pullout”, presumably so forces can be sent to Afghanistan. On the one hand, this is not surprising. It is to be expected that the commanders on the ground in Iraq are going to want all the resources they can get, while those in the Pentagon will be looking at the big picture. The service chiefs, we are told,...

Iran’s foreign minister has visited Baghdad for economic talks as part of a growing international interest in Iraq’s economic potential, and especially its oil supplies.  They set a target of getting annual trade to $5 billion.  Similar interests brought Nicholas Sarkozy to the capital a few days ago, in the first visit by a French president since the U.S. led invasion. Growing Iran-Iraq ties are to be welcomed - they are inevitable - especially if economic interests give Iran a stake in Iraq’s future stability; of course, they could also lead the Iranians to intervene in Iraq in unwelcome ways if their interests are threatened.  Another positive sign is the increasing safety with which Iranian citizens can visit Iraq.  The foreign minister also announced the...

Anyone interested in improving conditions for the Iraqi people should read this speech made by Ann Clwyd (see photo) in the Commons on 14 January. Not only is she the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Human Rights in Iraq, but she identifies strongly with the important work of Labour Friends of Iraq (LFIQ). When Labour Friends of Iraq (LFIQ) was founded in 2004, the initial Joint Presidents were Ann Clwyd and myself. She had been as vigorous in her support of the 2003 invasion of Iraq as I had been in opposition to it. Neither of us have changed our minds about the issue since then. But we both felt that whatever people's views in the Labour Movement had been about the invasion, a situation had arisen which meant that the clear priority for Labour should be to try to aid the people of...

Up to 1m people dead. 4m refugees. The infrastructure of the country destroyed. Whole areas of the country with supplies of water and electicity. A massive decline in public health. Women's rights put back centuries. A total breakdown of law and order. And what does 'Neo' Con Coughlin think about the situation in Iraq? He thinks that "British forces they leave Iraq a far better place than they found it". In Coughlin's Daily Telegraph article there is not one mention of Iraq's WMD programme. Interesting that, given that before the war, Iraqi WMDs is all that Coughlin and his fellow neocons wanted to talk about.Instead, we are told that the war was about 'overthrowing Baathist gangsters' and bringing 'democracy' to Iraq.All neo-cons are conspiracy therorists, and Coughlin is a conspiracy...

Gordon Brown was last night facing a growing row after he ruled out an early inquiry into the Iraq war and indicated that he may resist holding one when the bulk of British troops return home in the summer.In a statement to MPs, in which he confirmed that most of the 4,100 troops would leave Iraq by the end of July, the prime minister said the time was still not right to announce an inquiry.Brown said in March that it would be "appropriate" to hold an inquiry into the Iraq war once British forces had stabilised the country. In a letter to the Fabian Society, he said it was important not to "divert attention from supporting Iraq's development as a secure and stable country".David Cameron yesterday challenged him to hold the inquiry in the light of the Anglo-Iraq agreement that will end...

Gordon Brown today rejected opposition calls for an early inquiry into the Iraq war.As he made a statement in the Commons about the withdrawal of troops, the prime minister refused to go beyond repeating his broad commitment to an inquiry "once our troops come home".But Brown did announce that the Ministry of Defence was spending £150m on more than 100 new all-terrain "Warthog" vehicles and that the memorial in Basra commemorating the 178 British servicemen and women who have lost their lives in Iraq will be brought to Britain when the operation is over.Brown, who said almost all British troops would leave Iraq by the end of July 2009 during a surprise visit to the country yesterday, told MPs that Iraq had made "very significant progress" since the fall of Saddam Hussein.He said that...

The TUC Publication On Iraqi Trade UnionsIraqi Kurdistan has an active and influential Trade Union movement. Here is a valuable contribution on the role played by women in their Trade Union structure.I visited Iraqi Kurdistan with Labour Friends of Iraq and fellow Trade Unionists in April 2006 and on the anniversary of the visit a year later I came up with the following lessons. Which I have taken from here -(1) Iraqi Trade Unionists deserve and need our understanding and practical support.Sue Rodgers the Chair of the TUC's Iraq Solidarity Committee was part of our delegation. The TUC provides a clear avenue through which people can help - numbers of these developed out of our visit. Specific Trade Unions such as UNISON have their own linked programmes of assistance.(2) The Iraqi...

I can do no better than be glad that there is some press freedom in Iraq, in which that region of the world is not rich, and reproduce the post below by Thomas Friedman, for which hat-tip Norman Geras, and hope that President-elect Obama is alive to all these things. Readers' views of course welcome. But not if they are the savage pornography I received in comments when I suggested that Mr Salter had not actually eaten the pheasants he claimed to have eaten. But we know which of these two issues is more important - don't we?Here’s a story you don’t see very often. Iraq’s highest court told the Iraqi Parliament last Monday that it had no right to strip one of its members of immunity so he could be prosecuted for an alleged crime: visiting Israel for a seminar on counterterrorism....