Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/30/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / BLAIR (L)

NUMBER=2-308075

BYLINE=TOM RIVERS

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: British Prime Minister Tony Blair has vigorously defended his decision to go to war in Iraq and said he would make the same decision again. Tom Rivers has more on Mr. Blair's speech to the ruling Labour Party's annual conference in the southern English coastal town of Bournemouth.

TEXT: The war in Iraq is dividing Mr. Bair's party down the middle, and it was a central theme of his keynote speech.

Many people in Britain feel that it was wrong to go to war, especially since no weapons of mass destruction have been uncovered in Iraq, five months after major hostilities have ended.

Mr. Blair told the delegates at the Bournemouth conference that the decision to go to war was not easy. But if he had to, he said, he would make the same call again.

The prime minister, whose popularity is plummeting, said he firmly believes that weapons of mass destruction held by extremists and rogue states must be dealt with in the future. It is something, he added, that cannot be ignored.

/// BLAIR ACT ///

If it is the threat of the 21st century, Britain should be in there confronting it, not because we are America's poodle (lap dog) but because dealing with it will make Britain safer. (APPLAUSE OUT.)

/// END ACT ///

The British prime minister said he believed the world is now a safer place with Saddam Hussein out of power. But he said he respected his critics who hold the view that it was a costly, unnecessary war.

/// 2nd Blair ACT ///

There was no easy choice. And whatever each of us thought, let us agree on this, we who started the war must finish the peace. (APPLAUSE.) Those British soldiers who died are heroes. (APPLAUSE.)

/// END ACT ///

New polls this week show Mr. Blair's approval rating at its lowest level since he took office six-and-one-half years ago. And 41 percent of the members of his Labour Party want him to resign before the next general election. (SIGNED)

NEB/TR/MAR/RAE/KL