Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/17/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BRITAIN / IRAQ (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-300821

BYLINE= TOM RIVERS

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: With war against Iraq all but inevitable, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, President Bush's staunchest ally, is facing a hectic political situation at home. A prominent member of his cabinet resigned Monday, and he is facing a revolt within his own party. Tom Rivers reports from London.

TEXT: An emergency cabinet meeting at Ten Downing Street, the prime minister's residence, was the focus of Britain's attention Monday. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, speaking after the meeting, defended the government's futile diplomatic campaign to disarm Saddam Hussein, and had this to say:

/// PRESCOTT ACT ///

Nobody has tried harder than our government and our Prime Minister to resolve this diplomatically. But once France made clear they could veto a new resolution whatever the circumstances, it became impossible to move forward.

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Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told the Parliament countries opposed to the Washington-London-Madrid resolution that would, in effect, authorize war against Iraq would only delay the disarmament process.

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The alternative proposal submitted by France, Germany and Russia for more time and more inspections carry no ultimatum and no threat of force. They do not implement 14-41 but seek to rewrite it.

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Prime Minister Tony Blair is facing hostile questioning Tuesday when the House of Commons is to debate the government's decision to go to war without specific U-N authorization. In what may well escalate the revolt within Mr. Blair's own Labor Party,

senior government minister Robin Cook resigned Monday in protest against the prime minister's policy.

Polls here indicate that the overwhelming majority of Britons are against military action without a second UN resolution, and many members of Mr. Blair's own ruling Labor party share those views. (Signed)

NEB/TR/MAR