Bring Blair to account, Iraq war inquiry told
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Nov 24, IRNA -- The long-awaited inquiry into the Iraq war opened in London Tuesday as protesters called for former prime minister Tony Blair to be brought to account for involving Britain in the “illegal” US-led invasion in 2003.
Stop the War Coalition said that both Blair and his replacement Gordon Brown had “blood on their hands” for the war that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and 179 British troops.
Joining the protest were representatives from Military Families Against the War, who reminded the inquiry committee of the anger felt by many relatives of British soldiers killed in Iraq.
Chair of the inquiry, Sir John Chilcot has insisted that the year-long investigation will not be a “whitewash,” but critics have expressed doubts on whether a committee chosen by the prime minister can be impartial.
Senior judicial figures have also voiced concern on whether the panel, which does not include any legal experts, are capable of examining key issues, including whether the war was in breach of international law.
The first session of hearings were focusing on the lead up to the war, with former chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee Sir Peter Ricketts saying the UK government "distanced itself" from talk of removing Saddam Hussein in early 2001 despite talk of it in the US.
No-one in the UK government was "promoting support" for regime change, as it was assumed "it was not our policy that we were seeking the removal of Saddam Hussein," Ricketts said.
Senior officials and military officers are due to give evidence about the period in the initial phase of the inquiry. This is before senior politicians, including Blair, are questioned early next year.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 808809
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