The political strategy proved to be arguing Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) posed such a threat that military action had to be taken. However, at the July meeting Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, said the case for war was “thin” as “Saddam was not threatening his neighbours and his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea or Iran”.
Straw suggested they should “work up” an ultimatum about weapons inspectors that would “help with the legal justification”. Blair is recorded as saying that “it would make a big difference politically and legally if Saddam refused to allow in the UN inspectors”.
A separate secret briefing for the meeting said Britain and America had to “create” conditions to justify a war.
This war was going to happen before Bush even took office (pun intended.)
Where was the "democracy" justification in this memo?
his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea or Iran
ReplyDeletenot very reassuring. NK has a bomb. IR almost has one. Lib was well on the way. Even if SH's capability was "less" than these 3, that still says alot .....