Bush Blair defend Iraq war

WASHINGTON: Steadfast Iraq war allies President George W Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair late on Thursday strongly defended their decision to go to war in Iraq and to remain there, despite rising opposition in both the United States and Britain and their own plunging approval ratings.

“This is a fight we cannot afford to lose,” Blair said. Standing side by side at the White House, the two leaders said they had no regrets about the decision, claiming Iraq had become the main battleground in the war against global terrorism.

“It is an important part of protecting the United States,” Bush said. “No matter how calm it may seem here in America, an enemy lurks, and they would like to strike, they would like to do harm to the American people.” Said the outgoing British leader: “The forces that we are fighting in Iraq - al Qaeda on the one hand, Iranian-backed elements on the other, are the same forces we’re fighting everywhere.” Focusing on Iraq at what seemed certain to be their final White House meeting, Bush and Blair participated in a secure video conference with US and British officials in Baghdad for an update on security, economic and political issues.

The president took the prime minister to the Situation Room in the basement of the White House for the hour-long briefing from General David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq, US Ambassador Ryan Crocker and their British counterparts.

Blair, stepping down as prime minister on June 27, spent the night at the White House, a mark of the special relationship he has with Bush.

Many believe that friendship tarnished the legacy of the once-popular British leader.

Blair stayed in the Queen’s Bedroom that was used by Winston Churchill during the former British leader’s frequent World War II-era visits to Washington.

Blair predicted that Britain would continue to stand side by side with the United States after he leaves office. “I believe that we will remain a staunch and steadfast ally in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

Blair, once enormously popular in his country, saw his popularity tumble largely over his alliance with Bush on Iraq.

Signalling the importance of US-British ties, Bush held his first meeting with Blair in Washington in February 2001, only about a month after he was inaugurated. The news conference at the Camp David presidential retreat touched on weighty issues but, asked what the two men had in common, Bush surprised his guest by noting with a smile that they used the same brand of toothpaste.

The difference in style between the articulate Blair and the verbally awkward Bush, which marked subsequent joint appearances, was immediately apparent.

Whats your opinion about Iraq War? Should American and other forces should leave Iraq as soon as possible? Question

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Regards,

Forum Pakistan
Be proud to be a Pakistani (instead of being a Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch or Pushtoon)

War on Iraq and Afghanistan was totally illegal.

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Sorry for my poor english!

The reason behind the Iraq war was to get the huge oil resourcnes in Iraq. Afghan war was necessary for America to get hold on Asia, otherwise it would difficult for USA to control other sorrounding countries and remain the only superpower.

What USA and Israel is worried for is Pakistan and Iran.
Because both are huge threat for them. Many says that now
its Pakistan`s and Iran turn after Iraq and Afghanistan. But the main
reason that get them quite at the moment is that both countries are nuclear
power.

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Sorry for my poor english!

Only Pakistan and Iraq has power to some extent. And Israeel is aftraid of both of Pakistan and Iraq. I think Iraq should be the nuclear power as soon as possible and Pakistan should help them. Once these two countries are unit they dont need to be worried about India, Israeel even America.

@samina
I appercate your thoughts. Well Done.
But unfortunatly we muslim are not united.
Therefore you have a big reason that what happende or happening
in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pelastine, Kashmir, Somalia, Sudan. Iran have more
strong relationship with India than Pakistan. But anyway, it is good that Iran
will be 2nd Islamic Nuclear Power after Pakistan.

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Sorry for my poor english!

786 SALAAMS! bush-ash blair air their names say all. BROTHERS n SISTERS 1STLY MUSLIM'S R BLESSED WITH QURAN N MOST BELOVED NABI SAW.ASH n AIR wil continue to let kufar reap our fruits n cal us darkages bcos we forgot who is our LEADER- NABI SAW- OUR BROTHERS NO MATTER Ù r sunie o sheid.1 QURAN TAKBER KALIMA. 2GATHERNESS JOIN FORCES WITH OUR NABI SAW N ALMIGHTY 'ALLAH'n
dont kill among yrselfs bush takes advantage.OUR LAND PEOPLES PROGRES NT BSH

laiba wrote:

786 SALAAMS! bush-ash blair air their names say all. BROTHERS n SISTERS 1STLY MUSLIM'S R BLESSED WITH QURAN N MOST BELOVED NABI SAW.ASH n AIR wil continue to let kufar reap our fruits n cal us darkages bcos we forgot who is our LEADER- NABI SAW- OUR BROTHERS NO MATTER Ù r sunie o sheid.1 QURAN TAKBER KALIMA. 2GATHERNESS JOIN FORCES WITH OUR NABI SAW N ALMIGHTY 'ALLAH'n
dont kill among yrselfs bush takes advantage.OUR LAND PEOPLES PROGRES NT BSH

Yes Laiba, Muslim have to united to compete with Kufaar. We want peace in this world. Very nice posting.