Straw stresses need for diplomacy (UK admitting shit has hit the fan)

[nodehopper]

Straw (UK) stresses need for diplomacy

Patrick Wintour, chief political correspondent
Saturday April 10, 2004
The Guardian

Jack Straw yesterday broke the government's prolonged silence over the growing anarchy in Iraq, urging coalition forces to hold back and emphasising the need to maintain a political, as well as military strategy.

In sombre mood, the foreign secretary accepted the surge in violence was worse than he ever expected and represented the "most serious" threat to face the coalition since the war formally ended a year ago.

But the tone of Mr Straw's remarks prompted speculation that he questioned the current military strategy. </snip>

more here:
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12956,1189341,00.html

[Iceburg]

1. The British are coming ... to save the USA & its Pres

according to the BBC Mr. Blair will sooth the souls of the doubting Americans ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/3613755.stm
<snip>
Do the recently liberated Iraqis look as if they enjoyed the process? Do they look grateful?

At the moment, they do not. The images on the television screens seem to suggest, not just that something has gone wrong, but that the whole business might have been misconceived.

If the images recede and peace breaks out, then the president's mood might improve and the voters might shrug their shoulders and give the boss the benefit of the doubt.

He meant well and we had better back him.

But if the violence continues, Mr Bush is in trouble, and his recent behaviour seems to suggest he knows it.

No wonder he has called in the "Big Gun", the really heavy hitter of the American popularity stakes.

This is the man who can make all Americans swoon and whose endorsement - even if it is understood rather than overt - could well be enough to swing the campaign.

Yes, Tony Blair arrives on Friday.

For this White House, not a moment too soon.

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Are you ready America?

[lanlady]

2. 'scuse me, Britain, but Blair won't change jack-shit

unless he calls for regime change in Washington and endorses Kerry.

[sspiderjohn]

3. Brits begged Rummy NOT to disband Iraq army after the war . . .

They forsaw this present situation as a possible consequence.