Revealed: how Blair rejected Bush's offer to stay

[T_i_B]

Source: UK Independent

Tony Blair turned down a last-minute offer from President George Bush for Britain to stay out of the Iraq war because he thought it would look "pathetic", according to a new book on Mr Blair's tenure.

Mr Bush was warned by the US embassy in London before the crucial Commons vote on the war that the Blair government could be brought down. He was so worried that he picked up the telephone and personally offered the then Prime Minister a surprise opt-out.

Mr Bush's move is revealed in the book Blair Unbound, by Anthony Seldon, Peter Snowdon and Daniel Collings, to be published by Simon & Schuster next Monday. It is bound to heighten criticism of Mr Blair's stance on Iraq.

Nine days before the Commons backed military action, despite a rebellion by 139 Labour MPs, President Bush astonished Condoleezza Rice, who was his National Security Adviser, by suggesting that Britain need not join the invasion and could play a less controversial role during the aftermath.

Read more: http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article3112818.ece

[JTFrog]

1. "Ms Rice told the book's authors:"

That was nuff said for me there.

Ms Rice told the book's authors: "I remember standing in the Oval Office, and the President said, 'We can't have the British Government fall because of this decision over war.' I said: 'So what are you saying?' He said, 'I have to tell Tony that he doesn't have to do this.'"

[DCKit]

3. That's Funny!!!! She doesn't remember anything else about the past seven years.... nt

[Javaman]

6. yeah, she's such a fucking humanitarian.

:eyes:

[grahamhgreen]

2. So, England going to war was Bush's prerogative?

[Massachusetts]

4. I wonder.....

Toothy Tony and Corporate Condi....Hmmmmmm

[tanyev]

5. It's a love story!

The book says Mr Blair decided in 2002 to write to the President to express concern that the momentum towards war was growing too fast. But he "faltered and pulled his punches" and in effect told President Bush: "You know, George, whatever you decide to do, I'll be with you."

*sniff* George had him at hello. *sniff*