MoD Information

Blair: My Conscience is Clear

Sun, March 02, 2003

Source: Ananova News

Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted he would never commit British troops to military action unless he believed it was morally right

Prime Minister Tony Blair has insisted he would never commit British troops to military action unless he believed it was morally right. Mr Blair restated his belief in the moral case for toppling Saddam Hussein by force and said he could square the possibility of war with his Christian conscience.

Speaking to the Independent on Sunday, Mr Blair rejected suggestions that his Christian beliefs required him to avoid war at any cost.

He said: "Of course, my beliefs and the values I hold are obviously hugely important to me. I would never go into war if I thought it was morally wrong, any more than I would ever do something which I thought was not in the best interests of this country.

"I have never claimed to have a monopoly of wisdom, but just as I don't doubt the sincerity of those who oppose military action, I hope they will understand that I believe equally firmly that the international community can't let Saddam's defiance continue."

He added: "I would never commit British forces to any action unless I was confident we were acting for the right reasons and that, at the end of it, the world would be a safer place."

Mr Blair acknowledged that there was no imminent danger of Saddam attacking a neighbouring state or a western capital like London.

"I am not saying that Saddam is about to launch an attack on London or Paris or New York," he said. I am not even saying he will immediately launch another attack on one of his neighbours, although everything in Saddam's history shows he will do once he thinks he can get away with it.

"And when he does, emboldened by success in defying the UN and stronger because of his weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the international community will have to intervene again, but will find him stronger."

Rogue states like Iraq were "the most likely source" of WMD for terrorists, who were desperate to use them to inflict mass civilian casualties, said Mr Blair.

The Prime Minister said he still hoped the crisis could be resolved peacefully by Saddam voluntarily giving up his weapons.

But if he did not, he believed Britain and the US would be able to "build support" in the United Nations for military action to disarm him by force.

The UN Security Council is currently considering a joint resolution from the US, UK and Spain, which would effectively authorise war by ruling Saddam is in material breach of the earlier Resolution 1441. A vote is expected within the next fortnight.