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Long War According to BennTue, February 04, 2003Source: Ananova NewsTony Benn says Britain holds a "virtual veto" over President Bush's plans to go to war with IraqTony Benn says Britain holds a "virtual veto" over President Bush's plans to go to war with Iraq. The former MP has arrived back in Britain after meeting Saddam Hussein. The anti-war campaigner hopes their filmed interview will be shown on British TV.
He said: "This could be a very long war, don't make any mistake about it, so Mr Bush needs Mr Blair."
The two men discussed the possible war, but Mr Benn refused to reveal whether Saddam was hopeful that he could avoid a military onslaught.
He also asked Saddam if his country had weapons of mass destruction, if it had links with al-Qaida, whether there were problems with the weapons inspectors and how he saw Iraq's relationship with the United Nations.
Mr Benn - who also flew to Baghdad for talks with Saddam before the 1991 Gulf War - told reporters at Heathrow airport that he had contacted Downing Street to say he would be willing to meet Mr Blair to discuss his talks with Saddam.
Mr Benn said: "Mr Bush cannot go to war alone, because American opinion would not let him go to war alone because they remember the Vietnam War.
"Therefore, and it is almost unique, the British Prime Minister has an effective veto on the war. If he says to Bush 'I'm sorry, I can't go along with you', Bush would find it very difficult to go." |
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