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Clinton Tells Party Blair's the Man to Trust
Thursday, October 3, 2002
By Patrick Wintour
Chief Political Correspondent, The Guardian

"Of course we have to stand against weapons of mass destruction but, if we can, we have to do it in the context of building the international institutions that we will have to depend on to guarantee the peace and security of the world, and the human rights of people everywhere."

Bill Clinton yesterday used a mesmerising oration to Labour's conference to urge his successor George Bush to honour his obligations to an integrated world and persevere with the United Nations as the safest route to solving the deepening Iraqi crisis.

But in a subtle and delicately balanced address designed to isolate Mr Bush's more hawkish supporters in Washington, he also urged Labour to back a tough new UN resolution strengthening the inspections regime. He also said there was no purpose at this point in deciding whether to cross the bridge of military action without the support of the UN.

Exerting all his charisma, he told delegates to trust Tony Blair "as the only man in the world capable of bringing America and the rest of the world to a common position."

"As a citizen of the US and the world, I am glad that Tony Blair will be weighing the risks and making the calls," he said.
(More: Guardian.co.uk News Source)
2002 Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited.

Dan