Blair Says Iraq Crisis to Determine Int'l Politics for Generation

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 18, 2003

Blair Says Iraq Crisis to Determine Int'l Politics for Generation

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British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Tuesday that the current Iraq crisis will shape the international politics for as long as a generation, urging the lawmakers to support his tough policy on Iraq.

"It will determine the pattern of international politics for the next generation," Blair said during a parliament debate.

The government's actions "will determine the way that Britain and the world confront the central security issues of the 21st century," Blair told lawmakers.

The Iraq crisis will also impose important influence on the development of the United Nations, the relation between Europe andthe United States and those within the European Union and the way the United States engages with the rest of the world, Blair said.

He accused Iraqi President Saddam Hussein of playing old games in the old way, adding that in dealing with Saddam, the choice is action or no action.

Blair urged the House of Commons to quash a backbench rebellionin a debate on war with Iraq and support his policy on the issue.

Blair, the firmest US ally in disarming Iraq, on Monday scrapped a draft resolution his country co-sponsored with the United States in the UN Security Council, a move widely seen as a prelude to a military strike against Iraq.

He also met strong rebellion inside and outside his Labor Party,with up to 200 Labor lawmakers opposing his stance on Iraq and a threat of resignation from as many as 10 members of his governmentif Britain joins the possible war.

By now, there are already five resignations over Iraq in the British government, including Home Office Minister John Denham, junior government minister Lord Philip Hunt and parliamentary leader Robin Cook.

But Claire Short, the international development secretary, who nine days ago called Blair's handling of the Iraq crisis "reckless," announced that she would be staying in the government.

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