In interview, Bush claims decision to invade Iraq came after ultimatum

RAW STORY
Published: Saturday April 22, 2006

In an exclusive interview with a British journalist, President Bush categorically denied press reports based on leaked documents that the decision to invade Iraq had been made months in advance, RAW STORY has found.

Although a recently disclosed memo of a closed-door meeting between Bush and Blair suggested that the president was set on war in January of 2003 (link), Bush claimed that it wasn't until after the 48-hour deadline passed two months later that he made up his mind for certain.

"I took the decision after the ultimatum," Bush said emphatically, according to Con Coughlin.

"I guess in the UK there's all kinds of rumours about 'we made the decision nine months ahead of time,'" Bush continued. "It's just not true."

A year ago, British journalist Michael Smith reported on a leaked briefing paper - which would come to be known as one of the Downing Street memos - which indicated that Bush and Blair had decided on regime change as early as April of 2002 (link).

Also, in the interview - excerpted from Coughlin's book, 'American Ally: Tony Blair and the War on Terror' - Bush claimed that he offered the Prime Minister Blair a "way out" in March of 2003 because of widespread opposition in the U.K. to invading Iraq at the time.

"There was the moment during this period where he had a confidence vote - very dramatic," Bush told Coughlin. "Of course, we were watching this very closely."

"And it was that period of time, during a phone call, when I told Tony, I said, 'Rather than lose your government, withdraw from the coalition' - because I felt it was very important for him to be the Prime Minister at this point in our relationship," Bush continued.

"And that's when he told me, 'I'm staying, even if it costs me my government," revealed Bush.

Further excerpts from the article entitled "Tell me - what do you really think of Tony Blair, Mr President?":

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There are many, particularly in the Labour Party, who question how much the Prime Minister has had to do with the formation of policy following the September 11 attacks in 2001. What input did Blair really have back then?

"Well, first of all, I understood immediately that we were at war," Bush recalled. "And I made up my mind that I would use all my power - obviously, within the law - to protect the American people and prosecute this war. And so I don't think there was much… I'm the kind of guy that when I make up my mind - you know, I appreciate advice and counsel - but we were going. And the doctrine, if you harbour a terrorist you are equally as guilty as a terrorist, came right from my soul. Tony understood the stakes.

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Even so, I suggested, Blair has suffered enormous political damage at home because of his close association with the Bush administration's policies.

"Well, that's what happens when you do big things. Let me repeat that: when you do big things, people… worry. But your standing in history isn't based upon a poll or your political standing in the short run. Your position in history will be adjudged long after we leave the political arena by whether or not you made a contribution - in this case, to freedom and peace. And I'm convinced history will judge Tony Blair as a fine leader, a strong leader."

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FULL ARTICLE HERE