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IT
was a rare moment of truth in the shabby charade which is plunging the
world into war.
Suddenly President Bush's mask slipped. The pretence that he is a
great statesman and the saviour of international freedom was laid
bare.
He
was revealed as a petulant little man, sick of having to wait before
sending his massive forces into Iraq, his patience with pretending to
listen to other nations totally exhausted.
Yesterday's trip to the Azores was always going to be a farce.
Always going to leave the world a fingertip away from war.
The
meeting between the leaders of America, the UK and Spain lasted an hour.
No time for discussion but plenty of time to nod agreement with the
President.
There is no longer any doubt that this rush to military action is
one of the most sordid episodes since the Second World War. Mr Bush is
only interested in blitzing Iraq.
What makes it so much more terrible for the people of Britain is
that our government is being dragged in and plumbing disgraceful depths to
justify involvement.
The
concerted attack on France is shameful and degrading. Cabinet ministers
yesterday toured TV and radio studios to condemn President Chirac and
accuse the French of being responsible for war.
This is hypocrisy run riot and double-think of scandalous
proportions. You expect it from newspapers with no principles or morality,
but we are entitled to something better from Tony Blair's
government.
Responsibility for the coming conflagration lies four-square on
America's shoulders. Mr Bush is committed to war and Mr Blair is
determined to support him.
The
President and his supporters in the British Cabinet have a peculiar view
of what UN backing entails. To them, it means meekly accepting whatever
the White House says.
It
is that view which threatens the future of the United Nations. It is
ludicrous to suggest that France's insistence on a peaceful solution is an
act of war.
Tony Blair still fails to understand that one reason the British
are so opposed to this war and so cynical about the motives for it is that
we are being treated like idiots.
We
don't want fake dossiers of "evidence". We don't want lies about the
dangers we face. We don't want attacks on people and countries who prefer
peace to war. We don't want farcical summits whose only aim is to speed
the rush to military action.
It
is clear that war is only hours away. When it starts, we will be very
clear about who is responsible. | 