Blair and Cook both made their names in the "Arms to Iraq" scandal in the early 1990's. Blair as Shadow Prime Minister, and Cook as Shadow Foreign Secretary. [Biographies: Tony Blair and BBC NEWS | Politics | Profile: Robin Cook

The critique of the then Tory Government, gave rise to Robin Cook's stirling performance in responding to the original "Arms to Iraq" scandal;

"Are the Government really going to ask us to accept a Report that says that the current Chief Secretary signed 27 letters to M.P's that were misleading, and which he was in a position to know were misleading, then tell us that he can remain in office as if the Report had never been published ? ... this Government misjudged Saddam Hussein, misled M.P's and misdirected the prosecution [Matrix Churchill case]"

Norton Taylor et al. (1996) "Knee Deep In Dishonour" St Edmundsbury Press Ltd, Suffolk, U.K.

Blair was no less enthusiastic on Sir Richard Scott's "Report of the Inquiry into the Export of Defence Equipment and Dual-Use Goods to Iraq and Related Prosecutions";

"On virtually every page of the report there are details of answers that are untrue, inaccurate, misleading. Is no one going to take responsibility for that ? ... if the Prime Minister [John Major] cannot answer .. the Conservative Party and the Conservative Government will remain knee deep in dishonour."

Blair T, House of Commons, 20th Feb. 1996

Effect on Capitalism

The background of Blair in Industrial law and Cook in English Literature appealed to the left wing side of their upbringing (Blair as son of former Barrister Leo Blair) but few thought they could manage the economy. After the stench of deceipt in Government, following the Arms to Iraq and other affairs, led the country to hope in fresh ideals in 1997.

Blair's landslide victory in 1997 elections, was supported by a buoyant economy, supported not least by the "dot-com" boom in technology. Economist.com | The dotcom wreckage:Struggling to survive The country was lulled into a sense of false security, and re-elected Blair with the same mandate in 2001. Shortly after, (and ever since) the economy has faltered as the dot-com boom came to its inevitable close. The economy has remained with its head just above the surface due to Gordon Brown's repayment of a swathe of Government debt and the housing market buoyancy.

Unfortunately, Cook did not remain as Foreign Secretary, and was demoted to Leader of the House from 2001 days before his first official engagement with George W Bush at an EU meeting in Gothenburg. BBC NEWS | VOTE2001 | Cook loses Foreign Office

Effect on Democracy

The 1997 election was heralded as a change in British Politics with an "Ethical Foreign Policy." Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Ethical foreign policy. Later ditched by Labour after the 2001 elections, but not before Cook had sanctioned 16 jets to the dictatorship in Indonesia, Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | FO inquiry into use of Hawk jets by Jakarta leaving the Export Credit Guarantee Dept in dangerous sands. Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Funds increase fourfold for 'dubious' export subsidies

Robin Cook became Foreign Secretary in 1997, apparently sharing
Blair's "thirst" for democracy, which was the basis for British troops in the Balkans conflict in 1999. This first conflict, which came within NATO, allowed Tony Blair to determine initially;

"Time and again I was told stories of torture, murder and rape. Time and again I was urged to do what we can to restore Kosovo to stability and peace. This is what keeps the refugees going: the belief that they will go home and rebuild their lives in peace. Not one called for the airstrikes to stop. Not one had anything but support for NATO. ...Nato has successfully defended the values of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law for 50 years."

Blair T (7th May 1999) The Times, London

Four days earlier, a disturbing charge of Crimes against the 1949 Geneva convention has been levelled against NATO, and their political leaders, for deploying Depleted Uranium NATO War Crimes - The Complaint and confirmation of that use to a United Nations enquiry into the use.
[22 Mar 2000] HAB/163 UNEP/67: NATO CONFIRMS TO UNITED NATIONS USE OF DEPLETED
On Crimes of Power: The Bombing of Yugoslavia, 1999
Hidden Agenda: U.S./NATO Takeover of Yugoslavia

The second conflict was with a dubious reward for democracy in Afghanistan in 2001, while the US were seething for blood following the September the Eleventh terrorist attack, Blair claimed

"The objective will be to bring to account those who have organised, aided, abetted and incited this act of infamy; and those that harbour or help them have a choice: either to cease their protection of our enemies; or be treated as an enemy themselves ... So we need to look once more: nationally and internationally at extradition laws, and the mechanisms for international justice; at how these terrorist groups are financed and their money laundered: and the links between terror and crime and we need to frame a response that will work, and hold internationally."

Archive of the Prime Minister's speeches - 14-9-2001

While Bill Clinton dithered at the opportunity of defusing the Al Qu`ida network earlier Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | US lost chance to oust Taliban leader The natives of Afghanistan didnt quite see it the same way as Tony Blair, with RAWA declaring;

"While a war against terrorism in the name of democracy is the excuse for the attack, the people of Afghanistan, at least, know well the hidden nature of these claims and excuses."

Statement of RAWA's anti-war demonstration in Islamabad, Feb.24, 2003

For removing the Taliban (after insisting the initial "search" was for Al Qu`ida in Afghanistan), Blair gained the nickname "poodle" 'Poodle' Blair risks defeat as dog of war: poll - theage.com.au

The current argument for removing Saddam Hussein in Iraq (after declaring that Blair Does Not Support De Facto "Regime Change" in Iraq on the 3rd September 2002, and six months later;

"He said he felt more comfortable now that the aim was to remove Saddam Hussein's regime from power - rather than just the removal of weapons of mass destruction."

BBC NEWS | Politics | Blair says 'huge amount' achieved (25 March 2003)

Summary

Although the Conservative Government criticisms led Blair into power. The contrasts were simple. The Conservatives had led Britain into two conflicts; in the Falklands (1982) and the Gulf War in 1991 over a period of eighteen years. Within six years, Blair has since led Britain into three conflicts. Of those conflicts, both Conservative and Labour Governments have a history of deception and dual use policies.

The lack of clarity, and history of Bosnia and Afghanistan leads many to conclude that this third conflict in Iraq (2003) will have frightening consequences. Many observers claim an increase in terrorism will result. Social Sciences Data Collection, University of California San Diego February 1

Further UK and Spanish separation from Europe is almost a certainty, with France and Germany both publically opposing the war in Iraq. Pravda.RU Europe Might Split over Iraq Internal Labour Party squabbles suggest sores that will never heal and a party split could result.

One hidden benefit for the Americans in this scenario, would be to see the demise of such political structures such as the United Nations and the European Union. That could prevent any embarrassing court appearances in the International Court for war crimes (NATO) and equally assure a continuity of the US hegemony against the currently threatening Euro currency. By the time European countries composed themselves, the US would have control of all industrialised nations by controlling the buttons and levers of pipelined oil, via the pipelines currently being built in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Chris Adams of the FT adroitly forecasted the resignation of Robin Cook, while reporting on his appearance at the funeral of murdered Serbian premier Djindjic;

"If Mr Cook carries out his threat to quit Tony Blair's cabinet, as seems possible next week, the cemetery might also be witnessing the last rites of his ministerial career."

Christopher Adams (15-3-03) "Cook May be Blair's leading War Casualty," Financial Times, London, U.K.

Individually at least, Cook seems to have regained some of his dignity, by resigning, BBC NEWS | Politics | Cook's resignation speech BBC NEWS | Politics | Cook gets Commons ovation
Guardian Unlimited | Cartoons | 18.03.2003: Robin Cook's resignation

Blair appears to have returned to his actor days and when the role has demanded, simply changed clothes to suit the role. Blair's support for conflict has led to a war crimes charge via NATO in the International Criminal Court, a further destabilised Afghanistan, and major policy direction changes for Iraq, first not supporting de facto regime change and then "he felt more comfortable now that the aim was to remove Saddam Hussein's regime from power."

Last, but not least, the outstanding allegations of an Arms to Iraq scandal II Abel Gratis - HOME Thus leaving little credence to his claim in an interview with CNN We will act with reason and resolve - October 7, 2001 and demonstrating that he too could be "knee deep in dishonour. "

Copyright S Coleman 2003 26 March 03