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Once again, readers should be aware that my source for this report is none other than that sinister internet creep who breaks weird, vulgar stories that the New York Times and Washington Post wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole- the infamous MATT DRUDGE! That's the thing about the internet. Unless you're at the sites of established news organizations like Reuters, Associaed Press, LA and N.Y.Times,- reading stories properly confirmed by NBCCBSABCPBS,you can't believe anything you read!And if Bush or Rumsfield say it isn't so, even if they don't offer a single reason why 'it isn't so', well just forget about- it must be the insidious propaganda of the evil doers and their lame-brain liberal, pointy-head, intellectual sympathizers!Probably most of them are faggots too like that Osama-bin laden! It's about time we showed these towel heads what the marines are made of!!! Yahooooo!!!!!
Blair faces threat of resignations over Iraq stance
By Brian Groom, Robert Shrimsley and Cathy Newman
Published: March 7 2002 21:06 | Last Updated: March 7 2002 22:04
Tony Blair faces the threat of ministerial resignations - including at least one cabinet member - if he backs any US military action against Iraq, government insiders said yesterday.
The warning comes as the prime minister is under growing pressure from ministers who say the government is drifting and failing to seize the domestic agenda.
On the eve of a special political session of the cabinet at Chequers to discuss next month's Budget, the spending round and public services, ministers said the government was failing to get a coherent message across.
Doubts about military action in Iraq surfaced at the cabinet's regular weekly meeting on Wednesday, when some ministers expressed reservations about committing British forces without clear political support and an exit plan.
Government whips have warned Mr Blair that backbench unease over Iraq goes well beyond the 60 Labour MPs who have signed a Commons motion opposing military action.
Ministers say that to win the party's backing, there would have to be clear evidence of the threat posed by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. Mr Blair would face widespread dissent if he proceeded without it.
'People have talked of low-level resignations, but they could go right up into the cabinet,' said a government insider.
Clare Short, international development secretary - who was in Spain on Wednesday - is thought to be among the most concerned. She resigned from the shadow cabinet in 1991 rather than toe the official line supporting the Gulf war.
Robin Cook, leader of the Commons, is also believed to be among the doves. He told the house on Wednesday that no decision had been taken and 'none may ever be taken' to attack Iraq.
Later he did not deny to reporters that there were divisions inside the government. 'Lots of people have sometimes contradictory instincts on this. Nobody likes military action,' he said.
He spoke warmly of the backbench dissidents, saying many who signed the motion had a 'strong and honourable record of condemning proliferation'. But he added that doing nothing about Mr Saddam was not an option because he was acquiring materials for chemical and biological weapons.
Trouble on the international front comes amid ministerial anxiety over the handling of domestic issues after the Enron, Mittal and Byers affairs.
'We need to find our philosophy again. People don't know what we stand for any more. We need to get back to the idea that Labour stands for opportunity for all. People think we are all just a bunch of shysters,' said a cabinet minister.
Another said: 'We have got to get our message back on to the public services and away from the distractions that have hit us.'
A minister seen as a supporter of Mr Blair accused him of being bored and focusing only on foreign affairs.
http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3BPF33JYC&live=true&tagid=ZZZPB7GUA0C&subheading=UK
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