Iraq inspectors to get more time - Blair
Saturday, 15 February, 2003, 10:59 GMT
Mr Blair expressed his determination to tackle the crisis
UN weapons inspectors will get more time to try to establish the truth about Saddam Hussein's efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
As hundreds of thousands gather for anti-war marches across the UK, the Prime Minister told the Labour Party's spring conference in Glasgow he wanted the UN to settle the ongoing crisis.
Mr Blair and other top Labour politicians are facing an uphill struggle to convince much of their grass roots support of the case for British participation in a US-led military attack on the Baghdad-based regime.
However, Mr Blair was dismissive of recent concessions by the Iraqi dictator, warning: "The concessions are suspect. Unfortunately, the weapons are real."
Blix report
Mr Blair said: "The time needed is not the time it takes the inspectors to discover the weapons.
"They are not a detective agency.
"The time is the time necessary to make a judgement - is Saddam prepared to co-operate fully or not?"
"If he is, the inspectors can take as much time as they want."
Friday's report by UN weapons inspector Hans Blix called for more time to be given to inspections and said Saddam Hussein's regime was improving co-operation.
The speech, which took place at 1030GMT on Saturday is thought to have been rescheduled to avoid a clash with an anti-war rally outside the conference centre.
In his speech, Mr Blair expressed respect for anti-war protesters' convictions and rights to demonstrate.
Tight timetable
He conceded it was still possible for Iraqi president Saddam Hussein to prevent military action by co-operating with the weapons inspectors.
But he insisted the international community must not show weakness.
Another report from Mr Blix is expected in a fortnight.
However, the prime minister made it clear the problem of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction must be confronted - even if it means war.
The conference has a tight timetable, which is focused away from the international crisis.
Heavy security surrounded the conference centre during the morning's proceedings with venue bosses have banned the use of amplifiers in the car park following a request from Labour.
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