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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Karen Lawrence who wrote (33312)	12/22/2003 11:46:21 AM
From: Karen Lawrence	Respond to of 89467

BUSH AND BLAIR: THE BIG FALL-OUT Dec 21 2003 Relations in 'deep freeze' since Saddam caught By Chris Mclaughlin, Political Editor TONY Blair and George Bush's love-in has collapsed over the rebuilding of Iraq. The two leaders have fallen out over plans for the reconstruction of the country and the heavy-handed action of American troops against the civilian population. And the rift has been deepened by a Washington ban on a proposed morale-boosting visit by the PM to British troops in Iraq during the Christmas holiday. According to diplomats, relations between the allies have gone into "deep freeze" since the capture of Saddam Hussein last weekend. FALL-OUT: Blair and Bush President Bush was incensed that Mr Blair stole Washington's thunder by being the first Western leader to confirm that the former dictator had been arrested by US troops. Downing Street rushed out Mr Blair's announcement before he had spoken to the American leader early last Sunday, when Mr Bush - six hours behind London - was still in bed. Whitehall insiders confirmed that Mr Blair's decision was partly out of anger over a US veto on his proposed visit to British troops in Iraq during the Christmas holiday. Presidential advisers in Washington wanted Mr Bush to be the sole leader to make a Christmas visit to troops in Baghdad and urged Downing Street to postpone any visit. The US refused to co-operate on security arrangements for a Christmas visit by Mr Blair, who is going to spend the festive season with his family in the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh. Mr Blair and Mr Bush have had at least three phone conversations during the past seven days which Whitehall officials described as "increasingly terse". A Downing Street insider said: "Relations between the two are at the lowest ebb since they first met. "The PM is not happy at having to deal with Britain's European partners who have been left out of the rebuilding contracts. Of course they are still talking - but the diplomatic temperature is in the deep freeze." Mr Blair has expressed his concern over Mr Bush's decision to rule Germany, France and other European countries out of the running for lucrative contracts in the reconstruction of Iraq. The American President declared that countries which didn't support the war will not be awarded any of the rebuilding contracts. Mr Blair has complained that the move severely weakened Britain's strength in the European Union and contributed to the failure of last week's crucial EU summit. In recent phone conversations with Mr Bush, Mr Blair has also expressed worries about heavy-handed US tactics against Iraqi civilians. sundaymirror.co.uk