Sign in Subscribe
United States

Bush and Blair Reaffirm Commitment to Help Iraqis Achieve Peace and Democracy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair emerged from a meeting to reiterate their commitment to assisting the Iraqi people in achieving peace and democracy. The two leaders emphasized their resolve to stand by the Iraqi people, despite initial challenges and difficulties in the conflict. Bush and Blair welcomed the plan for a caretaker government being developed by the United Nations envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, to establish sovereignty in Iraq by June 30.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair reaffirmed their commitment to help the Iraqi people achieve peace and democracy, despite initial challenges and difficulties in the conflict.
  • The two leaders welcomed the plan for a caretaker government being developed by the United Nations envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, to establish sovereignty in Iraq by June 30.
  • Bush and Blair emphasized the importance of standing by the Iraqi people, citing decades of tyranny and broken promises from the international community.
  • The U.S. and Britain will not budge from their June 30 deadline for transferring sovereignty to Iraq, despite ongoing difficulties in the conflict.
  • Blair signaled a shift in the emphasis to helping the Palestinians achieve an independent, viable state, with a focus on economic and security measures.
  • The U.S. has refused to deal with Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, and any additional aid will be funneled through the United Nations to the Palestinian finance ministry.

Statistics:

  • The U.S. provides more aid to the Palestinians through the United Nations than any other nation.
  • The June 30 deadline for transferring sovereignty to Iraq remains unchanged, despite ongoing difficulties in the conflict.
  • The U.S. has committed to increasing its contributions to the Palestinians if the money is funneled through the United Nations to the Palestinian finance ministry.

Sources:

  • President Bush
  • Prime Minister Tony Blair
  • United Nations envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi
  • Scott McClellan, White House spokesman
  • Administration officials

Read more