A group of former British ambassadors have called for ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair to be removed from his role as the Middle East envoy after his recent attempt to “absolve himself” of responsibility for the crisis in Iraq.
Former British envoys and other political figures made the appeal in a letter addressed to the so-called Quartet – consisting of the US, EU, UN and Russia – which Blair represents.
The signatories were led by Sir Richard Dalton – a former ambassador to Iran under Blair, and included former British ambassadors Oliver Miles and Christopher Long as well as British MPs George Galloway and Caroline Lucas, former London mayor Ken Livingstone and former Liberal Democrat Peer Lady Tonge.
They said they are appalled by Iraq’s descent into a conflict “that threatens its very existence as a nation, as well as the security of its neighbors.”
“We are also dismayed, however, at Tony Blair’s recent attempts to absolve himself of any responsibility for the current crisis by isolating it from the legacy of the Iraq war,” the letter read.
The former UK envoys added that the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, in which British forces also participated, is to blame for the rise of terrorism in the Arab country.
“We believe that Mr Blair, as a vociferous advocate of the invasion, must accept a degree of responsibility for its consequences,” the letter read.
In addition, the signatories described the British ex-premier’s contribution during his seven years as the Quartet’s Middle East envoy has been “negligible.”
“According to the Palestinian Authority’s former Chief Negotiator, Nabil Shaath, Tony Blair has ‘achieved so very little because of his gross efforts to please the Israelis,’” the signatories added.
“Seven years on there are still over 500 checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank. Israel continues to build settlements that are illegal under international law,” the signatories said.
CAH/HJL
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