NWI Insights - An interview with Robin Cook, former UK Foreign Secretary, on the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq

Last week on NWI, a report on Channel 4 news interviewed the former UK Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook who resigned from his cabinet position shortly before the war in Iraq. The interview surrounded the latest revelation from Donald Rumsfeld that weapons of mass destruction in Iraq may never be found. This possibility is putting UK Prime Minister Tony Blair under increasing pressure and renewed criticism.

Cook states that the reason for the UK going to war alongside the US was because of the threat of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Cook says that it was President Bush who affirmed that a 'preemptive strike' was needed, which infers that Iraq was likely and capable of striking with its weapons. He contends that it is difficult to sustain the case for war if the weapons do not exist.

"Were the British people and parliament misled regarding weapons of mass destruction?"

Cook replies that it is possible that they were misled in good faith. He reminds viewers that he did have doubts and in his resignation speech he talked about such issues. Cook explains that if Iraq had weapons of mass destruction such as those that would be a threat and be able to hit a city target, they would not be small and difficult to find. For long range attacks, a nuclear reactor and a factory would be needed to power the attack and these should not be hard to spot. Coalition forces have been in Iraq for a considerable time now and this suggests that they do not exist, says Cook.

"Should there be an investigation on the war on Iraq?"

Yes answers Cook. He asserts that when the US Secretary of Defense says that weapons of mass destruction may not be found, an investigation is needed. Gaping holes seem to be appearing.

"Should Prime Minister Blair resign?"

Cook responds that he still believes Tony Blair is the best labour leader in his lifetime and that Blair will be judged by the people of Britain. Cook says that he continues to fully support Blair as leader.

"Do the latest revelations now undermine the US claims against countries such as Iran?"

Cook asserts that he believes that the war on Iraq itself has undermined the war on terror and this has been shown by the terrible atrocities of the past few weeks. In terms of Iran, the UK has had warm dialogue with Iran for a number of years. Iran is a democracy with a lively parliament and the reformers are winning elections. The UK has supported the reformers in the interest of both the UK and Iran. Cook worries that the recent accusations against Iran will simply play into the hands of those stricter elements of Iranian society and will undermine the people that we are trying to support.

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