- Tony Blair's former envoy to Iraq yesterday admitted
the war may prove to be a "waste of lives, money and effort".
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- In an astonishing admission, top diplomat Sir Jeremy
Greenstock said if the situation in the country did not improve within
18 months, military intervention would be seen as a mistake.
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- He said: "If Iraq in 2006 looks very little better
than under Saddam, then the whole thing was a waste of lives, money and
effort."
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- Sir Jeremy's view reflects growing doubts among senior
Foreign Office figures about the war.
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- The influential diplomat was Mr Blair's special representative
in Iraq until March this year in charge of organising the handover of power
to Iraqis.
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- He said the war could still be justified if Iraq "has
people expressing their own views and has brought in its own government".
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- But, he told the BBC, people needed to wait until the
end of the power transition period in 2006 before taking a view.
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- Downing Street could barely contain its fury at his remarks.
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- A spokeswoman said they came on the same day as a major
democratic advance in Iraq. She said icily: "Sir Jeremy is entitled
to his view. We are clear that there is an important democratic process
currently underway in Iraq."
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- Meanwhile there was also concern over reports journalists
were ordered to leave Najaf. A Downing Street spokeswoman said they had
contacted Iraqi authorities.
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