Iraq Study Group to hear Blair
British Prime Minister Tony Blair is to give evidence this week to a bipartisan U.S. panel that is reviewing policy on Iraq, as Washington and London seek ways to stem violence in the country and draw down their troops.
Blair is to speak Tuesday to the Iraq Study Group, co-chaired by Republican former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Rep. Lee H. Hamilton (D-Ind.), via video link from London, the prime minister’s office said Saturday.
“We want to ensure they are fully briefed on our ideas,” a spokeswoman said.
Blair is expected to say he supports diplomatic approaches to Syria and Iran to engage them in helping stop the bloodshed in Iraq, an idea some on the panel have indicated they favor.
Blair is also expected to emphasize his strong view that a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians is essential to bringing peace to Iraq.
President Bush is to meet the panel Monday. Its recommendations could include a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, analysts say.
British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has said she expects a “reassessment” of strategy, not a “major upheaval.”
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