McCONNELL TRIES TO REWRITE HISTORY OVER IRAQ – WAR NOT ABOUT WMD
Posted on Sunday, April 29 2007
FIRST MINISTER’S PARLIAMENT QUOTES FROM 2003 ALL ABOUT WMDFollowing the BBC Leaders Debate this evening [Sunday], in which Jack McConnell stated his view that the reason for the Iraq war and getting rid of Saddam Hussein was NOT his supposed possession of weapons of mass destruction, the Scottish National Party published quotes from Mr McConnell from Scottish Parliament debates in March 2003 where he makes it very clear that WMD was exactly the stated reason for the war.Moray MP and SNP Defence Spokesperson Mr Angus Robertson said:“This is an extraordinary, and failed, attempt by Mr McConnell to rewrite history. Tony Blair told the House of Commons that the non-existent weapons of mass destruction was the reason for the Iraq war, and Mr McConnell parroted the same thing at Holyrood. The record may be inconvenient for Labour, but there is no way that they will get away with trying to change it. After misleading the country into an illegal war, no-one believes a word that Labour say about anything anymore.”Note: The quotes are as follows /McConnell on WMD in Scottish Parliament:13 March 2003: Official Report Col 19435: Jack McConnell: Because we want a peaceful solution, we must have no doubts in our determination to back UN resolution 1441 and we must show no sign of weakness in backing the demand for the Iraqi regime to give up its weapons of mass destruction.13 March 2003: Official Report Col 19435: Resolution 1441 confirms that Iraq is already in material breach of its obligations to the international community. It sets a final challenge for Saddam Hussein to openly and honestly give up those weapons and to co-operate fully and quickly. Resolution 1441 does not ask for evidence of his guilt; it confirms his guilt. The UN demands evidence that he has changed.13 March 2003: Col 19436: Given the threat from international terrorism to this country and throughout the world, and given the callous nature of the regime in Iraq, which is not willing to give up its weapons of mass destruction, it would indeed be an act of unpardonable folly for us to stand on the sidelines and do nothing.20 March 2003: Col 19799: It is because the international community agreed unanimously, in UN resolution 1441, that he still had those weapons and had to provide information on them and give them up that we are in this situation. It is because of that situation that we need to support our troops, look after them and ensure that they are not affected by chemical attacks or any other attacks that Saddam Hussein might launch over the next few days or weeks.
LOCAL MP REACTS TO NIMROD MISIDENTIFICATION
Posted on Sunday, April 29 2007
Moray MP Angus Robertson, whose constituency contains RAF Kinloss, has reacted to reports in today's Observer regarding the misidentification of remains from the Nimrod tragedy in AfghanistanThe SNP Defence spokesperson confirmed that he has already met with Defence Secretary Des Browne MP and is set for further discussions about the circumstances.Mr Robertson said:"This whole issue is extremely distressing for the families involved and the wider service community."Whilst it is undoubtedly difficult to undertake identification following such a destructive accident the circumstances of this misidentificaton are completely unacceptable."I have already discussed this with Defence Secretary and will have further talks shortly."Hopefully the Ministry of Defence has apologised to the families and lessons have been learnt so that these mistakes are never repeated again."ENDS
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