First of all, I'd like to explain why I am posting this on a site that is mostly dedicated to U.S. politics.
Everyone knows that Tony Blair is Bush's biggest ally - or accomplice, however you want to think of it - in the Iraq war. One could make the argument that it would have been much more difficult for Bush to launch the war without Blair's support, because Blair sent quite a few troops to Iraq relative to any of the other countries in the "coalition of the willing".
Once you read the article I am going to post, you'll see a parallel between Bush and Blair: both ignored warnings regarding the likelihood of terrorist attacks on their soil. In Blair's case, the warning was specifically related to the UK's participation in the Iraq war.
Now, for the big news, which is in the 28 August 2005 editioin of The Observer:
The Foreign Office's top official warned Downing Street that the Iraq war was fuelling Muslim extremism in Britain a year before the 7 July bombings, The Observer can reveal.
Despite repeated denials by Number 10 [Downing Street] that the war made Britain a target for terrorists, a letter from Michael Jay, the Foreign Office permanent under-secretary, to the cabinet secretary, Sir Andrew Turnbull - obtained by this newspaper - makes the connection clear.
The letter, dated 18 May 2004, says British foreign policy was a 'recurring theme' in the Muslim community, 'especially in the context of the Middle East peace process and Iraq'.
But that's not all. The UK is seen as a "crusader state", as is the US:
Attached to the letter is a strategy document, also obtained by The Observer, which reveals further concerns. It says Britain is now viewed as a 'crusader state', on a par with America as a potential target. 'Muslim resentment towards the West is worse than ever,' the document, 'Building Bridges with Mainstream Islam', says.
'This was previously focused on the US, but the war in Iraq has meant the UK is now seen in similar terms - both are now seen by many Muslims as "Crusader states".
"On a par with America...". That's pretty bad. We all know that the Iraq war has made the world a much less safe from terrorism.
More below the fold.
Tony Blair
knew, and did nothing. Moreover, there was a cover-up:
However, all mention of the Iraq connection to extremism was removed from 'core scripts' - briefing papers given to ministers to defend the government's position on Iraq and terror.
The document begins: 'We do not see the Muslim community as a threat. Muslims have always made, and continue to make, a valuable contribution to society.'
The lines to be used by ministers include measures designed to address Muslim concerns, such as the introduction of religious hatred legislation and tackling educational underachievement among Muslims. But there is nothing to address the concerns raised by Jay eight months earlier.
Finally, Liberal Democrat (remember, that's a political party) spokesman Mark Oaten had this to say:
'For the government to deny a link between the war in Iraq and dismay among the Muslim community is ridiculous. But to try to cover it up, when senior civil servants have recognised the seriousness of the resentment, is even worse.'
When are the US and UK governments going to pull their heads out of the sand and recognize the damage that the Iraq war has done? The war has been the ultimate terrorist recruiting tool. Is the damage irreversible? I think so. The repercussions with respect to terrorism will probably continue for years.
Note: You can read the document here.