Excite News [spacer.gif] News Home Top News Video Business Technology Entertainment Sports World Odd [spacer.gif] [spacer.gif] [spacer.gif] [spacer.gif] AP o Reuters Blair Fires New Warning at Iraq, Gets Flak at Home Email this story Blair Fires New Warning at Iraq, Gets Flak at Home March 6, 2002 7:54 am EST By Mike Peacock LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a stark warning to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Wednesday that he could face the wrath of the West but quickly ran into fire from members of his own Labour Party. "(Saddam) should not underestimate the determination of the international community to prevent him developing and using weapons of mass destruction," Blair wrote in the Daily Express. But he faces stiff opposition, not just from European allies, but his own rank-and-file. A parliamentary debate on Wednesday was suspended after politicians traded bitter accusations over Iraq with a Foreign Office minister. President Bush dismayed countries around the world in January by branding Iraq, Iran and North Korea an "axis of evil." Hawkish members of Bush's team have suggested some sort of military action against Saddam was on the cards given Iraq's refusal to allow U.N. weapons inspectors back into the country. In Britain too, the language has hardened in the past month. "If we fail to continue to restrain Saddam Hussein, what is already a volatile situation in the region could easily become a world crisis," Blair wrote. "Saddam is continuing his chemical and biological weapons programs and is developing the long-range missiles to deliver them." PARLIAMENT BUST-UP A clutch of European countries have expressed their fears about attacking Iraq and dozens of Labour MPs are aghast at the prospect of widening military action beyond Afghanistan. Feelings ran so high in a debate in parliament that the sitting was suspended. "This is a premier league war," Labour MP George Galloway said. Weeks of carpet bombing, a full-scale invasion and years propping up a successor regime would be required, he said. His doubts were echoed by several others. "Who can sanely contemplate such a course of action. This is not a Labour policy, this is a policy of a right-wing Republican American administration," Galloway argued. Junior foreign minister Ben Bradshaw retorted that Galloway's anger would carry more weight if he had not acted as an "apologist" and "mouthpiece" for the Iraqi regime for years. "You're a liar," a furious Galloway shouted -- a serious breach of parliamentary protocol -- and the session was halted. Fifty-two members of parliament have signed a motion expressing "deep unease" at the prospect of Britain supporting military action in Iraq. Blair, who noted international weapons inspectors found anthrax and other biological weapons in Iraq after the Gulf War, said the Iraqi leader would have no compunction in using them. But he said no decision on a military strike against Iraq had yet been taken and Bush was consulting widely with allies. "Though Iraq seems far away and Saddam, for the moment, is on the defensive, it is in the interests of us all to face up to these threats with determination and resolve," Blair wrote. "President Bush will consult widely with his allies. Saddam Hussein would be wise not to mistake this for weakness." Articles From Reuters