the Real Blair Bush Story?

The headlines, the newscasts all stressed the same thing: Bush and Blair were of one mind on Iraq, still. Even the PBS Newshour reporter said something like it was a sunny spring day in Washington but there was no daylight between Blair and Bush.

But later in that same broadcast, interviews with three journalists---one from Italy, one from Poland, one from the UK---had a slightly different story to tell. Responding to questions, the Italian and the Polish journalist agreed that though the Iraq war was highly unpopular in their countries (as it still is in the UK), and even though their countries had both taken casualties (Italy has lost the most soldiers, after the U.S., and one kidnapped citizen murdered; both had sustained their first casualities and killed their first civilians in collateral damage since World War II), their governments were keeping their troops in Iraq.

But then, again in response to questions, they allowed that this was a commitment that expires on June 30, unless the UN takes charge. The Italian pointed out that in fact his government's position was precisely that of Spain. And the UK journalist confirmed that UN control was a condition of other European partners, which Tony Blair had been tasked to communicate to Bush.

So Bush's sudden interest in UN participation was not exactly his own bright idea. He apparently was told by his good buddy Blair that he'd truly be going it alone in Iraq starting in July if he doesn't cede control to the UN. Though Bush made all those noises, it remains to be seen how much control he is willing to give up, and what else as well---like contracts and oil revenues---to participating countries.