British Prime Minister Tony Blair while touring the Middle East called on moderate leaders to join a “monumental struggle” between democracy and terrorism. He specifically identified Iran as under “the forces of extremism”.
"Our response should be to expose what they are doing, build the alliances to prevent it and pin them back across the whole of the region. To do this we need the open and clear backing of the countries in this region.”
The moderate countries of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have seen a number of significant dignitaries visiting recently. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert dropped in for a two hour meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan just the other day. Tony Blair gave his speech from Dubai, the Emirates’ Emerald City.
It would be helpful to have countries lined up on one side or the other should Israel take out Iran’s nuclear facilities. Significant carrots could be dangled for those on the borderline. Tony even trolled one in front of the crowd during his visit by announcing his plans to hold talks with world leaders in early 2007 on delivering a package of aid to Palestinian President Abbas.
"We must mobilize our alliance of moderation in this region and outside it and defeat the extremists" whose ideas are based on a "warped" interpretation of Islam, Blair said.
It appears to be happening quickly…
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