Blair's legacy trip to Iraq

Last Modified: 19 May 2007
By: Alex Thomson

Tony Blair flies in to Iraq to face a barrage of mortar fire in Baghdad and Basra.

Iraq arguably it toppled Tony Blair as surely as he helped topple Saddam.

But as ever, in Baghdad today no apologies, no regrets about an invasion and occupation that created a bloodbath here.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani listened politely enough - knowing they represent the government of this country only in name, in so many areas.

The only relatively safe way of getting Tony Blair from Baghdad airport to that press conference in the Green Zone compound is by air. Overall violence across Iraq has increased, the death toll worsened, since George Bush raised troop concentration in this city.

At least forty Iraqis were killed in the war here today - more will die tomorrow. Eight American soldiers have now been killed in the past 48 hours alone - as searches continue for three more American troopers missing in action.

In Basra, southern Iraq four years ago there were happy smiling Iraqi children meet and greet the PM in a carefully staged photo-opportunity. Such things were possible then on the streets of Iraq's second city - today it's unthinkable.

More British soldiers are being killed in Basra now than ever - it's too dangerous for a Royal soldier to go there. Too dangerous for a British Prime Minister to visit anything much beyond the British fort outside the city.

When Tony Blair landed here today - we received precisely seven seconds of video before a mortar attack on the base ended transmission of images.

For once, the lack of pictures from Iraq, eloquent commentary on the state of security here.