British business should exploit the potential of IRAQ says Tony Blair

Tony Blair: British business should exploit potential of Iraq after 'self-sacrifice' of troops


British companies should take advantage of Iraq's "economic opportunity" because our troops fought there with "heroism and self-sacrifice", Tony Blair has said.








Former prime minister Tony Blair Photo: ANDREW CROWLEY






By Rowena Mason, Political correspondent

11:54AM GMT 05 Nov 2012


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In a speech to business leaders, the former Prime Minister said the war is one of the "compelling reasons" why British companies should be part of Iraq's future.


Mr Blair, who took the UK to war in Iraq to depose Saddam Hussain, said Britain should not to shy away from doing business in the war-torn country, where the biggest investor is now South Korea.


He made the case for British companies to exploit its economic potential at a conference of the Iraq British Business Council, whose members include a raft of oil companies, including BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Petrofac and Vitol.


"Naturally, in addition, to the economic and industrial reasons, British forces helped liberate Iraq from Saddam and for years with much heroism and sacrifice helped Basrah survive the sectarian aftermath. They should be proud of what they achieved," he said.


Mr Blair was strongly criticised for letting Britain take part in the war, after he said the country had got hold of "weapons of mass destruction" that never materialised.



He's got a b****y nerve.!!!!!