Blair and Bush join forces to spin away weapons issue: "The British and US governments are drawing up a controversial new strategy to convince the public that Saddam was developing weapons of mass destruction - an admission that they have so far failed to make a convincing case. The 'big impact' plan is designed to overwhelm and silence critics who have sought to put pressure on Tony Blair and George Bush. At the same time both men are working to lower the burden of proof - from finding weapons to finding evidence that there were programmes to develop them, even if they lay dormant since the 1980s."

This is a natural strategy that they have been forshadowing for some time. But it will be remembered that the case for war was not based on "programmes", it was based on weapons. Weapons that could be launched in 45 minutes, that could reach the continental US etc etc.

Blair and Bush join forces to spin away weapons issue: "The British and US governments are drawing up a controversial new strategy to convince the public that Saddam was developing weapons of mass destruction - an admission that they have so far failed to make a convincing case. The 'big impact' plan is designed to overwhelm and silence critics who have sought to put pressure on Tony Blair and George Bush. At the same time both men are working to lower the burden of proof - from finding weapons to finding evidence that there were programmes to develop them, even if they lay dormant since the 1980s."

This is a natural strategy that they have been forshadowing for some time. But it will be remembered that the case for war was not based on "programmes", it was based on weapons. Weapons that could be launched in 45 minutes, that could reach the continental US etc etc.