Thousands of letters from Tony Blair are being delivered to people of Iraq as part of the UK's efforts to win hearts and minds. Here is the full text of the leaflet.
As soon as Saddam Hussein's regime falls, the work to build a new free and
united Iraq will begin.
A peaceful, prosperous Iraq which will be run by and for
the Iraqi people. Not by America, not by Britain, not by the UN - though all of
us will help - but by you the people of Iraq.
For the first time in 25 years you will be free from the shadow of Saddam
and can look forward to a new beginning for your families and your country.
The money from Iraqi oil will be yours - it will no longer be used by Saddam
Hussein for his own benefit
|
That is already starting to happen in those parts of your country that have
been liberated. But you want to know that we will stay to get the job done. You
want to know that Saddam will be gone.
I assure you: he will be. Then, Coalition forces will make the country safe,
and will work with the United Nations to help Iraq get back on its feet. We will
continue to provide immediate humanitarian aid, and we will help with
longer-term projects.
Our troops will leave as soon as they can. They will not stay a day longer
than necessary.
We will make sure deliveries of vital aid such as food, medicine and
drinking water get through.
Post-war government
Our aim is to move as soon as possible to an interim authority run by
Iraqis.
This will pave the way for a truly representative Iraqi government,
which respects human rights and the rule of law; develops public services; and
spends Iraq's wealth not on palaces and weapons of mass destruction, but on
schools and hospitals.
The money from Iraqi oil will be yours. It will no longer be used by Saddam
Hussein for his own benefit and that of his regime. It will be used to build
prosperity for you and your families.
You should be free to travel, free to have access to independent media, free
to express your views.
We promise that the events of 1991will not happen again - we have pledged to remove
Saddam and we will deliver
|
As we made clear from the start, this is not a war of conquest. This is a
campaign that will end dictatorship, remove the weapons of mass destruction and
liberate the Iraqi people so you can determine your own future - a better
future.
This is not a war on Iraq. This is a campaign against Saddam Hussein's
regime.
For too long the world ignored the plight of the Iraqi people. That was
wrong. We know and understand that many of you live in fear of Saddam.
We
promise that the events of 1991 will not happen again. We have pledged to remove
Saddam. And we will deliver.
Once he is gone, we will help Iraq rebuild itself,
and become once more a member of the international family of nations.
In the spirit of true friendship and goodwill, we will do our utmost to
help.