THE ESTABLISHMENT ROUNDS ON TONY BLAIR

The big news in London is the story of an open letter to the prime minister, Tony Blair, signed by fifty-two former diplomats, including past ambassadors to Baghdad and Tel Aviv. They urge Mr. Blair to use his alliance with Mr. Bush to exert"real influence as a loyal ally ... If that is unacceptable or unwelcome, there is no case for supporting policies which are doomed to failure." They also accuse the US-led coalition of having"no effective plan" for Iraq after the war and an apparent disregard for the lives of Iraqi civilians. They urge Mr. Blair to act urgently to challenge the UK's portrayal as a partner in US policies condemned by the Arab and Muslim world. The text of the letter and a full list of the signatories may be read here.