Britain's Prince Andrew attacks Bush on Iraq

05 Feb 2008 08:20:45 GMT 05 Feb 2008 08:20:45 GMT

Source: Reuters

By Kate Kelland

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L05179682.htm

LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Andrew launched a sharp attack on Tuesday on U.S. President George W. Bush for failing to listen to Britain during the conflict in Iraq.

In a newspaper interview ahead of a 10-day visit to America to support British business, the prince, who is fourth in line to the throne, said the aftermath of the Iraq war had left Britons with a "healthy scepticism" towards what is said in Washington.

"If you are looking at colonialism, if you are looking at operations on an international scale, if you are looking at understanding each other's culture, understanding how to operate in a military insurgency campaign -- we have been through them all," he said. "We've won some, lost some, drawn some."

"The fact is there is quite a lot of experience over here which is valid and should be listened to," he told the International Herald Tribune.

The prince, who also carries the title Duke of York, said that while Britain remained America's number one ally, the post-war situation in Iraq had prompted many here to wonder: "Why didn't anyone listen to what was said and the advice that was given."

"(There are) occasions when people in the U.K. would wish that those in responsible positions in the U.S. might listen and learn from our experiences," he said,

He added that it was, after all, the Americans who had asked for advice: "It's not as if we had been forcing that across the Atlantic."

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