Research the British Prime Minister's case against Saddam Hussein

Overview: In a speech to the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction program is "active, detailed and growing." How does Blair's position on Iraq compare to President Bush's position? Have students conduct research to determine whether Britain's dossier and Blair's speech have strengthened the case against Saddam Hussein.

Have students read the story "British P.M. Blair presents his evidence" and answer the following questions:

1.What is Britain's position on the War on Terrorism? How would you describe Britain's relationship to the United States? What message did British Prime Minister Tony Blair deliver to the House of Commons yesterday? Why was Blair's address politically significant? How did Iraq and the U.S. respond to Blair's report?

2.How does Britain's position on Iraq compare to the U.S. position outlined by President George W. Bush during his address to the United Nations last week? Refer students to the links below to examine Blair's address to the House of Commons, the main points of Britain's dossier on Iraq, and Bush's address to the U.N. Security Council. Have students create a chart that illustrates how Blair's speech supported Bush's position on Iraq. Challenge students to note the similarities and differences in the type of language Blair and Bush used to make their cases against Iraq. Do you think the UK's dossier and Blair's speech have strengthened the case against Saddam Hussein? Explain.