June 30, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

World spotlight focuses on British Prime Minister Tony Blair
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, June 30, Graphic News:  If 2004 was the year in which Tony Blair's policy on Iraq almost cost him his job, 2005 is providing him with plenty of opportunities to redeem himself both at home and abroad as the world's eyes turn to Britain when the country hosts the G8 summit of rich nations and the EU presidency.

After being re-elected in May for an unprecedented third term in government, he gained a mandate to deliver on key pledges on domestic policies, and disprove critics who say he has spread himself too thinly.

Blair watchers point out that, in fact, many of his troubles began after he "went global" following 9/11. But his vow to support the United States in the war on terrorism, and subsequent backing on Iraq, cannot be dismissed as merely opportunistic -- not only has the British leader reaped more problems than advantages from this position, it reflects two attributes that have been constants of his leadership, and may yet pay dividends.

Firstly, the British leader has always been bold, and secondly, he has always appeared to be driven by what he truly holds to be right -- even if key political allies and the public disagree.

Next week's G8 summit at Gleneagles in Scotland will put these attributes under the spotlight, as well as test his friendship with President Bush. Chancellor Gordon Brown has said that 2005 is a "make or break" year for the developing world, and Blair is under pressure to deliver on promises of debt relief to the poorest nations, and progress on vaccines for Aids and malaria. The UK government website cites the environment as another priority -- none are causes dear to the White House heart.

July also sees Blair take over the six-month European Union presidency at a time when negotiations on a possible constitution for the organisation have suffered the double blow of No votes in referendums in France and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, both Blair and Bush have begun reaching out to European leaders opposed to their policy on Iraq, and Blair will use Britain's turn in the EU hotseat to rebuild bridges. The Prime Minister has repeatedly said that he sees Britain in a mediating role between the rest of Europe and the United States.

Blair has stated that he will hand over the reins of power before the next election. The immediate challenges ahead give him not only the chance to cement domestic policies aimed at bringing about social change at home, but even, possibly, the chance to go down in the history books as an international statesman who brought about significant progress in the developing world.
/ENDS