WATFORD MP Claire Ward has urged the Prime Minister to remember "the thousands of ordinary citizens" whose lives are at risk if war is declared on Iraq.
At a meeting with Mr Tony Blair, she said she hoped the conflict could be resolved peacefully, but accepted Britain and the US must be prepared to take action if necessary.
Miss Ward claimed the US might have already initiated military action in the Middle East if it weren't for Mr Tony Blair's intervention.
She said: "I am very aware of the strong feelings about the threat of war with Iraq.
"We are all conscious that when war is discussed, it is not just the military or the leaders whose lives are at risk, but thousands of ordinary citizens. I fully understand those concerns.
"I realise that concerns are heightened by the deployment of our forces to the Gulf.
"But this does not necessarily mean that they will be engaged.
"However, I hope that by exerting this pressure, and showing that we might be prepared to act by force, we will ultimately settle this conflict peacefully. I very much hope that military action can be avoided."
January 30, 2003 15:30
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