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Article: A special relationship reborn In five whirlwind days, Tony Blair stitched together a global coalition. In the process, says JOE MURPHY, who travelled with the Prime Minister, he proved his worth in America's eyes
- Article from:
- The Sunday Telegraph London
- Article date:
- September 23, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2001 The Sunday Telegraph London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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As the Prime Minister's airliner climbed to 43,000ft above the
Atlantic, an extraordinary mid-air summit assembled in the first-
class lounge behind the cockpit.
A war Cabinet, sitting awkwardly in chair-beds designed to help
stressed executives relax on long-haul flights, convened to discuss
the last details of a military offensive that is likely to begin
within a few days.
It included the elite of Tony Blair's political inner circle, his
closest unelected advisers who form the nucleus of power at Number
10. In addition, there were four mysterious outsiders, senior
analysts and planners from the Ministry of Defence and Secret
Intelligence Service officers.
They talked for a full hour of ...