Blair to broadcast directly into Iraq

Tony Blair is to broadcast directly into Iraq, hoping to send a personal message to Saddam Hussein.

The Prime Minister has recorded an interview for Radio Monte Carlo, the most popular station broadcasting into Iraq, and No 10 says Saddam is known to be a listener.

He warns the Iraqi leader he will be disarmed by force if he fails to co-operate with United Nations weapons inspectors.

"It is up to him as to whether he does it, and if he doesn't do it then the consequence is that the weapons will be disarmed by force - and that is why it is important to realise this is a very, very clear choice, but if he wishes to comply and co-operate with the inspectors, that is fine," said Mr Blair.

He says Saddam's duty is to co-operate fully with the inspectors.

He went on: "And the duty is not simply to let the inspectors back in and they do their best to find it, (while) he does his best to conceal it, the duty is to co-operate fully with the inspectors in providing an honest declaration of what is there and then co-operate in eradicating it."

Mr Blair says Saddam's regime is "brutal and oppressive" and added: "The Iraqi people are potentially a prosperous people, Iraq is a country that is potentially rich.

"The standard of living and prosperity of the Iraqi people would be infinitely greater were Saddam not there."

In a dig at Saddam's claimed 100% turnout to re-elect him president, Mr Blair said: "You only have to look at the recent election. What we actually know is that only one in three people turned out to vote and the election was plainly a sham."

Mr Blair sought to counter Arab fears that the conflict with Iraq was really about oil, or re-drawing the map of the Middle East.