* Britain's Iraq war hearing

Britain begins public hearing on country's role in Iraq war - Tues Nov 24, 2009


 LONDON, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- A public hearing on Britain's role in the Iraq war opened Tuesday with the chairman of the inquiry commission promising a "fair and frank" investigation.
    John Chilcot, the five-member commission's chair, said the inquiry would not be a "whitewash" and he would not shy away from being critical in the wide-ranging probe.
    "We want to examine the evidence," Chilcot said. "We will approach our task in a way that is thorough, rigorous, fair and frank."
    The commission will question dozens of officials over several months -- including military officials and spy agency chiefs. It will also seek evidence from former White House staff members.
    Among the most prominent witnesses will be former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who will be questioned on whether he secretly backed U.S. President George Bush's plans for an invasion a year before Parliament authorized military involvement in 2003.
    "We will ask them to explain the main decisions and tasks, and their involvement," Chilcot said. "That will give us a clear understanding of how policy developed and was implemented, and what consideration was given to alternative approaches."
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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/25/content_12533461.htm