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About this quote

What does it mean?
Blair cautions against declaring the absence of WMDs before thorough verification.
In plain terms
Wait before saying no weapons of mass destruction exist.
What can you take from it?
Verify claims before declaring outcomes.

Where it applies

  • intelligence assessment
  • press conferences
  • policy debates

Putting it to work

  • reviewing intelligence
  • drafting cautious statements
  • waiting for inspectors

Questions to consider

  • How do we verify absence?
  • Who sets the standard for proof?

Another view

It lacks specificity on what would constitute proof.

More from Tony Blair

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  2. As I have said throughout, I have no doubt that they will find the clearest possible evidence of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.

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  3. We are asked now seriously to accept that in the last few years-contrary to all history, contrary to all intelligence-Saddam decided unilaterally to destroy th…

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