Why is Blair so close to President Bush?

No British Prime Minster can afford to be seen, or to be accused of being anti-American, not even the current PM, Tony Blair. Not even Anthony Eden, who plotted the Suez War with France and Israel in 1956 against Egypt, and whose course of action was heavily criticised, and later blocked by President Eisenhower, did show any significant sign of anti-Americanism.

In fact General Eisenhower used U.S. economic and financial support to the UK to put an end to Eden's adventure. He simply withdrew the U.S. cover of the pound. But even that did not lead to a rift between the two countries.

On the contrary, Eden's successor, the aristocrat conservative Harold McMillan, worked very hard to remedy the relationship with Eisenhower, and later on with the Democrat President John F. Kennedy.

Though he told the BBC 2 programme Hotline to the President, screened on Sunday, that Britain was not America's puppet, Blair said that Britain must be prepared to pay a "blood price" to secure its "special relationship" with the U.S.

This "special relationship" has been upheld by successive British prime ministers, including the "odd couple" Socialist Harold Wilson and traditionalist U.S. President Johnson. Wilson was majestically entertained by the American president on his ranch, the first Socialist to set foot in Texas in two centuries.

Lost an empire

It was said in those days that the United Kingdom had lost an Empire and had not found a role. But there was more to it than what was claimed. Johnson wanted Wilson's support in U.S. war in Vietnam, including Britain's military contribution, no matter how symbolic it would have been.

Wilson, whose government was desperately dependent on U.S. financial support, somehow successfully managed to stay out of the Vietnamese quagmire. But he maintained his political and diplomatic loyalty to U.S.

He was known for his pragmatism and bold response to criticism of his blind loyalty to U.S. from radicals within his own government. "You don't kick your creditor in the balls", a phrase Wilson frequently used to silence his critics.

Dual act

This seems to be the case up till now, including the Thatcher- Reagan act, with slight difference. Blair and U.S. President George Walker Bush not only share the same conclusions concerning Iraq's Saddam Hussein and the "war against terrorism", they both "use Colgate tooth paste."

Blair was surprised when he heard Bush making this statement in their joint press conference and told BBC 2 programme he checked the tooth paste he was using when he went back to his hotel and found out it was Colgate.

But on a more serious note, British diplomats believe being close to the Americans gives Britain an edge in the special relationship in influencing the decision-making process in the White House.

Blair's closeness to Bush goes back to before September 11 and at a time when some of Blair's aides were still mourning the departure of Bill Clinton, the defeat of Al Gore and the dangerous insularity of the new Bush administration.

Blair is reported to have told his inner cabinet that he was determined to show that a left-of-centre government can work closely with the U.S., even if it has a Republican president.

Blair warned his cabinet in their last meeting before the summer break "not to walk into a trap by undermining the special relationship" with the U.S.

During a brief discussion on Iraq, he is reported to have said that their opponents (the Conservative party and conservative press) could not stomach the fact that a Labour government enjoyed good relations with a Republican administration in Washington.

He said quite clearly that Bush was a president "we could do business with, and a president we would do business with." Blair made this point bluntly in the programme that it was in Britain's interest to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the U.S.

After the last election in 2001, Blair set himself three priorities for a second term. The first two were Europe - believed to be preparing the country to join the euro - and the revival of the public services. His third was more surprising for some.

He was gripped by the importance of maintaining the closest possible relationship with the U.S. under President Bush. He sees Britain's relationship with the U.S. as a bridgehead with Europe.

When among other European leaders, Blair must feel big as a result of his closeness with a president of the most powerful state on earth.

Today, Blair may reveal a little more of what he had discussed with his partner Bush when he addresses the Trade Union Conference annual meeting in Blackpool.

Annual conference

Later in the month Blair may reveal even more of his discussion when he addresses his party's annual conference. Whatever he might choose to say, Tony Blair's three-hour 'war summit' with Bush may turn out to be a turning point of his premiership.

Blair went to Camp David, the president's Maryland retreat, with a chorus of domestic and international voices urging caution over military action against Iraq.

As he flew back into the UK last Sunday, and despite the emphasis put by both leaders on a concerted new diplomatic push, the talk of war had, if anything, got louder as a result of the trip. Now we have to wait to hear what the U.S. President, a "pragmatic hawk" according to Blair, might say in his speech at the UN Assembly this Thursday.

Mustapha Karkouti is the former president, Foreign Press Association in London.