The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
London - A confidential memorandum to British Prime Minister Tony Blair from his attorney general in 2003 about the legality of going to war in Iraq has derailed the final days of the Labour Party's re-election campaign. Blair had little choice but to release the memo Thursday after most of the details were leaked to Channel 4 News, intensifying pressure from his political rivals. The memo confirmed speculation that Lord Goldsmith warned on March 7, 2003, that it would be safer to delay the war in Iraq until the United Nations Security Council passed a second resolution specifically authorizing military action. The memo was not shown to the cabinet. Tel Aviv - Russian President Vladimir Putin defended controversial sales of missiles to Syria and nuclear supplies to Iran Thursday as he continued a historic visit to Israel. Russia has provided assistance to Iran's nuclear program and has agreed to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Syria, a move that drew criticism from Israel. Jerusalem - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a stern warning to militants Thursday, saying he'd use force against anyone who broke a ceasefire with Israel. "Whoever wants to sabotage [the truce] with rocket fire or shooting must be stopped by us, even if that requires using force," said Abbas.
