I find a multitude of quotations in respect of what John (now Baron) Reid said in this context; however, the inferrance remains the same - a soothing yet condescending balm for a (rightly) concerned British public, no doubt clung to eagerly by the mothers of young squaddies, embarking on yet another US-led adventure, to the greater glory of the Bush/Blair partnership.
Mr Reid susequently takes a 50kGBP/yr 'consultancy' position with security firm G4S, which is then awarded a multi-million pound MOD contract in Afghanistan. This is a complete co-incidence.
Tony Blair: "This is no time for soundbites, but I feel the hand of history on my shoulder".
Really.
HB