Post by Taxigirl on Nov 13, 2003 9:54:02 GMT
There is agreement in Thursday's newspapers that there is a real crisis for America's policy in Iraq.
Wednesday's hastily arranged meeting between President Bush and his administrator of Iraq, together with the suicide bombing in the south of the country, prove this, the papers say.
The Daily Telegraph senses a growing panic at the White House, and suggests the president is speeding up America's exit strategy from the country.
The Guardian's front page examines a bleak CIA report which warns that the situation inside Iraq is getting out of control, and estimates that anti-coalition elements may number 50,000.
However, there is no consensus on how America should deal with this crisis.
The Times says more troops might be needed, and calls for greater resolve by the international community.
The Guardian warns that US-led "bombing and heavy-handed raids" will only fuel the insurgency.
For the Independent, the key is for the coalition to get out as soon as possible and accelerate the process towards elections in Iraq.
An editorial claims that the conflict is beginning to resemble the Vietnam war.
'Electrifying' Howard
There is praise this morning for Michael Howard's debut performance at Prime Minister's Questions.
"Electrifying," says the Times. "Cutting and witty," enthuses the Express.
Most observers note that his strong showing forced the prime minister to raise his game.
"By the time it was over," writes Quentin Letts in the Daily Mail, "British politics felt different."
There is general agreement that PMQs is worth watching again.
The lone voice of dissent comes from the Guardian's sketch writer, Simon Hoggart, who claims the "same old jibes" were trotted out by both leaders, each one greeted with "demented cheering".
He argues that the Conservatives have such low expectations after two years of Iain Duncan Smith, that if "Michael Howard had dropped his trousers, pirouetted round and mooned at the prime minister, he'd be a leader of the Tories for life".
'Debt disaster'
The Express seizes on remarks by the governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, about Britain's economic outlook, warning its readers that the country faces a "debt disaster."
The Financial Times is less concerned.
It predicts that interest rates will probably rise further, but notes that Mr King does not think the debt problem is likely to be as serious as it was a decade ago.
Hodge criticised
There is strong criticism of the Children's Minister and former leader of Islington Council, Margaret Hodge, who described a child abuse victim as "an extremely disturbed person" in a letter to the BBC.
The man - who was abused while at a care home run by Islington Council - is now threatening to sue her.
The Sun describes her comments as a "disgraceful slur" and says she should be sacked.
Those sentiments are echoed in nearly all the papers.
The Guardian, however, believes she should stay and accuses the media of leading a "distasteful" campaign to oust her.
Chocolate warning
The Daily Mail reports that the chocolate manufacturer Cadbury is to slap a health warning on its products.
The reason, the paper says, is because it fears expensive lawsuits from obese chocoholics.
But there is better news for Guinness drinkers a few pages on. Apparently scientists have proved that a pint of the black stuff each day is "good for the heart".