A country so blessed must not have doubts about its national identity.”An economist, he recognises that former colonial trade and political ties are fading and that new global economic demands require that Caribbean solidarity takes precedence over links with the former colonial power.This week the community of Holetown on the north-west coast marks the arrival of the first English settlers in 1627. Britons, who make up around 40 per cent of long-stay tourist arrivals, will join locals in the rum- and reggae-fuelled celebrations. Down the whole tourist coast from Holetown to Bridgetown it is hard to detect much anxiety about the “Republic of Barbados”. The island’s biggest money-spinner does not appear to be in jeopardy Nelson, however, may yet find his nemesis in Gary Sobers.. Reaction in the Middle East to the air-strikes on Iraq divided predictably, with every government apart from Israel’s condemning the US and Britain. Reaction in the Middle East to the air-strikes on Iraq divided predictably, with every government apart from Israel’s condemning the US and Britain.
Israel’s deputy defence minister, Ephraim Sneh, said there was no concern about the attacks causing a flare-up of violence in the Gulf.

But Israel would worry if Saddam Hussein’s attempts to produce weapons of mass destruction did not go unchecked.The attacks are sure to deepen anti-American sentiments on the volatile streets of Gaza and the West Bank, where Saddam Hussein enjoys strong popularity, not least because of his support for their intifada. The radical militant elements leading the war against Israel will see the air-strikes as further evidence of the truth of their long-held position – that the US is incapable of being an even-handed player or mediator in the Middle East, no matter who is in the White House.The Iraqi leader tightened his links with the Palestinians by making $10,000 (£6,900) cash payments to the families of “martyrs” – those killed during the uprising by the Israeli army. As news of the strikes reached the West Bank, there were small demonstrations. At one rally Muawia al-Masri, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council urged Arab leaders not to welcome the new Secretary of State, Colin Powell, when he visits the Middle East later this month. “Once again the US showed its real face, as an enemy not only of the Iraqi people but all Arab nations,” Mr Masri said.The attacks may be a signal from Mr Powell that he intends to take a tough line in this turbulent region. This will not be welcomed by the Palestinian leadership around Yasser Arafat, who had hoped that the election of the hardline Ariel Sharon and the departure of Bill Clinton – widely seen by Arabs as excessively pro-Israeli – would usher in a US administration more detached from Israel, and therefore more sympathetic to them.They have more pressing problems, however. The UN Middle East envoy, Terje Roed-Larson, warned last week that violence between Israel and Palestinians could spin out of control unless the bankrupt Palestinian Authority gets $50m a month to keep functioning.

Without the cash, the Palestinian administration could crumble in weeks, imperiling peace prospects, since extremist groups could further increase their influence.. Tony Blair came under fire yesterday from Labour MPs, European allies and other permanent members of the UN Security Council for Britain’s supporting role in air-strikes on Iraq. Tony Blair came under fire yesterday from Labour MPs, European allies and other permanent members of the UN Security Council for Britain’s supporting role in air-strikes on Iraq.
The Prime Minister was at Chequers preparing for a keynote speech to launch his election campaign at a conference in Glasgow today, in which he is expected to tell his audience that he is “restless for change”. But yesterday he was forced to defend himself against claims that Britain had gone along with President George W Bush’s desire for personal revenge against Saddam Hussein.

The Iraqi leader defied the efforts of his father, George Bush, to oust him.Mr Blair, who this week will fly to Washington as the first European leader to meet Mr Bush, said he was prepared to take “the steps necessary to protect our forces, and to prevent Saddam from once again wreaking havoc, suffering and death”.Iraq vowed to retaliate yesterday as it cleared up after Friday’s attacks on radar installations near Baghdad, in which eight British aircraft took part. Although Baghdad refused to show journalists the sites targeted by the allies, it said two civilians died and more than 20 others were wounded. An Iraqi newspaper, al-Qadissiya, called Mr Bush “the son of a viper”, and said America and Britain would not go unpunished.According to military sources, concern had grown among US and British air commanders that Iraq had improved its air defences to the point where the loss of an allied aircraft had become increasingly likely. Mr Bush’s commanders pushed the new President to act quickly.Winding up a visit to Mexico yesterday, Mr Bush shrugged off the strikes as “a routine mission conducted to enforce the no-fly zone”.

He added: “I was informed, and I authorised it.” His intention was to warn Saddam Hussein that he had better not break any promises he made after Desert Storm, the 100-day Gulf War launched by Mr Bush senior.Downing Street said Mr Blair would go to Washington “absolutely settled in his mind” that he can establish the kind of strong personal rapport with the Republican President Bush that he enjoyed with his Democratic soulmate, Bill Clinton.However, his determination to forge close links with Mr Bush caused dismay among some Labour MPs. The veteran Tam Dalyell attacked the air strikes as “counter-productive, wicked and abhorrent”. John McAllion, Labour MP for Dundee East, said: “Obviously George W Bush is getting his own agenda from his father’s previous failures in Iraq, and Blair is wanting to cement the UK relationship with him. I don’t think that is justified.”International reaction emphasised how isolated the two leaders will be when they meet at Camp David later this week.