One of the most bizarre developments in recent politics is the demand for national leaders to apologize. What in the world can possibly be served by this strange hand-wringing ritual?

President Bush refuses to play along with the gotcha! game, and so does Tony Blair: ‘Sorry’ Is the Hardest Word for Blair on Iraq.

LONDON (Reuters) - Tony Blair’s ministers have said it, his political opponents are baying for it but the British prime minister refuses to utter it.

When it comes to the Iraq war, “sorry” is the word on everyone else’s lips.

Blair’s rivals harangued him again on Wednesday for failing to say sorry over the justification he gave for the conflict.

Before the March 2003 invasion, Blair said Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction were a threat to Britain but he has since admitted intelligence was “wrong.”

“I take full responsibility and indeed apologize for any information given in good faith that has subsequently turned out to be wrong,” Blair told parliament on Wednesday, repeating the partial apology he has already made and studiously avoiding the word “sorry.”

“But I will not apologize for removing Saddam Hussein. I will not apologize for the conflict,” he added defiantly.