Putting aside how it all came to pass (there are many arguments on many sides on that issue), what do you see as the best path to take as far as the Iraqi citizens go? What will benefit them the most now and in the future? Will the answer to that also benefit the neighboring nations? What about the Islamic world? What about the non-Islamic states?

I'm afraid that if the UN does not participate, the old argument that 'Bush acting unilaterally without the UN invalidates the UN' will arise again. If the UN does not step in and participate in building Iraq, there is no incentive for the U.S. to participate in the UN in the future. It could be the continuation of the downfall of the UN.


>To be honest i don't know why the french pulled out of Panama but Vietnam was a colony of the french at the time and they got kicked out. as i under stand it american interests were served in beating the commie's back out of vietnam. as we all know this was a disaster of epic proportions and we would hope something that should not be repeated again. France should not have to bail america out of this mess in iraq because the us went in without a un mandate and to this day offer no concessions. this had ceased to be a matter of humanitarian issues for the bushy administration but is now about reelection and if thousands of iraqy civilians have to die to get him reelected i doubt that he will lose sleep over it.
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>>There are two incidents within the last hundred years or so that involved France and the United States. France failed at building the Panama Cannel and the United States took over the project. The second item involves the war fought by France against Vietnam, and financed (85%) by the United States, which the French left and the United States took up.
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>>The term “Turn about is fair play” seems appropriate. Now it is France’s turn to bail us out! I suggest we leave Iraq and let France take over. Let the French pay for everything – money and bodies included.