>And I know you would agree this is all the more reason why we should act responsibly. But it is also the reason why countries like France - whose last little bit of importance in the world comes from its anachronistic permanent seat on the SC - can afford to do business with Saddam, knowing that if he really becomes a threat to the world the US and Israel will protect them, and therefore had lattitude to behave irresponsibly in the matter of Iraq.

You probably haven't heard what French foreign minister had to say about it. Off the top of my head: "Yes, we were Iraq's 7th most important foreign trade partner. But USA was the 1st."