You line up some worst-case outcomes, Sam. They might come true, but I don't think they are probable. Even if they do come true, you have to ask, compared to what? The course of leaving Saddam in place was not a stable situation and was quite dangerous, if you believe that Iraqi Intelligence was working with Al Qaeda. I for one believe it. There is not solid proof yet, but I predict that evidence will emerge of the beautiful friendship that was developing.
Let me just ask, if the Telegraph's evidence that Mohammed Atta took training in Baghdad with Abu Nidal does pan out, would it change your mind at all?
As for Iraqi attitudes on the Israeli/Pal conflict, I doubt you can find an Arab population anywhere less enamored of the Palestinian cause. Saddam loved the Palestians, paid them money for dead kids and suicide bombers, while he let the Iraqis starve, invited them into Iraq and expropriated Iraqi houses to put them in (they've all been booted out now), etc, etc. And the Palestinians loved Saddam right back. The Iraqis hear that the Palestinians are boo-hooing for the capture of Saddam in Ramallah.
No, I don't think the plight of the Palestinians ranks very high with the Iraqis. And the Iraqis now have their own lives and country to worry about rebuilding. |
