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To: Victor Lazlo who wrote (155025)	4/2/2003 8:56:24 AM
From: GST	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 164684

We only have one meaningful ally -- Great Britain. Blair has shown remarkable leadership under extremely difficult conditions politically. As to the wisdom of decisions, only time will tell. He is certainly not leading by responding to public opinion polls, and he does not seem to be a raving ideologue as is the case with most of the "brains" behind Bush.

To: Victor Lazlo who wrote (155025)	4/2/2003 9:57:40 AM
From: Oeconomicus	Respond to of 164684

WAR IN THE GULF: POSTWAR REBUILDING: Corrupt U.N. would doom Iraq Ralph Peters - Contributor, Atlanta Journal & Constitution Sunday, March 30, 2003 Corruption will be the most important variable in the postwar reconstruction of Iraq. If not controlled, it will frustrate all of our hopes for Iraq's future, as it has ravaged the prospects of dozens of countries in the developing world. Yet, corruption is not even considered a strategic factor by planners and decision makers. Corruption is the cancer that kills all else. It polarizes and balkanizes societies. It fosters mistrust and destroys incentive. The danger posed to Iraq's recovery by rampant corruption is the great reason our government must not hand over Iraq's future to the United Nations. Contrary to a great deal of anxious speculation, the United Nations has not been destroyed or even much diminished by the dissension leading to the present war. We simply have been reminded, again, of the limits of the United Nations' abilities. The organization can help feed and house refugees, it can support peacekeeping operations in relatively benign environments, it provides a global platform to the otherwise voiceless and it serves as a tremendously effective employment agency for out-of-work bureaucrats from around the globe. But what the United Nations cannot do is summon the will to depose dictators --- too many dictatorships are represented in its body --- and it lacks the integrity to reconstruct countries that tyrants have ruined. Do we wish to charge Libyan or Nigerian officials with rebuilding Iraq and setting the example for good governance? Nor can the United Nations ever bring a project to conclusion. Each new endeavor creates a self-perpetuating bureaucracy. While it must be said, in fairness, that many honest and dedicated people do work for the United Nations, not one of my numerous friends working within or beside the United Nations in the field believes the organization is capable of honest management. The tales of corruption, from skimming relief funds to sexual exploitation of refugees, are so appalling that readers would be disinclined to believe them. The United Nations, at its best, does good work, despite its ethical laxity. At its worst, it contributes to the stagnation of troubled societies. Current demurrals notwithstanding, the United Nations will maneuver to gain control of rebuilding Iraq --- and not for humanitarian reasons. The ongoing oil-for-food program has been a huge source of income and employment for the United Nations. Last year, the revenue from oil-for-food sales approached $20 billion, of which the United Nations takes a percentage off the top for administering the program. No bureaucracy, anywhere, wants to surrender several hundred million dollars a year in income. Full article: accessatlanta.com