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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dayuhan who wrote (37403)	4/2/2004 12:57:36 PM
From: Mary Cluney	Respond to of 793974

<<<The test will come when things we don't like start happening in the new democracy. Will we let democracy take its often awkward course, even if that course doesn't suit us, or will we step in and try to impose a government that will serve our interests?>>> With no disrespect to the Iraqi people intended, I think we did them a favor by getting rid of Saddam Hussein. How and why we got rid of Saddam is something they should let the American electorate sort out in the coming elections. If the Iraqi people are smart (and many of them are) they should use this opportunity to get things right for themselves. But the reality is they have almost no chance (for whatever historic reasons) to do this on their own. Having said all that, we now find ouselves on the ground in Iraq and almost everyone can agree we can't just pull out. At the same time we can't and will not dictate (over any length of time) to the Iraqi people what to do next. The only alternative we have is to guide them into forming a government that answers to its own people. The trick for us is to be like a good doctor or a good parent. Do no harm and at the same time prevent them from the most egregious types of mistake. We can't appear to micro manage things. We can't appear and should not be too harsh. We should ensure that their natural resouces are not stolen from them and do not go to waste. We should be there for them when they want to rebuild their economy. We should be there for them when they decide to rejoin the world community. If we do the right things, do you think our national interests would be weakened? If you really look at this situation, this is where we have more potential to benefit our own national interest at the least cost than almost anywhere else. Mary