Two Messages from Normandy

[Guest]

Europe and the U.S. - A duty to try together

Two great historic anniversaries, and the noble rhetoric that inevitably accompanies the meetings of statesmen on these occasions, have partially obscured the political significance of the American president's journey to Europe. Mr. Bush is going through a difficult period. He has to face the judgment of the electorate, and demonstrate that his administration can find its way out of its thorny predicament in Iraq. Yet the political and institutional timetable for his plan - handover of power to an Iraqi government, elections, constituent assembly, new elections, and a new government - is credible only if backed by the U.N., which means the countries on the Security Council that opposed America's Iraqi war. Mr. Bush, then, came to Europe to ask France, Germany, and Russia for something (sadly, he had nothing to ask from Italy, except the continuing military presence that Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is in no position to deny). Behind the veil of rhetoric, the celebrations in Normandy actually embraced two separate events. On stage was the show in which Europe thanked America for her generosity, while behind the scenes another drama unfolded as America sought precious political assistance from the representatives of the countries that sixty years ago she fought or liberated. It is likely that Mr. Bush got what he wanted. France, Germany, and Russia cannot afford to be seen as the saboteurs of a reasonable peace process. France in particular negotiated hard to obtain American guarantees of increased powers for the Iraqi government, and agreement to declaring a limit to the presence of American troops in the country. But the French do not want to resume last spring's showdown, and will give their consent in the end. There will be a U.N. resolution, and unless there are any last-minute incidents, Mr. Bush will be able to unveil to American voters a plan backed by the world's greatest international organization.

Is this the solution to the Iraqi problem? Much will depend on what happens on the ground over the next few months. The United States will grant Iyad Allawi's government a say in the problem of how American soldiers are employed, but the use of force will, in the last analysis, depend on their judgment and the many unforeseeable dangers they will have to face. It is hard to imagine that the Americans will deny their forces the right to react, even if this involves a risk of harming the civilian population. Much will also depend on the ability of the American plan to settle the rivalries of ethnic and religious groups in Iraqi society. The war has taken the lid off Pandora's box, and brought into the open the bitter rivalries of Sunnites, Shiites, Kurds, and Turkomans. Many of the guerrilla insurrections and operations in recent months have a common enemy - America - yet give the impression of being a warm-up for a much bloodier game that may be played out by rival groups tomorrow. Elections in a land where the majority is Shiite, and results from the ballot box look a foregone conclusion, could be the prologue for a deadly civil war.

These are tomorrow's risks, but none of them justifies skepticism or, worse, cynicism. We may be very doubtful about whether the American plan will correct Washington's errors, but no European government can afford to turn its back, and leave the world's greatest power to get itself out of trouble. We have a duty to try, mindful perhaps of a remark made by William of Orange during the war against the Spanish. He said, "It is not necessary to succeed to undertake an endeavor." In the end, his endeavors were crowned with success.

Sergio Romano http://www.corriere.it

[Guest]

I would call this article a fair assessment. I hope the U.S. does get the support of the U.N. It will certainly increase the odds of success in Iraq. Ultimately though, success is going to depend on the will of the Iraqi people. They are free from a totalitarian regime, but it is up to them to make the most of their freedom.
...Jennifer...