Exercise caution before going in to ‘clean up’ Iraq
Such an invitation should be considered with great care and circumspection. Many people believe the attack on Iraq to have been illegal and the current occupation to be illegal. There will be a doubt about the legitimacy of any Iraqi government which emerges without UN supervision.
"Normalcy" may well emerge but, contrary to what Donald Rumsfeld asserts, the present situation of many in Baghdad is manifestly worse than it was materially under Saddam.
An occupation that is mishandled can wipe out all previous memories and create its own trauma.
Huge pressure will be exerted on our Government (and those who might have a role in reconstruction contracts) to join the "coalition of the willing".
The Government should not become involved in the Iraqi situation unless some watertight formula is found by which the authority for the administration comes from the Security Council and where the Security Council has actual control.
Maurice O'Connell,
19 Forge Park,
Tralee,
Co Kerry.
