We must make a genuine commitment to help build a democratic Iraq after the fall of Saddam. And let's be clear: a genuine commitment means a real commitment of time, resources, and yes, leadership. Democracy will not spring up by itself or overnight in a multi-ethnic, complicated, society that has suffered under one repressive regime after another for generations. The Iraqi people deserve and need our help to rebuild their lives and to create a prosperous, thriving, open society. All Iraqis - including Sunnis, Shia and Kurds - deserve to be represented.
This is not just a moral imperative. It is a security imperative. It is in America's national interest to help build an Iraq at peace with itself and its neighbors, because a democratic, tolerant and accountable Iraq will be a peaceful regional partner. And such an Iraq could serve as a model for the entire Arab world.
We know that military planning is in high gear, and that's good; but democracy planning needs to be in high gear as well. For example, we should be asking NATO now to start planning for a post-conflict peacekeeping role, and we need to start consulting with others now about sharing the financial burden of reconstruction.
We must also remember why disarming Saddam is critical to American security - because halting the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and ensuring they don't fall into the wrong hands, including terrorist hands, is critical to American security. This is a problem much bigger than Iraq.
We must lead our allies to greater collaboration, we must lead our friends to greater vigilance, we must lead our partners to greater participation - and we must lead problem states into adherence with the international agreements and programs to prevent proliferation.
If we're serious about dealing with this problem once and for all - and if we want to prevent future threats like Iraq from arising - then the United States must see non-proliferation for what it is: a strategic imperative, vital to our national interests.
more...
http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=62that doesn't seem broad enough to me unless the U.N. asks for a NATO led force under U.N. suppervision, no?
but this is my first glance.... would apreciate any direct quotes with links if you got any.
thanks again :hi:
peace