U.N. Sabotage in Iraq

My friend Naomi sent me this Op Ed claiming that the unwillingness of the U.N. to be 'tainted' by cooperation with America amount to sabotage of Iraqi democracy.

It was to avoid the American "lepers" that the Security Council voted seven weeks ago to create a special international force to protect the U.N. mission in Iraq. So far, however, not a single country has offered to join. And the French, Germans and Russians (who had most opposed the use of U.S. troops for the purpose) are not even prepared to contribute money for such a force. Worse still, they are pressuring other countries not to offer troops. Annan's office speaks of "difficulties to be sorted out." That is not good enough. What we have here is an attempt at sabotaging Iraq's progress toward free elections.

For a variety of reasons many countries do not wish for Iraq to be a success. Others are not opposed, but unwilling to commit resources to a distant country.