Exit strategy


How do we know when it's time to go?

LA PAZ (MM) -- One of the most confounding things about this mess is the exit strategy -- a situation well-understood by those of us who witnessed the Vietnam War. Rummy says four to five years. Some generals say two years. Chirac says now. What's realistic? An ironic question, considering the surreality of the entire mess. Regardless of how the morass was achieved, it is necessary to work from the present, not the past. We can't undo the "shock and awe", but we can endeavor to do the right thing now. Reconstruction, rehabilitation, etc., is a responsibility now. At the same time, the Iraqis cannot be expected to surrender their rights to self-governance. Their political autonomy must be returned to them quickly. Rebuilding can go on under the leadership of the Iraqi people. More soon on military occupation...

Posted: Fri - September 26, 2003 at 12:10 PM      

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