But I will only take criticism on this from them who demonstrate a constant record of support for human rights.

What does that mean Gareth? That only people who think that the preemptive attack on Iraq was justified can criticise it when it goes wrong?

I believe that the end result of this war will probably be worse for Iraq and for the world than the end result we could have achieved if we had avoided it. Just as I think that the end result in South Africa or Chile would probably have been a lot worse if we had attempted to overthrow their repulsive regimes by armed invasion.

There are some good results of the invasion, true enough. But there are also some outcomes which are far from good. And the full tally is a long way from finished, good or bad. I think that it is likely that in the final analysis it is only too likely thta, taking everything into account, more harm will have been done than good achieved.

That does not mean indifference towards human rights abuses. As you say, Gareth, we do not live in a perfect world.