In my post above, Bobert, I outline what has to happen before the various parties will simultaneously declare that Israel has a right to exist.

After everything that Saddam Hussein has said on the subject, and after everything that he has done, what do you think would make him change his mind with regard to Israel.

If you go through the list of countries and factions I've detailed as representing the "interested parties in the region. For each mark down what each wants, who relies on who for support, who trusts who, which regard which as rivals or enemies. You will deduce that collectively, there is precious little common ground among them.

Add to this, an Iraq armed with WMD, including a nuclear capability and your chance of ever achieving a peaceful settlement in the middle east dissappears. What you will have is a nuclear stand-off, and a return to a sort of regional cold war with the Arab nations lining up behind Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

Since 11th September, 2001, I do not believe that any American Administration has looked so long and so hard at the middle east in an attempt to fathom a way through the mess, and get a real peace process underway.

The prospect of Iraq acquiring WMD required action to be taken. Your President called the United Nations attention to the potential danger and required it to act - It did, and results are forthcoming.

A new resolution is required, the designated Chairman of UNMOVIC agrees to that, and that it is pointless to send his teams to Iraq until their new mandate is clearly accepted.

The stance being taken by France, is viewed by some as being the voice of caution and moderation. It should always be remembered when assessing anything said by the French, that it is based on the premise, that what is right/beneficial for France, is right/beneficial for the world. France was the country who sold the country with the third largest oil reserves in the world the technology and components to build a nuclear reactor (the one the Israeli's took out before it could become operational)- what did they think Iraq was going to use it for? They are perfectly prepared to pour petrol on the fire in the hope that they will profit once the flames are extinguished.

Where we differ Bobert, is that I believe your President and his advisors have read the situation accurately and are acting accordingly in a responsible manner.