Well, it is pretty much a moot point. Basra is surrounded, and Baghdad is in sight, and the fact is there is a full-scale war under way in the land of the Euphrates and the Tigris. It appears probable that Hussein did escape that early blast.

As for a drive for oil and power, while there is always some element of that, there are a lot of other factors in play here. I don't think short and superficial answers serve to understand. There are vectors on both sides of the argument which have a lot of merit -- the fight against tyranny, the probability of WMD, the links to terrorism alleged and/or actual. Oil and power, arguably, are the main reasons the French are taking their position -- Elfin has large contracts with the Hussein government.

But this is a cloud of repetitive signifying in the face of the fact that the tanks are rolling for Baghdad.

I hope they clsoe this out fast -- it could be the end of the week, or it could be months.

A