While we failed to convince many countries that disarming Iraq is the world's problem, we must win their agreement that rebuilding Iraq is the world's responsibility. Our goal must be an Iraq that is whole, secure, free and governed by its own people. Most experts agree that will take years and tens of billions of dollars. The U.S. must lead this effort, but it is profoundly in our interest that others share this burden. And we should involve the U.N. as quickly as possible, while avoiding an open ended American military administration. Failure to do so could turn us from liberators into occupiers and make us a target for malcontents around the world.
We also must show a consistent commitment to building a secure peace between Israelis and Palestinians, to supporting democratic reform throughout the Middle East and to helping lift people throughout the region out of poverty and into hope.
By refusing to disarm, a defiant Saddam has made the fateful choice between war and peace. Let us make sure that in winning the war, we also win the peace.