After all, we didn't bring democracy to Germany in 1945; Hitler destroyed democracy there first.

Europeans are familiar with terrorism and violence. We have not experienced a true conflict on our soil in a hundred years, and especially not one that involved 3,000 dead.

We believe we are creating the beginning of a new world order coming out of the collapse of the US-Soviet antagonisms.

The Iraqi elections were an important first step.

We have never recognized that Iran lives in a dangerous neighborhood. And it's not surprising that they want some protection. We have not been forthcoming about explaining a security relationship for the region, in which Iran can feel secure and thus maybe willing to do something.

If Iraq were to descend into chaos, the Europeans would feel the effects just as much as we would.

But the central point is that any campaign against Iraq, whatever the strategy, cost and risks, is certain to divert us for some indefinite period from our war on terrorism.