Bad timing

The Mail on Sunday newspaper published what it called a (Secret plan to quit Iraq) written by Defense Secretary John Reid for Tony Blair. Leaking it out two days after the explosions happened in London may give an impression, to the terrorists, that they achieved something through their criminal deed.

It is normal to have debates on different issues in democratic societies, like the British. But narrow minded terrorists will view it as a victory. The question is "Wasn't it better to prevent or delay publishing this paper?" Since Mr. Reid said:

"This is but one of a number of papers produced over recent months covering various scenarios. We have made it plain we will stay in Iraq for as long as is needed. No decisions on the future of UK forces have been taken."

So there were several other papers which nobody heard about. Again, why leaking out this one now?

No clue should be given to the terrorists about the future plans. They are looking for any kind of information to use in their propaganda. Good information in the same article drew my attention which says:

"According to a BPIX survey for The Mail on Sunday, 52 per cent of Britons think UK troops should return home only when Iraq is a peaceful democracy, which could take years. Eighteen per cent said our soldiers should return immediately and 23 per cent said they should withdraw in six months."

But the terrorists are not ready to deal with these results & simply ignore them.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said in his first Commons statement after the bomb attacks in London:

"We are united in our determination that our country will not be defeated by such terror but will defeat it and emerge from this horror with our values, our way of life, our tolerance and respect for others, undiminished."

This loses its authenticity when put together with the paper above.

Publishing this paper could be viewed as an indication, to the planners & implementers of the bomb attacks, that the British government complies with their devilish will.

President Bush is more decisive when he said:

"We will continue to take the fight to the enemy, and we will fight until this enemy is defeated."

And

"…together with our allies, we're on the offense, and we will stay on the offense."

Additional consideration should be paid to the ideological foundations which nurture this destructive conduct. It is not enough to deal with the suicidal bombers, but dealing with the nest which spawns their ideology is more important. This takes me back to what I called "Educational Rehabilitation" which the people in the Mid East needs a lot. For example, the US administration is still hesitant in dealing toughly with the Saudis.

It seems that it is Iraq's bad luck to be a theatre of struggles for the last quarter century. The most recent is choosing it to be the central front in the war on terror, as President Bush said:

"In the war on terror, Iraq is now a central front. The terrorists fight in Iraq because they know that the survival of their hateful -- hateful ideology is at stake. They know that as freedom takes root in Iraq, it will inspire millions across the Middle East to claim their liberty, as well."

So Iraqis should pay for the liberty of Mid East people. Other nations in the region would not face radical changes like the one taking place now in Iraq. They will go through peaceful changes by learning the Iraqi lesson (It is disgusting!!!)

Mr. Bush said:

"To help Iraqis build a free nation, we have a clear plan with both a military track and a political track."

But what about the economic track Mr. President!