Attack will be counterproductive

THE bombers may well find that their choice of target is counter-productive. Not the United States, the instrument of Saddam Hussein’s removal, but the United Nations, which had not sanctioned the invasion and had only recently set up a mission to help to rebuild the country.

The most deadly attack in Baghdad since the end of the war, resulting in the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Special Representative, was no doubt intended to shake the commitment of other governments to rebuilding Iraq. But it has very likely done the opposite and strengthened the shaky coalition for rebuilding. There has hardly been such a united statement of international shock and commitment since September 11 itself.

All the same, despite the affirmations of solidarity

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