Bush proves Kerry wrong on Iraq

It's been a triumphant couple of weeks for Bush.

First, as outlined in the 'roadmap to Iraqi sovereignty' of November 2003, he got the UN envoy to assemble an interim Iraqi government and put things on track for June 30.

Next he got the UN to approve his latest resolution on Iraq--the eighth authored by his administration since the removal of Saddam.

And today, Bush conclusively proved that Kerry's Iraq strategy isn't really a strategy at all.

For those who missed it, a few weeks ago, Kerry demanded "internationalization" of Iraq--meaning a greater UN role--meaning more troops and money from France, Russia, Germany, and China. A few days later, he added a NATO role without explaining how the UN and NATO (which doesn't include Russia and China) would work together in Iraq.

While these utterances won critical acclaim from the left, there was little reporting on the fact that Kerry's suggestions were summarily dismissed by French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier.

Describing Iraq as a "black hole", Barnier rejected the possibility of French troops for Iraq.

"It is out of the question," Barnier told Le Monde newspaper. ‘‘There will be no French soldiers in Iraq, not now and not later."

Translation--no troops for Iraq--not under President Bush, not under President Kerry.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, meanwhile, expressed reservations about a NATO role in Iraq.

"I have my doubts as to whether NATO is really the right instrument," said Schroeder.

Today, at the G8 meeting, Bush got French President Chirac to
formally reject a NATO role.

Bush has been saying all along that he didn't expect the nations that boycotted the liberation of Iraq to now turn around and send troops.

Kerry, it turns out is the dreamy idealist, but expect the media to hush this up.