Posted on: Thursday, September 16, 2004

EDITORIAL
Chance for peace in Iraq slipping away

In the latest example of a disturbing trend of events in Iraq, the Bush administration has asked Congress to redirect $3.5 billion targeted for rebuilding Iraq into security and electoral programs.

The sad thing is that spending on security represents a form of running in place. The extra money will protect lives and property, but it will not move Iraq down the road to stability.

In addition to shifting toward a focus on security over rebuilding, the United States has shifted tactics in its battle with insurgents.

Increasingly, the military is relying on airstrikes that protect American lives but at the cost of greater civilian destruction.

This inevitably feeds the growing resistance to the presence of the United States.

In fact, it is fatuous to argue that stepping up security forces and air strikes will solve the problem of terrorists and insurgents. In many ways, it appears to have the opposite effect.

Our only hope to get out of Iraq with our reputation and goals intact is to see a secure, economically viable and peaceful nation emerge. That goal seems to be slipping away.