A BLUNT SELF ASSESSMENT OF UN SECURITY FAILURES IN IRAQ

The report pulls no punches in its condemnation of the UN's lack of security measures, both before the UN went into Iraq last May, and after, when it became clear the UN could become a target there.

The independent panel harshly reprimands two administrators in Baghdad. It says they didn't even take simple precautions such as taping up office windows with blast-resistant film. Officials say 90 per cent of the injuries were caused by flying shards of glass.

The report says it believes UN officials had the mistaken conviction that the UN would not be a target of attack, in spite of clear warnings to the contrary...

Annan did ask UN security co-ordinator Tun Myat of Myanmar to resign. The report criticized him for appearing "oblivious to the developing crisis" in Baghdad. Myat has been on paid leave since November.

To me this story demonstrates that many folks have been/are still slow to accept that the Global War on Terror is (a) actually a war, (b) against a ruthless, soulless enemy and (c) unlike any conflict ever fought.

Here, the United Nations is faulted for believing they would not be a target.

I think it bears asking who is the UN? Simply put, the UN is comprised of representative of the world. It appears much of the world thought the UN was untouchable, that it could just waltz in with its blue flags and all would be well.

But they couldn't and they can't, because they aren't. The bad guys in this conflict don't have any respect for the UN...just as they have no respect for human life.

Has the UN learned? Perhaps the functionaries of Mr. Annan's staff have. But have the member states? This week one might make inquiries in the Phillipines and Uzbekistan.

The lessons seem obvious to me...and in this regard I believe President Bush had some prophetic things to say about this war.

It will not be like any other war.

It will not be quick.

There is no neutral territory - that is what the President meant when he said in this war you are either with us or against us. The UN wanted to believe it was untouchable because it aspires to humanitarian objectives. Didn't make a difference in Iraq. They got bombed, they got out and they are still out.

Those who still don't "get" the scope of the problem haven't been paying attention. Perhaps this list will help...note the differences in the years up to 1995, and the years since. And notice again how the list grows for the years 2001 through 2003.

Me, I hate like hell that the September 11th commission's efforts appear to have become badly politicized. Because we've got a real problem on our hands with the enemy in this war. And politics isn't the answer.