Free Republic

...Last week in London, President Jacques Chirac admitted that getting rid of Saddam "may well have been good idea" — then added a big "but" about the wisdom of early elections in Iraq. His argument for delay was based on the claim that he wanted "broader participation" in the elections.... The camp of Saddam nostalgics, including Chirac and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, have... portrayed the hostage-takers and head-choppers who terrorize parts of Iraq as "la resistance" and insisted that they should have a place in shaping the future of the country.... With Bush re-elected, chances of sabotaging Iraq's elections vanished....

22 Feb 2003 16:06 Iraqi Turcoman minority urges Turkey to keep out By Sebastian Alison ARBIL, Iraq, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Iraq's Turcoman ethnic minority, whose protection Turkey often cites as a key reason for sending troops into northern Iraq, urged Turkey on Saturday to keep out, saying such a move would be "baseless". With a U.S.-led attack on Iraq to force out President Saddam Hussein an increasing possibility, Turkey has already sent some troops to the self-governed Kurdish territory in northern Iraq. Turkey has a large Kurdish minority near the Iraqi border, and is keen to establish a buffer...