Nations of Goodwill

The President had a good speech to the UN (thanks to Josh for the link); some conservatives won't be happy since he didn't give Kofi the middle-digit salute and give every UN person 72 hours to leave the country, but he laid out a solid case for his foreign policy. Here's the one telling sound bite I heard on the way over-

The primary goal of our coalition in Iraq is self-government for the people of Iraq, reached by orderly and democratic process. This process must unfold according to the needs of Iraqis, neither hurried, nor delayed by the wishes of other parties. And the United Nations can contribute greatly to the cause of Iraq self-government. America is working with friends and allies on a new Security Council resolution, which will expand the U.N.'s role in Iraq. As in the aftermath of other conflicts, the United Nations should assist in developing a constitution, in training civil servants, and conducting free and fair elections.

Iraq now has a Governing Council, the first truly representative institution in that country. Iraq's new leaders are showing the openness and tolerance that democracy requires, and they're also showing courage. Yet every young democracy needs the help of friends. Now the nation of Iraq needs and deserves our aid, and all nations of goodwill should step forward and provide that support.

There be the acid test. How many nations of goodwill are there? Who'll do the right thing rather than the realpolitik thing?

The other interesting point is the pace of Iraqi elections. If they are sped up, somebody's favorite puppet might rise to the top. By setting up a bottom-up approach, we make more likely that the people elected represent the Iraqi people rather than someone who wormed his way into the good graces of the people supervising the early elections. We need that pace, not one hurried by the wishes of the French.