Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

Matthew Dulin         Geronimo Rodriguez 
Shaun Salnave          Cara Sarelli          Lisa Street

What a nice gesture

When President Bushis bullying tactics failed with the Security Council, war advocates were glad to see he had the guts to throw out efforts to get U.N. approval and hit Iraq as soon as he could get out of his high chair.

If Bush can ignore the Security Council, it seems nothing the United Nations does really matters anymore. After Bushis declaration of war, members of the Security Council made hardly any efforts to ease tension between national leaders against war and those in Bushis corner.

But when the Security Council agreed Thursday to free billions of dollars of Iraqis oil revenue to send food, medicine and other supplies to civilians hit by the war with Iraq, world leaders showed they do care about whatis happening. It also highlights the fact that decisions can be reached without political bickering and last-minute pleading.

Furthermore, a Reuters report stated that about 60 percent of Iraqis 26 million civilians rely on rations from the seven-year-old oil-for-food program.

With their country at war, this move should improve their well-being, and might prove vital to those already suffering from Saddam Husseinis hold on government services.

Considering that Bush gave the go-ahead without their approval, these leaders could have given the war a cold shoulder and sat on their hands until the smoke cleared.

Obviously, some leaders may be looking to preserve what they might have at stake in the war. But the resolution just shows that, whether they want to fight or not, the world leaders wonit let this war get out of hand.

The gesture also seems to be something of a starting point to healing wounds Bush may have inflicted when he dismissed its influence. It almost lets the world know for the first time that the United Nations does indeed know a war is going on.

This is what our leaders should be doing as soldiers are dying and history is being written: No childrenis games, no easing bruised egos and no political jargon.

The Security Council may have stepped aside to let Bush go out and play, but it fully realizes that the world still needs it to make decisions.

And just because Bush pushed his way to war doesnit mean the United Nations wonit have a relationship with the United States after the war.

After the war, maybe Bush will even find time to get reacquainted with the way the United Nations works.
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