THUS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TURKS:

U.S. may withdraw its U.N. resolution (Bill Nichols, 10/9/2003, USA TODAY)

[A] U.S. official heavily involved with negotiations on the resolution said the vote by Turkey's parliament Tuesday to send thousands of troops to reinforce U.S. soldiers in Iraq has caused the administration to consider whether another divisive Security Council fight over Iraq is worth the effort. [...]

"The goal of this resolution has always been getting expanded international support. The goal has never been passing a resolution," said the U.S. official, who requested anonymity.

"Now we're seeing that countries are willing to help without a resolution and that countries we're negotiating with on the resolution still aren't going to help even if it passes. Those two facts tell us to work on expanding the international coalition to help the people of Iraq and not to get bogged down in pushing for a resolution."

If the administration does pull the resolution, it would mark another diplomatic defeat at the United Nations for Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Isn't it far more of a defeat for the UN than for Mr. Powell?

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 9, 2003 9:40 AM