April 11, 2003 - When Louis XVI contemplated the collapse of his government in 1792 the king is said to have predicted that chaos would follow with this well remembered epigram. Indeed the prediction came true as the rule of the monarchy was replaced with the rule of the mob and the Terror presided over by Madame Guillotine. The words uttered in 18th Century Paris would be as apt had they not been heard then but saved until April 2003 and spoken first in Baghdad. We have seen the flood of anarchy that follows the deposition of a tyrant on our television screens, first in Basra and then in the Iraqi Capitol and then in Kirkut and Mosel. Statues have fallen as the population encouraged and assisted by the coalition forces cleansed their public squares of the symbols of the Ba’athist regime. While coalition forces stood by the celebration in the name of freedom gave way to riot in the name of license. Government buildings and the homes of Iraqi Aristocrats were looted and sacked. Even the hospitals have been sacked of medicines and medical supplies. The license to appropriate property has spread to shops and private property as imposed order gave way to anarchy while coalition soldiers watched. Asked about the chaos and the implied criticism that the US army was merely watching General Brooks replied that the coalition was not there to impose its will on the population and suggested that order and security would be the responsibility of the Iraqi population.

The next question in this mornings press briefing concerned the oil fields. General Brooks went into great detail describing the efforts that the coalition has made to provide security and reconstruction of those facilities in the south and the steps being taken to assess, repair and secure the oil production facilities newly brought under allied control in the north. The tolerance for license in the cities will not be extended to the oil fields. In those areas the coalition will impose order and security.
Meanwhile retired General Jay Garner, Secretary Rumsfeld’s designated Viceroy, has yet to enter the country or reveal a plan for an interim government. Assistant Secretary Wolfowitz told Congress yesterday that the plan would evolve “when we get on the ground.''
The fact is we are on the ground. The United States military is the only sheriff in town and the new sheriff is merely watching the flood of anarchy deluge the Iraqi people. We prepared and executed an effective plan for war. Apparently we are unprepared with a plan for peace.