Senator Kerry has a plan to bring the world into the process of rebuilding a nation and erecting a responsive and responsible political structure in Iraq. It is no secret. He has published it. It starts with recognizing that whether on not it participated in the military effort to oust Saddam Hussein every nation; great or small; Western, Asian or Moslem has a vital stake in the outcome in Iraq. It continues with recognizing that every nation should be given the opportunity to participate in building the kind of nation on the ashes of Iraq that makes the world a safer and more secure place. It builds on that recognition by convening an international conference – a summit of the great powers and most directly affected nations – as partners in the process of reconstructing the economic resources and political structure that will lift Iraq up from its descent into chaos.

We are faced with a choice. Will we continue a policy that excludes all but a few from participating in the process or will we include those nations with the most direct stake in the outcome to work with us and each other in creating a new Iraq in the cradle of civilization. The West has been this way before with an exclusive British Mandate that labored mightily and brought forth a united Iraq – an amalgam of separate interests united by the Ba`athist regime. Now we are intent on imposing an Americanized neo-colonial regime in Baghdad.

Turkey is our NATO partner and is knocking on the door of the European Union seeking entry as the West’s economic partner. It has a direct interest in the development of a stable and responsive Iraq. Should it not have a seat at the planning table? Jordan is our steadfast ally in the quest for a peaceful and productive Middle East. Should it not have a seat at the planning table? Russia, itself beset with international terrorist assaults, has a more direct stake in the outcome than do we. Should President Putin, into whose eyes President Bush looked to find his soul, not have a seat at a conference planning to build a new Iraq from the ashes of the old?

If, as Secretary of State Powell said, we seek no acquisition of land other than the space necessary to bury our dead why can’t we make our deeds match our words? Senator Kerry’s first step; to convene an international summit to plan for the future of the conquered territory; is the right step for the world, for Iraq, and for America. If the past 18 months has taught us anything it is that the path to a stable and peaceful Iraq is not to be an easy one. It has also taught us that the path is too difficult and too fraught with danger for us to travel alone.