WP: Bush's Address to the U.N. (Live on Line discussion)

[huckleberry]

Will President Bush's address to the United Nations General Assembly convince its members to join the reconstruction effort in Iraq? Would the inclusion of the U.N. help or hinder the United States' goals in the region? Have international relations tempered since the U.N. Security Council's rejection of a war resolution last fall?

Washington Post Associate Editor Robert G. Kaiser was online to discuss President Bush's address to the U.N.

Stamping Ground, Ky.: Do you foresee any remote possibility that the rehashed rhetoric put forth by the president before the world community at today's speech to the U.N. will sway any nation in attendance towards contributing to the reconstruction/security of Iraq?

Robert Kaiser: Good afternoon, and welcome to a discussion of President Bush's speech to the United Nations. I've already received dozens of good questions. They are unusually one-sided, in the spirit of this one. Our president has a lot of critics, iet would seem.

In reply to this one, I'd have to say no. We are quite alone now on Iraq. We have a handfull of allies in our coalition, but most countries of the world seem disinclined to join our effort, and I don't see this speech changing that.

more at

http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/03/sp_politics_kaiser092303.htm

[alfredo]

1. Bush didn't seem drunk, but then it was early.

Looks like there wasn't much support for bush. Good.

[izzie]

2. I heard the first part. Hearing is better than seeing, I am really into

seeing things so to watch this man sends me over the edge. I heard not one thing new and all the old lies but then I did not hear it all.

[lindashaw]

3. Nothing changed. We're still screwed.

[lebkuchen]

4. Reconstruction?

When I hear Bush speak, I only hear "destruction."

Look to Chirac for calls to reconstruct Iraq. Bush's message is more death and despair.