US Senator praises Turkish soldier

They believe that the United Nations represents them and gives them a voice in decision making in a way that the United States cannot.

They know that their own citizens resent US unilateralism and do not want their soldiers operating under American command.

They want their troops to be perceived as part of a UN-sponsored international coalition to rebuild Iraq rather than as part of an American occupation force.

They believe that Iraq was and remains an international problem and they are reluctant to legitimize U.S. control over Iraq’s land, oil or citizens.

The pressure is building on the Bush administration to stabilize Iraq:

The UN headquarters bombing has forced the reduction of UN and relief organization personnel in Iraq, thereby placing an even greater humanitarian assistance burden on the United States.

Persistent bombing and sabotage has eroded Iraqi respect for the United States and trust in our promises for a better future.

The death toll of American soldiers since "the end of major hostilities" on May 1 has exceeded that of the original invasion in March.

Many Americans who supported the war are now questioning the occupation. A recent Newsweek poll found that 69 percent of the American public is concerned that we are getting "bogged down" in Iraq.