Date:19/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/19/stories/2006061901721004.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

What a surprise!

Nothing illustrates the state of security in Iraq better than the fact that the leader of the most powerful nation in the world had to literally slink into Baghdad, unannounced even to the Prime Minister of the `sovereign' nation.

So much for the success of the war on terror, three years after the fall of Saddam Hussein!

K. Balakesari,
Chennai

Is Iraq a U.S. colony to which its President George Bush can come and go at his whim? Protocol demands that the host country first send out an invitation to the guest.

The sudden visit appears to be a blatant display of might.

It is an insult to the sovereignty and self-respect of Iraqis, and disrespect to accepted international practices.

Idris Hasan,
Bangalore