PAUL JOHNSON DIXIT

”The task of rebuilding a decent society will have to begin from the roots. But miracles are not unknown, especially in the Middle East, which invented them. Perhaps a great nation-builder will appear from Iraq’s silent millions, a creator and justiciar whom the Americans and British can support.
I trust they will do all they can to keep out the troublemakers who have tried to maintain Saddam in power, especially France, which has signed $60 billion-worth of contract with him, and Russia, whose policy aim is to keep the oil price, and with it the value of Russia’s oil exports, as high as possible. Putin and Chirac stand in the lowest rank of the hierarchy of villains – petty creatures. Chirac’s fingers itch for the till; indeed, he may well end his days in jail. But for the present his strong suit is humbug, and his appeal to the very worst instincts of the French – posturing, cultural and moral pride, verbal fantasising and grandiose delusions – has put him in the line of those political mountenbanks like Louis Philippe and Napolean III who briefly enjoyed the favour of the streets. Like them, he will end up here when the French turn against him.”

Good old Johnson!