The devastation on 9/11 and also bombing of US interests in Kenya, Tanzania, etc. are certainly the terrorists' acts. This is why the whole world joined hands with the American Administration to fight terrorism. But unfortunately, Bush Administration squandered the opportunity by defying the UN and attacking Iraq. The US and the UK deliberately destroyed a UN recognised state and its government. A government may be cruel or despot, there are several of such governments in the world, but no other member of the UN has the authority to remove that regime and declare the members of such a regime as criminals. Under what and whose authority, the US and the UK have declared Saddam and his associates criminals and have been arresting them and killing them? Has the UN declared Saddam and his associates as criminals and persona non-grata in Iraq? If not, then why the UN is not raising these issues formally? It is amazing that UNSC gave recognition to US sponsored Governing Council in Iraq.

The imaginary threat of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction boiled the inner mass of the heads of some leaders for some unacceptable reasons. For Bush Administration, the possible reason could be its fear that Saddam might one day attack Israel; so the threat must be removed. But Tony Blair involvement seems to be his blind personal attachment to Bush ignoring the strong opposition of his people and also that of large majority of people of the world. The obsession of these two leaders about Saddam's imaginary weapons of mass destruction led to the destruction of a UN member; it's people lost their sovereignty that they have been enjoying from time immemorial. Who is responsible for this disaster? The conscious people of the world are raising their voices. It is not only Dr. Kelly, hundreds of American and British soldiers have lost their lives, but for what and for whose benefit? They are still dying in the desert of Iraq. The American and the British families affected by such deaths have started protesting and indeed seriously questioning the very purpose and motive of these leaders who led their countries to an unnecessary and indeed devastating war.

The leader of the US, UK, Australia and Spain are in the dock. Serious political and moral questions have been raised. The very basis of the war -- imminent threat from Saddam -- was imaginary. The blame is being put on the Intelligence Services of these countries. But as the truth is emerging -- the Intelligence Services put the words like "would", "could" but these were later reportedly magnified by the words like "mammoth" and "massive" (Ref: Andrew Wilkie, former Intelligence man of Australia). It was the political leaders who reportedly "sexed up" the intelligence reports (Andrew Gilligan's report to BBC). These leaders put their own countries and their people into serious security risks. Serious debate and formal inquiry under Lord Hutton have put Prime Minister Blair into serious political crisis. Blair's Communication Director Alastair Campbell has decided to resign and this may lead to further resignations in Blair's government. Blair's future also appears uncertain. Some form of low-key inquiries are also underway in the US Congress against Bush Administration.

These two leaders, ignoring the views of their own people and of the rest of the world went ahead for regime change in Iraq. Now they themselves may soon face "regime change". 69 sixty-nine per cent of the Americans feel that America is now "bogged down" in Iraq. Unfortunately the innocent people of these countries are facing terrorists' attacks and will continue to face "terrorism" because of the misguided approach and acts of their own leaders. The whole world is now in deep crises. None is safe today anywhere in the world. Nine/eleven and subsequent military actions have divided the world into two camps. This is undoubtedly bad for peace and security of the world.

The UN Headquarters in Baghdad was bombed which killed about 20 people including Vieria de Mello, a top UN diplomat. Why should a UN office which was there to help Iraqis be bombed? No amount of reasons can justify such a ghastly attack, but some Iraqis who did this apparently saw UN as a tool in the hands of the US for Iraq's present misfortune and loss of sovereignty -- as the UN could not stop the unjust war and has joined hands with the occupying powers that gave legitimacy to the hand-picked governing council which does not represent Iraqi people.

Let's be fair, frank and truthful and face facts. In order to bring an end to the present madness in Iraq, the US occupation must end. As the situation stands, the US and the UK are being treated by Iraqis as their enemies and the American and British soldiers are being killed almost everyday. The Iraqis have been openly asking the US and the UK forces to leave Iraq. Even the shiites in Najaf blamed Americans for the death of their religious leader who died in a serious bomb blast that killed another 90 or so. The reason appears to be that he was "reluctantly" cooperating with Americans through the Governing Council of Iraq. It seems that there is no other alternative for the US and the UK but to leave Iraq leaving the entire burden on the UN. The UN heavy weights like France, Russia, China and also Germany, India and other countries have reportedly been opposing any UN Resolution that would keep the decision making authority in the hands of the US and the UK.

As a result, Bush Administration is now considering UN peace- keeping forces in Iraq under American command. The latest report of Russian President Putin's support for international forces in Iraq under American command was unfortunate and would certainly damage Russian image in the Middle East. American command will continue to vitiate the environment. The UN must not be a party to the illegal occupation. The UN must fully take over and that would encourage all other member states to send peace keeping troops to Iraq. Such a peace keeping force under the full and strong command of the UN, where there will be no US and UK forces, may bring back the confidence of the Iraqis and come out to support the UN activities. The UN must dissolve the present Governing Council set up by American representative Paul Bremer.

With the withdrawal of the US and the UK occupation forces and dissolution and departure of the present unrepresentative Governing Council, the normalcy would return and security restored in Iraq. The UN then can establish a mechanism in consultation with the Iraqi people to have the general election in the near future to establish a democratic government. Such a step will establish democracy in Iraq and spare the lives of the American and British soldiers. This should be gracefully accepted by the US as this would also fulfil one of the stated US objectives -- "establishment of democracy in Iraq".

Muslehuddin Ahmad is a former Secretary and Ambassador and presently the Vice Chancellor (designate) of Presidency University.