Clemenceau was guided by national

self-interest. His ultimate objective was to pursue France's interests

in the narrowest sense. In the process, he laid the foundation for a terrible

peace that only served to set the stage for another horrific world war.

Ferdinand Foch, who had commanded the allied armies during World War One,

on learning of the terms of the peace Germany was compelled to sign, prophetically

predicted, "This is not a peace agreement. Rather, it is an armistice

for 20 years." Twenty years later, Adolf Hitler invaded Poland and

World War Two began.

The lessons of history are

important as the international community debates the future of Iraq after

the demise of Saddam Hussein. On the one side are the nations who believe

that the United Nations should play the leading role in the postwar reconstruction

of Iraq. On the other side are the nations who believe that the United

States and its coalition partners should reconstruct this society as a

fledgling democracy with the UN as a supporting partner in this effort.

Before taking one side or the

other, perhaps we should consider other successful efforts to rebuild

war-torn nations while moving them on the path toward democracy. Two examples

stand out: Germany and Japan. In both instances, the United States played

a leading role in reconstructing these war-torn societies. In both instances,

nations with aggressive pasts became vibrant democracies and were successfully

integrated into the international community of peaceful nations.

Critics contend that Iraq has

no democratic tradition and America therefore has no right to impose one.

Neither Germany nor Japan had democratic traditions before the end of

World War II. In both instances, many doubted that these aggressor nations

could renounce their violent pasts. That they did so was a tribute to

American leadership in forging the institutions necessary to promote prosperity

through the free exchange of ideas.

As Frederick the Great once

wisely noted, "What is the good of experience if one does not reflect?"

As the international community reflects on the future prospects of Iraq,

the examples of Germany and Japan should form a road map that will enable

statesmen to work together to transform an aggressor nation into one whose

wealth can promote peace and prosperity throughout a turbulent part of

the world.

In the process, those who would

use Iraq to further their own interests, as France used Germany after

the First World War, should step aside in the greater interest of international

peace and security. While some may resent the American presence on the

world stage, the German and Japanese examples demonstrate how a great

nation can use its power to make the world a safer place for democracy.

In 1258, the Mongols entered

Baghdad not as liberators, but as conquerors. Within 10 years, however,

they were building mosques as a consequence of an historic conversion

to the Islamic faith.

In 2003, Americans entered

Baghdad not as conquerors, but as liberators. If America leads a coalition

of the willing that includes the United Nations, within 10 years it is

conceivable that Iraqis could undergo an historic conversion to the ideas

and principles of democratic self-government while maintaining their deepest

beliefs in their Islamic faith.

Such an outcome could demonstrate

to the world that outlaw regimes can become law-abiding members of an

international community dedicated to the pursuit of peace and prosperity.

Tony Pattiz

Peachtree City