UK Guardian -- Call Off the War

Making his first public statement since Christmas, the US president said he was determined to avoid new conflicts. "This government will continue to lead the world toward more peace," he said. "And we hope to resolve all the situations in which we find ourselves in a peaceful way. That's my commitment."

Mr Bush has a history of dithering. The "axis of angst" that may have disturbed his holiday break comprises Iraq, North Korea and Israel-Palestine. On the latter issue, the Bush administration has gone back and forth repeatedly but has little to show for its efforts.

He has failed to persuade Americans, let alone the wider world, that Iraq poses a significant military threat to the region or to the US. The UN inspections have not been impeded, as Mr Bush predicted they would be, and no evidence has yet been found that Iraq has lied about its weapons programs. In short, Mr Bush lacks just cause. If he means what he says about peace, and if he wants to show brave and decisive leadership, he should persevere with the UN process and call off the war.